A Simple Guide to Caring For Your Favourite Athleisure

There's no better feeling than finding that perfect piece of clothing. You know the one, the pair of leggings that fits like a second skin, the pullover that’s so buttery-soft you never want to take it off. It’s the piece you reach for again and again because it just makes you feel good. When you find an item like that, you want to hold onto it forever, keeping it just as perfect as the day you first brought it home.

Investing in high-quality, beautifully made athleisure from Soft & Sleek is the first step. The second is knowing how to care for it. The good news is that it’s not nearly as complicated as you might think. It’s not about spending hours on laundry; it’s about creating a few simple, mindful habits that will protect the fabric, fit, and feel of your favourite pieces for years to come.

Think of this as a simple guide to turning your favourite items into true "forever pieces." With a little bit of love, that buttery-soft feel and perfect fit are here to stay.      

It All Starts with the Wash: A Gentler Approach  

The washing machine can be a harsh environment for the advanced fabrics used in high-performance athleisure. The key is to be gentle. A few small tweaks to your routine can make a world of difference in preserving the integrity of the material.

First, cold is your best friend. We can't stress this enough. High heat is the enemy of elasticity. The delicate fibres (like elastane) that give your leggings that incredible stretch and shape retention can be damaged by hot water. A cold wash (at 30°C or less) cleans your clothes perfectly while protecting those fibres, ensuring your pieces never lose their supportive, figure-hugging fit.

Next, turn everything inside out. Before you toss your leggings or top in the machine, take a second to flip them inside out. This simple step protects the smooth, beautiful outer surface from the friction of the wash cycle. It’s the single best way to prevent pilling and keep the colour looking rich and vibrant.

Also, be mindful of your detergent. Choose a mild, gentle detergent and try to use a little less than you normally would. Harsh chemicals and excessive soap can build up on technical fabrics, trapping odours and breaking down the fibres over time. And please, skip the fabric softener. While it sounds like a good idea, fabric softeners can clog the pores of the material, which ruins its moisture-wicking properties and can leave it feeling slick or greasy.

Finally, wash with like-minded friends. Avoid washing your soft athleisure with heavy, abrasive items like denim, towels, or anything with zippers and buttons. The friction can be brutal on delicate knits. Instead, wash them in a load with other lightweight, synthetic activewear for a much happier (and longer-lasting) result.      

The Dryer is Not Your Friend: Why Air-Drying is Key  

If there is one rule to follow above all others, it’s this: keep your athleisure far away from the high heat of a tumble dryer. That intense, direct heat is the fastest way to destroy the elasticity in the fabric. It literally weakens and damages the spandex fibres, leading to pieces that sag, lose their shape, and no longer offer that supportive, second-skin feel.

The absolute best way to dry your pieces is to air-dry them. Lay your leggings, bras, and tops flat on a drying rack if you can. This helps them retain their shape perfectly without any stretching. If you prefer to hang them, that’s great too—just try to do so in a way that distributes the weight evenly.

We know that here in Scotland, air-drying can sometimes take a little longer, especially on a damp autumn day. To speed things up, you can place your drying rack in a well-ventilated room or near a dehumidifier. You can even place it near a radiator, just not directly on it, as that direct contact can also damage the fabric. It might take a little more patience, but this step alone will extend the life of your favourite pieces exponentially.      

Little Habits That Make a Big Difference  

A few final tips can help keep your pieces in pristine condition between washes. If you’ve had a particularly sweaty workout and can’t wash your clothes right away, try to give them a quick rinse under cold water and let them air out before they go into the laundry basket. This prevents bacteria from setting in and keeps odours at bay.

When it comes to storage, fold, don’t cram. Folding your leggings and tops neatly in a drawer helps them keep their shape. And finally, if you ever notice a little bit of pilling in a high-friction area (like between the thighs), don’t panic! It can happen to even the highest quality fabrics over time. A simple fabric shaver will gently remove any pills and have your pieces looking brand new again.      

Caring for your clothing doesn't have to be a chore. It’s a simple, mindful practice that honours the pieces you’ve chosen to invest in. By following these easy steps, you ensure that your Soft & Sleek favourites will continue to support you, comfort you, and feel incredible for a long, long time.