How To Care For Your Gymnastics Leotard

Posted on - 1st February 2022

If you want to make sure that your gymnastics leotard lasts for as long as possible, you’ve got to make sure to care for it properly – just like any other piece of sports equipment.

There are a few steps you can take in order to do this – both in terms of care of and cleaning your gymnastics leotard. In this article, we’ll be going over a few of these steps. Our hope is that by following them, you can make sure your new gymnastics leotard lasts and looks good for as long as possible.

Olympique manufactures high quality gymnastics wear for both practice and competition. For over 20 years, we’ve been providing athletes and dancers with beautiful gymnastics wear, made of lightweight, breathable material, manufactured in the UK. 

Cleaning Your Leotard

It’s important to remember that Gymnastics Leotards are often made of highly elastic yet fragile synthetic materials, such as nylon or spandex. Because of this, it’s important to take extra care when cleaning your leotard. 

The Spin Cycle

In practical terms, leotards are cleaned in a similar way to swimwear. Cotton Blends and Nylon based  leotards should be cleaned in the washing machine at a cold temperature on a medium to gentle setting. This will ensure that your leotard’s colours don’t run or the material doesn’t wear out. Do not use fabric softeners as part of the spin cycle, as fabric softeners can weken the adhesives that bind leotards together.

Once the leotard has been through the spin cycle, you should lay it out flat on a surface and pat it dry with a towel. After a while patting the leotard, you should hang the leotard from a thick plastic hanger. This will allow the leotard to dry out naturally.

Finally, do not – under any circumstances – iron your leotard. Heat from the iron can melt the leotard or cause serious damage. Likewise, you don’t want to put your leotard in the dryer, as this can have a similar effect as the iron. 

Removing Stains

For removing stains, there are a number of products you can use. White vinegar, for example, is fantastic at whitening material and for removing grass stains. Meanwhile, peroxide is the most effective way of removing blood stains. Oil stains can be removed with chalk or salt, and coffee stains can be removed with a mixture of water and baking soda.

It’s important to note, however, that it’s best to use less rather than using more, and after you’ve applied some it’s advisable to use water to wash the remaining material away before applying more. This is because these materials can potentially stain a gymnastics leotard by themselves. As such, if you’re feeling unsure or uncomfortable using them, it’s best to have a more confident friend or family member do it for you. 

General Use

As well as these cleaning tips, you should also think about the following points when performing and practising in your leotard. Following these tips can ensure that your leotard lasts and looks good for as long as possible. 

Tip 1. Hairspray

The alcohol and other chemicals in certain hairsprays can affect the leotard’s fabrics. As such, if you’re applying hairspray, it’s a good idea to cover your leotard with a towel or a coat before  you apply the hairspray. 

Tip 2. Deodorant

Deodorant can cause colour bleed, fade, or even a noticeable bleaching when applied to certain fabrics. As such, it is important to ensure that, if you must apply a deodorant while wearing the leotard,  you use one that doesn’t contain Aluminium Chlorohydrate.

Tip 3. Colour Transference

Colour Transference occurs when a bright coloured fabric is placed  over a dark one, leading the colour from the dark fabric to transfer over to the light one – ruining the look of the leotard. While this is a common issue in the industry, Olympique’s leotards are manufactured in such a way that it is a relative rarity for us, even after extended use. 

Have More Questions? Contact Olympique Today

For more information about caring for gymnastics leotard or our range of gymnastics leotards, improve your shopping experience and get in touch with Olympique today. 

We offer a wide range of excellent gymnastics wear – from skating dresses, long sleeve leotards, to gym training leotards. View our catalogue today to see our entire range of gymnastics clothes.