Can You Wear Leggings More Than Once? (Without Washing)

woman working out in leggings

When comfort and adaptability are a priority, leggings are a staple choice for many people. Wanting to wear them more than one day in a row is very understandable, which might make you wonder whether or not it’s okay to do so.

You can wear athletic leggings more than once without washing, though this is not recommended. However, this depends on what activities you participate in, how long you wear them, and whether or not they’ve been exposed to dirt and spills.

The rest of this article will go into further detail about how often you should wash your leggings, so you can maintain your leggings and your hygiene as best as possible.

Can You Wear Leggings Two Days in a Row?

Most of us have fallen into the Lululemon Align Full-Length Yoga Pants trap. It can be hard to wear anything else once you’ve gotten used to their superior comfort and sleek style. But is it really okay to wear your beloved leggings two days in a row?

You can wear leggings two days in a row, but you might not want to. This is because leggings are made with tight and absorbent fabric that can house unpleasant smells and bacteria. However, this isn’t always the case when you wear leggings for a short period of time.

young woman is chilling at home in a comfortable round armchair near the window

If you use athletic leggings for things like working out, then it’s wise to take them off immediately after use, especially if your workout routine involves a lot of sweat or heat. This is because leggings can serve as the perfect breeding ground for fungal infections and bacteria, especially when you add tight-fitting fabric and workout sweat to the equation.

Fabric acts as a reservoir for the transmission of micro-organisms,” say doctors Chetali Pandekar and Minakshi Gaurav in a study on microbes and clothing. “When provided with [favorable conditions] like warmth and moisture, they multiply and grow rapidly.

To put it simply, tight-fitting clothes like leggings make it easy for microbes to grow. 

This is especially true when you use athletic leggings to work out because physical activity will generate a lot of moisture and heat, which is an appealing environment for harmful microorganisms.

This means that you should wash your leggings as soon as you’re done working out to avoid excess bacteria and fungal growth. Time spent avoiding legging laundry is time spent accumulating unwanted dirt, bacteria, and germs– which is why we wash our clothes in the first place.

However, when you only wear your leggings for a short period of time, such as for leisure and not athletics, it’s alright to hold back on washing them for another day to save on water and avoid harmful environmental impacts.

How Often Should You Wash Your Leggings?

So we’ve established why it’s bad to go too long without washing your leggings. So how often should you really be washing them?

You should wash your leggings immediately after use if you wear leggings for athletic purposes or after long periods of time. But if you only wore them for a little bit for a non-athletic activity, it’s alright to wear them the next day.

It’s essential to maintain clean clothing habits, but you should also remember that excessive washing isn’t necessarily a good thing either.

Does Washing Leggings Harm the Environment?

Washing leggings that don’t need washing can be harmful to the environment, though it’s vital for your health to stay clean and maintain good hygiene. Washing your leggings too frequently can negatively affect the environment because it releases synthetic fibers that contribute to pollution.

sexy girl is practicing yoga on the floor in the kitchen at home

According to the Marine Pollution Bulletin, over 700,000 microscopic synthetic fibers are released with every average-sized load of laundry. These fibers contribute to the harmful levels of microplastic in the ocean.

Most leggings are made from synthetic fabrics, which means that excessive or unnecessary washing will release these microscopic fibers into the environment.

Though it’s more important to maintain good hygiene to avoid bacterial or fungal infections, it’s also crucial to be mindful about whether or not something really needs washing. Here are some solutions that might make you feel a bit better about your own health as well as the planets.

Wash Your Leggings Only When You Need To

Washing your leggings too often can contribute to pollution, but that doesn’t mean you should never wash them. As we discussed earlier, it can be harmful to your health to wear leggings more than once in a row. 

However, it can hurt the environment when you wash them unnecessarily.

It’s ultimately up to you to make the right choice and decide whether or not something truly needs to be washed.

Consider Buying Eco-Friendly Leggings

Leggings are usually made from synthetic fabrics such as polyester, and contribute to pollution when washed.

But you don’t have to sacrifice your personal health for the health of the environment. In fact, there are many alternative fabrics that are crafted from natural materials that won’t harm your body or the planet. 

Natural options like Organic Cotton Ankle Leggings and Hemp Black High-Waisted Seamless Leggings are a few choices that you may want to consider.

One thing to note is that synthetic fabrics are less prone to microbe growth. If you acquire a pair of something environmentally conscious like organic cotton leggings, they will need to be washed more frequently. 

But now, you don’t have to worry about contributing to the microplastics problem.

Conclusion

There’s a reason why leggings are a staple piece of clothing for the outfits of many. They’re stretchy, adaptable, relatively affordable, and comfortable.

Though leggings are well-loved by so many people, it can be unhealthy to go too long without washing your own pair. You should wash your leggings immediately after athletic use to avoid the spread and growth of harmful microbes.

You should also keep in mind that unnecessary washing is harmful to the environment. If you didn’t wear your leggings for an intense workout or the entire day, then you should probably think twice before washing.

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