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How to Wash Lululemon Leggings & Clothing

October 28, 2023

Lululemon Athletica is a yoga-inspired apparel company. Based in Canada, the brand sells a variety of workout clothes including jackets, shirts, shorts, and leggings for both men and women.

In addition to clothing, they also manufacture accessories such as yoga mats, bags, hats, headbands, and more.

Taking Care of Lululemon Products

As expected from a well-established brand, their products can be quite costly. Luckily, their price tags are generally backed up by their quality.

In fact, that’s one of their selling points. For instance, the consensus seems to be that their leggings and tops can be worn for several years.

lululemon products

While they don’t offer a lifetime guarantee, as many people claim, they do have a Quality Promise. In other words, they’ll be happy to replace a product if there is an inherent defect in its fabric or construction.

Given how most of their items are on the pricey side, it only makes sense that you’d want to take proper care of them. To put it simply, you want to wash their products with care. Nothing’s worse than ruining a new shirt in the laundry!

Not too sure about how to wash Lululemon apparel? Don’t worry—we will be going over some of the best methods below.

Before we do that, however, let’s take a look at their special proprietary fabrics. After all, that’s what they make their clothes from! It also dictates how their items should be washed.


Lululemon’s Proprietary Synthetic Fabrics

Luon

Luon is their signature four-way stretch fabric. Cottony soft, it’s perfect for wearing to the yoga studio. Did we also mention that it’s moisture-wicking?

There are multiple versions of Luon including Full-On Luon, Light Luon, and Seriously Light Luon, all of which are suited for different purposes.

Luxtreme

lululemon fabric

Luxtreme is a four-way stretch fabric that is engineered to fit like a second skin. Sweat-wicking yet cool to the touch, it offers enough support for most physical workouts.

There are three versions—Standard Luxtreme, Light Luxtreme, and Full-on Luxtreme.

Nulu

Nulu is so comfortable that you’ll feel like you’re not wearing anything. Not only does it have four-way stretch, but it’s sweat-wicking, lightweight and buttery soft.

Non-restrictive, you’ll have no problem at all doing your yoga poses. Developed as part of their Naked Sensation line, it delivers all of the technical performances qualities that you need.

Nulux

Nulux is very similar to Nulu—both are lightweight and buttery soft. However, the former is much more suited for high-intensity training.

Extremely smooth, the fabric will sit against your skin with light compression. The fact that it is sweat-wicking will also ensure that you stay dry during your workout.

Everlux

lululemon swift

Everlux is designed for maximum breathability in high-humidly, high-heat environments. Not only is it super efficient at wicking away sweat, but it dries fast—more so than the rest of their fabrics.

When sweat starts to flow, it will keep you dry by dispersing moisture from the skin in all directions.

Buttery soft, it features a unique double-knit structure that allows it to remain cool-to-the-touch on the inside.

Swift

Swift is designed to be strong and light. Incredibly versatile, it offers both two-way stretch and freedom of movement.

On top of being moisture-wicking and water-repellent, it is also strong—it will stand up to whatever you throw at it. There are three versions to choose from—Swift, Swift Ultra, and Swift Ultra Light.

Silverescent

Silverescent is phenomenal at fighting odors. Powered by X-Static, it features stink-stopping technology, which effectively prevents odor-causing residue from developing on the fabric.


How to Wash Lululemon Leggings, Tights, and Yoga Pants

As you probably already know, Lulu Lemon offers a variety of leggings and yoga pants for women.

Some of their most popular styles include Align, Fast & Free, In Movement, Under Under, On the Fly, and Train Times. Did you know that they can all be washed in a similar fashion?

Machine Wash Lululemon Tights and Yoga Pants

Lulu leggings and yoga pants are machine washable.

Step 1: Place Them in a Laundry Bag

use laundry bags

Turn the bottoms inside out and place them in a mesh laundry bag, before putting them in the washer.

Step 2: Add ACTIVE Detergent

add one scoop of active detergent

Add one scoop of ACTIVE detergent to the washer drum and run a gentle cycle with cold water. Skip the fabric softener.

Step 3: Allow Them to Air Dry

drying rack

Allow the bottoms to air dry. While you can use the tumble dry setting (tumble low only), it’s generally not recommended as the heat will make them wear out faster; they’ll also lose their softness after a few washes.

Supply:

  • ACTIVE Detergent
  • Laundry bag

Avoid washing Lululemon leggings and tights with abrasive garments such as those with zippers or velcro as it can damage the material.

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Washing Lululemon Leggings, Tights and Yoga Pants by Hand

Washing them by hand is the best option. The delicate setting on your washer is great, but it will still toss the items around, which over time, can damage the fabric.

Supplies:

  • ACTIVE Detergent
  • Water

Step 1:

Fill a basin or the sink with cool or warm water. Avoid hot water as it can damage the synthetic fabrics.

rinse with water 1

Step 2:

Add one scoop of ACTIVE Detergent and mix to create a soapy solution. Then, put the bottoms in the sink.

Let them sit in there for at least 15 minutes.

activewear laundry detergent gym clothing deodorizer

Step 3:

After soaking, rub the fabric gently between your fingers to loosen any remaining oils and dirt.

handwash clothes

Step 4:

Rinse the garments under running water until there’s no more detergent residue.

