Quick answer
Turn your printed tights inside out, wash them on a cold delicate cycle with a gentle detergent, and always air dry away from direct sunlight to keep the colors bright.
Why prints fade faster than solid colors
Printed designs sit on the surface of the fabric rather than being dyed through the fibers. Friction, heat, and harsh detergents can lift or wear away the print over time. Fabrics like Casall's Toning Touch® are soft and stretchy, which means the print bonds differently than on a rigid textile. Understanding this helps you adjust your wash routine to protect the pattern, not just the base color.
Step-by-step washing guide
- Turn tights inside out before washing: This protects the printed outer surface from direct friction against other clothes and the machine drum. Zip up any zippers or fasten hooks to prevent snagging. Common mistake: washing right-side out exposes the print to abrasion and speeds up fading.
- Use cold water and a gentle cycle: Set your machine to a delicate or hand-wash cycle with cold water (below 30°C / 86°F). Hot water can weaken the print bond and cause colors to bleed. A quick cold rinse without detergent is better than a hot wash if you're short on time.
- Choose a mild, color-safe detergent: Avoid bleach, fabric softeners, and enzyme-based stain removers. A small amount of liquid detergent for delicates or dark colors is ideal. Softeners coat the fibers and can dull the print's gloss. Checkpoint: if the detergent says 'brightening' or 'whitening,' skip it for printed tights.
- Skip the dryer — air dry flat: Heat from a tumble dryer can crack, peel, or fade the print. Instead, lay the tights flat on a clean towel or drying rack in a shaded area. Avoid hanging them by the waistband, which can stretch the elastic. Direct sunlight is another fading culprit; dry indoors or in the shade.
- Wash printed tights separately or with like colors: Mixing with dark jeans or towels that shed lint can transfer dye or fibers onto the print. Wash with other lightweight synthetic activewear in similar shades. Empty
Product spotlight
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Essential Printed Tights - Turtoise Blue: Made from Toning Touch® fabric, a soft performance material with good stretch and high breathability, designed for gym and running. The smooth, glossy surface of this fabric requires gentle care to keep the printed pattern intact during repeated washes.
Essential Printed Tights - Turtoise Blue