Washing tights or stockings is just as important as washing underwear - this condition falls under the category of personal hygiene.
The main problem with caring for casual or compression tights is not knowing the rules regarding washing and drying delicate items.
In this article we will tell you whether it is possible to properly wash nylon and compression tights in a washing machine and by hand.
Rules of procedure
Do you know how to properly wash nylon tights? Because it is a thin, soft fabric, many women do not know how to care for it. Therefore, the following recommendations are very relevant.
Do you have a bag for washing tights? If not, then buy it! Nylon laundry bags will become your invaluable assistant when washing any delicate laundry. All you need to do is place the product in your bag and close it with a zipper. This will prevent puffs that often form on the nylon. In addition, you can avoid tangling your stockings.
A few points for proper washing:
- As mentioned above, purchase a laundry net. This is a great helper for washing any delicate laundry.
- Read the information on the label.
- Sort your laundry. Separate the coarse from the fine, the white from the colored. One red sock can turn nude tights pink.
- Do not use fabric softener. It will degrade the quality of elastic materials.
- Avoid bleach. This is a destroyer for nylon.
- Use low temperature. When using modern washing powders, even stubborn stains (for example, shoe marks on the sole) are washed well. High temperatures unnecessarily destroy thin material.
What mode should I use to wash tights?
If the care instructions include the use of a washing machine, the parameters will be indicated. But often the packaging is thrown away without studying the information, in this case the cleaning mode will be standard:
- water temperature – +300С;
- rinses – two;
- spin – 200 rpm. If the minimum mode is 400, the function is disabled;
- time – 30-40 minutes.
These parameters can be set manually or you can set the washing machine to the “Delicate Wash” function; if it is not there, “Silk and Lace” will do.
Manual cleaning method
Despite modern machines being equipped with delicate programs, it is better to wash nylon tights by hand. The most gentle mode will not replace this method. In addition, you do not risk staining the nylon with other things; there is no need to carefully sort the laundry (these preparations will take longer than hand washing itself).
Before washing nylon tights by hand, remove stains. Usually, laundry soap is enough for this.
Important! Tights will last much longer and become softer if you soak them in hair shampoo, leave for a few minutes, and then rinse thoroughly.
Is it possible?
Tights are a specific thing, and when using them, it is important to know exactly about all the rules of care.
Products made from nylon
Tights for everyday wear with a density of more than 20 Denier can definitely be washed in a machine, but to prevent the item from deteriorating, it is important to take into account a number of nuances:
- using the correct washing mode;
- placing laundry in special bags;
- compliance with temperature conditions;
- absence in the drum of the tights machine of things dangerous to their integrity (with locks, zippers, Velcro, etc.).
Thin tights with a small amount of den are washed only by hand. In addition, tights with glued rhinestones, stones and other applications are prohibited from automatic washing.
Compression
Automatic washing of compression tights is permitted, but there are a number of exceptions . An important rule is that if the product has silicone insert rings that are responsible for fixing it on the leg, it is prohibited to place it in a washing machine; in this case, only hand washing is possible.
Also, you should not send medical stockings to the drum if the manufacturer clearly prohibits such actions on the packaging.
The video will show you how to wash and care for compression hosiery:
Read this article to learn how to wash compression stockings.
Process nuances
First, sort your laundry by individual colors. Mixing white clothes with red items can make the entire batch look equally pink. This is unlikely to be the purpose of washing.
Sorting by material is also required - separate wool, cotton, thin underwear and nylon tights. All these products require different temperature conditions.
Previously, it was believed that a washing machine should only work when there was a large amount of dirty laundry. Modern devices are equipped with an automatic dosing function, thanks to which they independently weigh the laundry and use the required amount of water.
Expert opinion
Natalya Osadchaya
Don't know what temperature to set? Look at the label.
If you need to remove shoe marks and other dirt, use a pre-wash. Of course, you will consume a little more water and electricity, but you will cope with the dirt.
Powder or gel? An eternal duel and many opinions. The differences in these detergents are large. The gel is more economical, dissolves at low temperatures, so less quantity is required. Use only the required amount specified by the manufacturer. Follow the rule “the less laundry, the less gel.” For half a load of laundry, half the dose of detergent is enough.
Three situations when it is advisable to use more washing gel:
- a large amount of laundry;
- high degree of pollution;
- high water hardness.
How to wash tights
Synthetic detergent is chosen only for delicate fabrics. It is better in the form of gels - the liquid form does not leave streaks on the surface, rinses well and does not destroy the structure of the fibers. The recommendation is valid for both manual processing and washing in a washing machine.
