An expensive sportswear set, washed incorrectly can lose the very quality that made you choose it in the first place. The fabric stretches permanently, loses its compression, and no longer follows your body the way it did during your first workout. The problem may not be the quality of the fabric, but the way you care for your garment.
Fabrics such as polyamide/elastane, used in most premium sportswear, require a different washing approach than ordinary cotton fabrics — and this is where many people unknowingly shorten the life of their favorite clothes.
Wash at a low temperature
Sports fabrics containing elastane hold up best at around 30°C. Higher temperatures are known to weaken the fabric's elasticity over time and can also cause denser fabrics to shrink.
Turn the garment inside out before washing
This simple habit protects the outer surface of the fabric from rubbing against the washing machine and helps preserve its color for longer, as well as the texture of any prints or logo details.
Use a gentle wash cycle
Intensive spinning and harsh washing increase mechanical stress on elastane fibers. Vigorous hand-wringing and high-speed spinning are not suitable for fabrics containing elastane — a gentler cycle preserves elasticity for longer.
Avoid fabric softeners and bleach
Fabric softeners leave a coating on synthetic fibers that reduces the fabric's ability to wick away moisture — exactly the property that made you choose sportswear in the first place. Bleach, on the other hand, breaks down elastane threads and accelerates the loss of shape.
Never tumble dry
Heat is elastane's main enemy. A tumble dryer on a high-heat setting permanently damages the fabric's elasticity — the material loses its ability to "bounce back" to its original shape after stretching. Air-drying the garment naturally is the only way to fully preserve its 4-way stretch properties.
Ironing — avoid it if possible
If absolutely necessary, use only a low temperature and never iron directly over logo details or prints — the iron's high heat deforms elastane fibers almost as quickly as a tumble dryer.
And one more tip from EX Corde Couture
Every EX Corde Couture design comes with clear care instructions not only on the garment label when you unpack it, but also in the detailed description of each product on the website. Since different fabrics and designs may require slight variations in washing temperature or drying method, the safest approach is always to check the specific instructions for the design you own.
Caring for sportswear isn't complicated, but it does require consistency. Proper washing extends the life of your set, but only if it was designed to last.
