| If you've just signed up for dance class then you've | | | | garment. If you've recently bought a competition dance |
| probably just bought or are about to buy a dance | | | | leotard then it's definitely not recommended to put this |
| leotard. By learning to dance, this new piece of | | | | in the washing machine! These leotards are often |
| dancewear will be getting a great deal of use so you | | | | made to order, more expensive than a regular leotard |
| need to know how to take the best care of it so it | | | | and carry more sentimental value. It's therefore a |
| lasts as long as possible. | | | | better idea to carefully hand wash these to prevent |
| First of all, make sure you keep any care tags that | | | | fading or excessive wear. |
| come with the leotard. These can be printed on a label | | | | When you hand wash your leotard, us a mild |
| that's sewn to the inside of the garment, on the fabric | | | | detergent such as a non-bio and avoid using any fabric |
| on the inside of the leotard itself, but occasionally you | | | | softners as this can damage the fabric. Use at least |
| may find them on the cardboard tags attached to the | | | | enough water to completely cover the leotard. If you're |
| garment when you purchase it. You should keep these | | | | unsure, more water us usually better than less. Once |
| in case they differ slightly from these instructions. | | | | your dance leotard is submerged in the water, |
| When your leotard needs washing, try not to get it | | | | squeeze the soapy water through the fabric for a |
| mixed up with your other dirty laundry, as this will help | | | | couple of minutes. Unless there is a stain that requires |
| ensure that stains from your other clothes don't | | | | a little gentle rubbing, avoid rubbing the fabric against |
| transfer onto your leotard. If you do find any marks or | | | | itself or anything else. |
| stains on your leotard you should try to get these out | | | | Once you've finished washing the leotard, the next |
| before you give it a full wash. It's common to get | | | | step is to rinse it in clean water. Gently squeeze the |
| sweat stains on your leotard as a result of strenuous | | | | fabric to make sure that all signs of detergent are |
| dance classes so be sure to check under the arms. If | | | | removed and that the water runs clear. When |
| there are any stains or small marks, it's possible to | | | | squeezing your leotard, make sure that you do not |
| spot-clean these with a stain removal stick or gentle | | | | wring or twist it as this will pull the garment out of |
| pre-wash liquid according to the directions of the | | | | shape. Any surplus water still remaining in the garment |
| product. Leaving a drop of neat washing detergent on | | | | after this process should be removed by squeezing |
| the stain for a few minutes can work equally as well. | | | | the leotard in a towel. |
| The washing instructions on your dance leotard may | | | | To dry your leotard, you can hang it out but it will hold |
| instruct that you can machine-wash the garment. | | | | its shape for longer if you lay it flat. If you do choose |
| However, taking a little extra time to wash your | | | | to hang it outside, then make sure that it is out of direct |
| garment by hand will take better care of the fabric | | | | sunlight to prevent fading. |
| that it's made from. If your leotard has any metallic | | | | Quick tip: If you do not have the time to hand wash |
| threads or foil effects such as glistening or hologram | | | | your leotard and you want to wash it in the washing |
| fabrics then repeated washing of the garment will | | | | machine, wash on a delicate cycle with plenty of |
| quickly dull the leotard. Washing such a fabric in the | | | | water. As soon as the cycle has finished, remove the |
| washing machine will speed up this dulling of the | | | | leotard from the machine to dry. |
