How to keep tights and stockings looking great

Washing them

We’d all like to have the time to hand wash our delicates, but the reality is life gets in the way. However, if you happen to have a spare half an hour, it’s worth giving them a hand wash as putting them into a machine can stretch the material. They could also end up getting caught on other items, or on the machine itself.

If, like most people, you do want to machine wash them, make sure to use a gentle washing powder and put them into a hosiery bag. This should protect them a bit from the rough and tumble of the wash cycle.

Don’t be tempted to wring them dry or put them through the tumble dryer. Put them flat on a towel and roll them up. Then gently squeeze the towel so it absorbs the moisture.

But if somehow they do get damaged and a hole or small ladder appears, (life hack alert!) use a little clear nail polish to prevent it from spreading and to seal up smaller holes. It will be the difference between an embarrassingly big hole, and a tiny one that will probably go completely unnoticed. 

If you're short on clear nail varnish, hairspray can work just as well. Just be sure to look out for any visible residue once it has dried - this can easily be batted off with the palm of your hand.
   

Storing them

While it’s tempting to throw them in with your underwear after a long hard day (or a glamourous night out), you should try to resist and store them separately. It's so easy for bra hooks and other adornments to your underwear to catch on the tights, causing holes.

Try using a similar technique to washing them and store your tights and stockings with other underwear but in a separate bag. That tote bag you bought but have never used would work.

Make sure you fold them as well. If you just throw them in, they could end up getting tied around each other and become stretched and misshapen as you try and pull them out of the drawer.