Dalli is an effective liquid product at an affordable price, suitable for light and colored nylon products
It is better to use gel in accordance with the color of the item. Do not wash with products containing alkali or chlorine; streaks or stains may remain on the material.
You can wash light-colored tights from dyed shoes with laundry soap. The contaminated area is soaped and left for 20 minutes, then washed by hand. If the problem cannot be completely eliminated, the procedure is repeated, but the fabric is immersed in warm water for 2-3 hours, then they use a washing machine or resort to manual cleaning.
We recommend reading: How to wash a bath curtain: in the washing machine and with folk remedies
Shoes often stain the white accessories of girls' wardrobes. You can also wash children's tights with laundry soap or oxygen-based bleaching gel.
Pure is a product approved for treating children's underwear
If the product is dense, use a solution consisting of:
- water – 1 l;
- liquid detergent - 2 tbsp. l.;
- turpentine – 1 tbsp. l.
The item is placed in the liquid for 30-40 minutes. Then rinse it in several waters and hang it on the balcony to remove the smell.
Removing heavy dirt
The most common stains are traces of coffee or tea. The good news is that simply wiping the dirty area with warm water is all it takes. If possible, wash the nylon thoroughly in a warm detergent solution. Add ½ tsp to it. baking soda or the same amount of ammonia (per 1 liter of water). Finally, rinse the fabric thoroughly in cold water.
Warm water also removes stains from blueberries, other fruits, and berries from nylon. But never blow dry the cleaned area as this may leave unsightly marks.
Expert opinion
Irina Kovtun
Fresh chocolate stains can be moistened with saline solution (5 g salt per 100 ml water).
Cocoa will help eliminate glycerin heated to 35°C. After 15 minutes of exposure, rinse the cleaned area with warm water.
Glycerin is also suitable for removing ink stains at home. Apply it as above.
Drying
Wring out tights carefully after washing. There is no need to twist them and roll them into a donut. It is enough to squeeze the product with your hands several times to remove excess moisture.
Then lay the item on a terry towel. Cover the top with the second part of the towel and press down lightly. The towel will absorb all the water. All that remains is to dry the product.
Drying rules:
- A hairdryer and battery are harmful to such fabric. Accelerated drying will cause the material to dry out.
- You can use a hairdryer if you set it to minimum (cool airflow).
- Hang the tights on a trempel in front of an open window, opposite a fan or air conditioner. The draft will quickly do its job.
- You can hang it on a clothesline, but only on a cloudy day. Nylon should not be dried in direct sunlight.
- In the hot summer, immediately after washing, put on your tights, wait 10 minutes and feel free to go outside. Thanks to body heat, they will dry quickly and dry outside. Just put it on a clean body. Nylon quickly absorbs unpleasant odors.
- Lay out the tights on a flat surface. Turn on the iron. place a cotton cloth on top of them, run the iron, setting the sole heating temperature to the minimum.
Drying is the same important procedure as washing. Follow the rules strictly and do not try to experiment
Features of care
If you carefully read the manufacturer's information sheet (in other words, the label), you will find that stockings and tights are made from a mixture of polyamide and elastane. Both materials are synthetic fibers with specific properties, in particular elasticity and strength. Fast drying is another positive aspect.
Important! Synthetic fibers are also sometimes supplemented with natural ones. This creates an ideal combination that combines the best properties of the materials used.
Start in the freezer
Before putting on nylon tights for the first time, lightly soak them, place them damp in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer overnight. This will strengthen the fibers, making the fabric less prone to wrinkles. Don't forget to defrost before wearing.
Alternative ultrasonic washing
Many consider the use of ultrasound to be the best washing option because it is also the most gentle.
To wash nylon tights using an ultrasonic washing machine, you should move the tights into a basin with soapy water, put the ultrasonic device in there and simply press the button.
This washing method is the most effective for nylons with rhinestones, because it prevents them from coming off quickly. It is also suitable for the fair sex who do not want to ruin their brand new manicure.
How to dry tights correctly
Dry on a flat surface; you can use a dryer for this purpose.
First, place two mats for drying dishes.
To prevent the tights from becoming deformed, they are carefully distributed over the surface and left for 1.5-2 hours until the moisture has completely evaporated.
Attention! Do not dry with a hairdryer; hot air can damage the structure of the fibers.
Useful tips
Following the following recommendations will help extend the life of items made from nylon threads:
- use soft SMS for delicate fabrics without aggressive additives;
- can be washed in a washing machine only in compliance with all recommended rules, separately by color and using a special bag;
- to prevent fiber destruction, the water temperature in the washing machine should not exceed +25-300C;
- Do not dry on a hot surface, such as a central heating radiator;
- nylon material is not ironed.