Then, lay them flat to dry.

rinse with water

Cleaning Lululemon Swimwear

Lululemon sells swimwear for both men and women (e.g. bikinis, swim trunks, one piece swimsuits). As with the rest of their activewear, these items are made from technical fibers.

Hand Wash Your Lululemon Swimwear

First things first, rinse the swimsuit with water as soon as possible after taking it off. That will help remove some of the chlorine, sunscreen, and salts from the fabric, all of which can damage the fabric.

The next step is to wash it with a mild detergent.

Supplies:

  • ACTIVE Detergent
  • Water
soapy water

Step 1:

Fill a sink with cold water and mix in a bit of ACTIVE detergent to create a sudsy solution.

clothes in sink

Step 2:

Turn the swimsuit inside out and place it in the sink, making sure it’s completely immersed in the soapy mixture.

Let it sit for 10 minutes.

rinse with water

Step 3:

Rinse the swimsuit with cold water to get rid of the detergent residue.

Avoid wringing or twisting the swimsuit; gently squeeze out the water instead.

laundry rack

Step 4:

Lay it flat to dry on a clean surface, out of direct sunlight. Alternatively, you can use a drying rack.

Never put your Lululemon swimsuit in the dryer—the elastic will quickly deteriorate from the heat.


Machine Washing Lululemon Swimwear – Yes or No?

While it’s not advisable, Lululemon swimwear can be put in the washing machine—as long as cold water is used. Add a scoop of ACTIVE Detergent and wash on a delicate cycle.

Take the items out once the cycle is finished and hang them dry. Avoid putting the swimsuits in the dryer.


How to Wash Lululemon Underwear

The brand offers a variety of women’s underwear including bikinis, thongs, and boy shorts. They also sell various styles of boxers for men.

How to Wash Lululemon Underwear Properly in the Washer

Their underwear should be washed as delicates in the washing machine.

Supplies:

  • ACTIVE Detergent
  • Laundry bag

Step 1:

Place the underwear in a mesh laundry bag to prevent the elastic from getting stretched, and put it in the washer.

clothes in laundry bag

Step 2:

Add one scoop of ACTIVE Detergent and run a delicate wash cycle with cold water. Do not use fabric softener or bleach.

activewear laundry detergent gym clothing deodorizer

Step 4:

Once the cycle is finished, hang the undergarments on a clothesline and allow them to air dry.

air dry

Washing Lulu Underwear by Hand

As always, hand washing will be gentler than using the machine.

Supplies:

  • ACTIVE Detergent
  • Water
activewear laundry detergent gym clothing deodorizer

Step 1:

Begin by filling the sink with cold water. Add half a scoop of ACTIVE Detergent and mix the liquid thoroughly with your hand.

clothes in soapy water

Step 2:

Carefully place the underwear in the solution, making sure not to overload the sink.

Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, then wash the garment by gently rubbing the fabric between your fingers. Avoid twisting the items as that can cause damage to the fibers.

drying rack

Step 3:

Rinse the garment with clean water, then allow it to air dry on a clothesline or drying rack.


The Best Laundry Detergent for Lululemon Clothes

ACTIVE Detergent is an ideal choice for Lululemon clothing. Why? It is formulated specifically for activewear—such as the ones sold by the company.

Unlike conventional laundry detergents, it comes with three types of enzymes that are capable of going deep into the crevices of the technical fibers to dissolve and remove oils and dirt.

active laundry detergent

Not only that, but it contains natural chelating agents that bring your clothes back to their original state. In other words, you’ll be able to extend the life of your Lulu items.

Another great thing about ACTIVE Detergent is that it is all natural; it does not contain any harsh chemicals that will cause skin reactions or pollute our waterways.

It is also fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, the latter of which makes it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin.

Washing Lululemon Leggings – FAQs

Can I put my Lululemon leggings in the washing machine?

Yes, their leggings are machine washable. Before you load them into the washer, make sure to turn them inside out and place them in mesh laundry bag. That will prevent the outer fabric from wearing out during the wash cycle so that they will stay new for longer.

Does Lululemon shrink in the wash?

Some Lululemon leggings are made of cotton, which is prone to shrinking. To prevent that, we recommend washing their items in cold water with a delicate cycle. Also, always air dry; do not put their tights and leggings in the dryer.

Should you put Lululemon in the dryer?

No, you should never put Lululemon leggings (and other garments) in the dryer as the high heat will cause the material to deteriorate prematurely.

Do you have to hand wash Lululemon swim suits?

Yes, Lululemon swimsuits (and swimwear in general) should always be washed by hand. We recommend rinsing the swimsuit with water, then soaking it in an ACTIVE Detergent solution. From there, simply massage the fabric and rinse with cold water.

Putting them in the washing machine will cause the nylon fabric to stretch out, which will ruin its shape and fit.

Should you use fabric softener with Lululemon?

No, avoid using fabric softener when washing Lululemon leggings and other garments. The softener will leave a layer of waxy residue on your clothes, which will attract dirt and prevent them from pulling moisture from the skin.

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Picture of Sophia Grant

Sophia Grant

Sophia Grant brings her extensive knowledge of laundry and clothing care to the masses with her intensive cleaning guides. Her thorough understanding of fabrics, detergents, and washing techniques helps readers master the art of maintaining their wardrobe. Sophia's advice ensures that anyone can achieve professional-level results at home, keeping their garments looking pristine and lasting longer.

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