Autumn has a way of bringing every pair of tights back into service at once. The everyday black pair, the lovely lace tops, the sparkly ones waiting for a sufficiently good invitation. Suddenly, the hosiery drawer has a social life again.
Knowing how to wash tights and stockings helps you look after the pairs you enjoy wearing. It needn’t involve an elaborate laundry ritual. A little care when washing, drying and getting dressed is a sensible place to start.
This guide covers everyday fashion hosiery. Always follow the care instructions supplied with your particular pair, especially for embellished designs and hold-ups.
Read the label before the first wash
Keep the packaging until you have checked the washing instructions. Hosiery does not always have a convenient little label sewn inside, and the box may be where the useful information lives. A quick photograph means you can recycle the packaging without losing it.
Check the washing method, temperature and drying instructions. A hand-wash instruction means washing by hand; a machine’s programme with the same name is not automatically suitable. If the instructions are missing, ask before experimenting.
Organise your pairs by care needs as well as colour. Your plain work tights and decorative evening stockings might share a drawer, but that doesn’t make them laundry twins.
How to hand wash tights and stockings
Where the label allows hand washing, keep things gentle:
- Use a clean basin with cool water, or the temperature specified on the packaging, and a small amount of suitable mild detergent.
- Wash similar colours together. Ease the hosiery into the water and move it gently rather than scrubbing or stretching it.
- Rinse carefully in clean water until the detergent is removed.
- Press out excess water without twisting. Lay the pair on a clean towel and roll it gently to absorb moisture.
Detach stockings from their suspender belt first. It is much easier to handle a delicate leg without clips and straps joining the party.
Can tights go in the washing machine?
Only if the care instructions permit it. Use a mesh hosiery bag, the recommended temperature and a suitable gentle cycle. Keep them away from garments with exposed hooks, zips or rough trims, and avoid cramming the bag full.
A laundry bag offers protection, but it does not turn a hand-wash-only item into a machine-washable one. For a mixed collection, keeping a separate small basket for delicate pieces makes sorting much less of a guessing game.
Give lace, sparkle and hold-up tops a little attention
When choosing a statement pair such as our Black Sparkly Fishnet Tights, think about where you will keep them between wears. A separate pouch stops decorative pieces becoming tangled with other hosiery. Untangle patiently rather than pulling two caught sections apart.
With hold-ups, follow any specific instructions for the grip bands as well as the fabric. Avoid improvised cleaning tricks or attempts to make the band stickier with household products. If the grip changes, check the manufacturer’s advice rather than assuming a hotter wash will fix it.
The Burgundy Lace Top Back Seam Hold-Ups combine sheer black legs with burgundy lace and matching seams. They are a lovely example of why the whole garment deserves attention, from the decorative top down to the toe.
Allow time for gentle drying
Follow the label’s drying instructions and allow hosiery to air dry. For pieces that require flat drying, arrange them on a clean, dry towel without stretching them out. Keep them away from direct heat, and put them away only when completely dry.
Make laundry part of the preparation for an evening out, rather than discovering your only suitable pair is still wet as the taxi arrives. A second pair you already know fits is a useful wardrobe extra, especially when hosiery is part of your everyday dressing routine.
Store neatly and dress gently
Fold each dry pair loosely and keep matching stockings together. Small drawer dividers or smooth fabric pouches make it easier to find the pair you want without rummaging past bra hooks and jewellery.
Before putting hosiery on, remove rings that might catch and check for rough nail edges. Gather the leg towards the toe, position the foot and ease the fabric upwards a little at a time. Avoid hauling the whole pair into place from the waistband or lace top.
If a pair repeatedly feels overstretched, revisit its size guide. Our plus size hosiery guide is useful for comparing fit needs across different styles.
A few hosiery care questions
Can I wash stockings with lingerie sets?
Only where their care instructions and colours are compatible. Detach stockings from straps, protect them from fastenings and wash separately when the garments need different treatment.
Should I use fabric conditioner?
Do not add it unless the garment’s care instructions specifically allow it. Keep the routine simple and follow any separate guidance for hold-up bands.
Does thicker hosiery always need less care?
No. Thickness alone does not tell you how to wash a garment. Its fibres, construction and decorative details matter too; check the instructions for that pair.
What should I check before buying another pair?
Start with the size guide, the intended outfit and the care instructions. Read our Delivery & Returns policy before opening a new pair: hosiery that has been opened or tried on is non-returnable under the shop’s current policy.
Ready to refresh the drawer? Browse the hosiery collection, or use our autumn tights guide to choose your next everyday or evening pair. Then give it a little space in the drawer. Even the sparkly ones deserve a quiet night in.