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Spandex appears up in a variety of clothing types. It’s also very easy to care for with a few simple guidelines.
Caring for Spandex
- To retain maximum shape and flexibility, spandex should be hand washed only, using lukewarm water and mild detergent, such as Woolite or Deft.
- Never twist or wring Spandex when washing, but gently knead the garment and rinse thoroughly with cool, clear water.
- Again to retain maximum shape and flexibility, Spandex should not be placed in the dryer. Air dry by either placing on a flat surface.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Avoid ironing Spandex. If you deem ironing to be absolutely necessary, use the lowest temperature setting and place a pressing cloth between the garment and the iron, making sure to iron very quickly (leaving the iron too long in one position, or allowing it to rest directly on the fabric can seriously damage the fabric).
- Do not dry clean Spandex unless the label instructs you to (dry cleaning can temporarily swell the fibers, misshaping the garment. Plus, the fibers tend to hold the odor of dry cleaning solutions).
- NEVER use bleach on Spandex (color safe bleach is okay, as long as the care instructions on your garment do not indicate otherwise).
Judy says
On beige spandex special shoes, blackish stains around the areas where they conform to the toes will not come out with mild soap and water. What can I use to get them clean?
YDUJ says
You have to just hand wash it. There is no other way, unless you want to dry clean it. Using something to scrub it (like a silk scrub, or soft bristle brush) could work, too. Be gentle with spandex.
Barb says
How do you remove stains from 80% nylon 20% spandex material that is supposed to be white?
Thanks.
Melanie says
Barb,
If the garment is stained all-over one color, it is likely either a dye stain from a colored shirt running in the wash or a problem with the whites becoming grey in the wash. If it’s a dye stain, this is the article that you need: How to Remove Bleeding Dyes from Clothing. If the shirt is graying, this is the article that you need: How to Wash Dingy Whites. If the whites are still white, but not as white as they used to be, try this article: How to Brighten Whites. Keep in mind that bleach should not be used on spandex, so always choose the non-bleach option from an article for your spandex. Good luck!