Life Hack: Five things you can do to make your tights last longer and prevent ladders
Help As Your As Last Five To Tights Tips Long Expert Possible
It’s officially spring in Ireland and at this time of year, many of us are bringing skirts back into circulation in our wardrobes. Of course, bare legs are probably another few months away so to combat the lingering winter chill, tights are the perfect compromise. However, it can be frustrating when you’re dressing in a rush for work or an event only to realise you have a ladder running through your tights.
Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to prevent this from happening and make your tights last as long as possible — saving you money as well as that frustration. Here are five tips from hosiery experts Sarah Western, a technical and quality manager, and Charlotte Hanna, a product manager at Pretty Polly.
“Fabric softener can reduce the wicking properties of some fabrics and stop them functioning as they are meant to, and over time will break down the elastane. Constant use of fabric conditioner can leave a residue that dulls the appearance and over time breaks down the fibres.”
“Handwashing is the best option for delicate hosiery such as patterned tights as it is a gentler process with minimal agitation in wash and removal of water, a mesh laundry bag is essential to prevent potential damage caused by catching on other products in the wash load.
“Avoid tumble dryers and harsh strong heat sources when drying your hosiery. Heat degrades the elastane. Instead, dry on an airer or clothesline to protect the fibres and help your hosiery last longer.”
“We’ve heard of hairspray being used to prevent a ladder running further, rather than being used as ladder prevention.
“If using this method, it’s probably best to spray the tights on a flat surface, as the hairspray could be slightly tacky on the skin and might cause the tights to catch. There is also the risk that hairspray could stain the product if used repeatedly.”
“This does work to stop a hole from getting bigger. It's best to use the clear nail varnish as soon as the hole appears. However, it’s a temporary fix as once the tights are damaged you probably only want to stop the damage from getting worse while wearing and wouldn’t necessarily wear them again.”
“Protect hosiery with careful storage by either bagging or rolling them when not wearing.
“Look for quality features that promote durability and longevity of the product such as reinforced toes, anti-run bands etc.”