how-to guide: washing and caring for your lululemon gear



how-to guide: washing and caring for your lululemon gear

When it comes to our laundry situation, we like to think we’ve got it down to an art. Unlike some clothing that can be worn more than once (we’re looking at you, favourite jeans) when we’re sweating once a day we tend to do laundry more than once a week, too. Because we make technical gear for a variety of sweaty pursuits, we recommend washing our product with care to ensure it keeps its shape and quality for years to come. We have a page filled with all the nitty gritty details and FAQs if you are looking for more info. We also put together these tips for quick reference. Without further ado, may we present to you:

eight commandments for caring for your lululemon gear

1. wash like with like.             

Zippers and denim can abrade your lululemon gear.

2. wash luon and cotton separately.

Because of their different properties, cotton fibres can attach to luon and look like pilling.

3. inside out is the right way out.

Wash your lululemon gear inside out to keep the face fabric snag-free – this really works to help extend the life of your product.

4. take care of your brights.

Wash bright colours alone before you wear them to keep them their best and brightest.

5. wash bright colours together.    

Keep all your bright-coloured luon in the same load to prevent colour transfer.

6. keep wet luon away from light colours.

If you’ve got sweaty luon in bright colours, keep it separate to avoid possible colour transfer.

7. cold wash/warm dry.

When in doubt, wash cold, tumble dry your gear. If there are special instructions for the wash and care of a product (check the label), we recommend following them to ensure the quality and care of your clothing (we don’t throw those instructions in just to create extra work, Guide’s Honour). Find full wash tips.

8. pro-tip for environmentalists.

Do you love the environment as much as your Wunder Unders? You have the option to cold water wash and air dry your gear if you wish to give the Earth a little love.

Got questions around washing your lululemon stuff? Contact our Guest Education Centre at gec@lululemon.com or 1.877.263.9300 and one of our educators will be happy to help you with your query.

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22 Comments »


Just to clarify- are you saying we should wash brand new bright gear before we wear it for the first time? I was confused by recommendation 4.

Comment by Jenny — February 14, 2013 @ 8:02 pm


Wash brights together? Wouldn’t they cross colour transfer?

Comment by Shay — February 14, 2013 @ 9:27 pm


Hey Jenny,
Yes, it is always a good idea to wash any bright coloured item before you wear it. To get those really vibrant colours the fabric needs to be highly saturated. This can mean there is some residual dye left over that will be released in the first wash. Let me know if you have any other questions!
~Jenna

Comment by lululemon athletica GEC — February 15, 2013 @ 9:58 am


Great question, Shay. So with this point you want to take a note from point one as well- like with like. It’s best to wash similar colour together, which will help prevent any colour transfer like you mentioned.
~Jenna

Comment by lululemon athletica GEC — February 15, 2013 @ 10:02 am


I love this post. I must say I have followed the Earth Friendly instructions. Wash in cold, “like with like” usually. I do *occasionally* tumble dry extra low (the extra low option on my dryer) for maybe 15 min and finish by air drying. Or skip the dryer altogether (time permitting) and just air dry. With enough selection of my fav yoga gear I can allow them to air dry most of the time. Save your yoga gear and save your world.
-Wendy S.
RYT200

Comment by Wendy S. — February 15, 2013 @ 1:20 pm


Why do my clothes smell sweaty even after washing. I have never had this problem with other brands. I always wash right when I get home from working out. Is this a quality problem?

Comment by jess — February 16, 2013 @ 11:52 am


Hey Jess,
Hmmm, this is definitely something we would like to chat with you about. If you can call us at the GEC (1.877.263.9300) then we can get some more details from you and work out a solution to your sweaty gear dilemma. Thanks for reaching out!
~ Somerlea
gec social media team

Comment by lululemon athletica GEC — February 16, 2013 @ 1:10 pm


Thanks for posting about washing inside out. I was my wunder unders inside out and haven’t had any problems. Love those pants!

Comment by Am — February 16, 2013 @ 3:53 pm


If my Wunder Unders are reversible, what’s the best way to wash them? As I don’t want the black or bright purple to fade.

Comment by Meghan — February 18, 2013 @ 5:38 am


Hi Meghan,
We recommend washing your Wunder Unders on a cold cycle and air to dry. I tend to switch which side is on the outside during the wash myself. Here’s also a quick link to our product care page: http://bit.ly/tR1GrT
~ Siya
Social Media Educator

Comment by lululemon athletica GEC — February 18, 2013 @ 8:45 am


And no fabric softener right?! That’s how we educate in our store :)

Comment by ellie — February 19, 2013 @ 7:13 pm


Is it safe to bleach my white reversible tank? I accidentally washed it with all my dark clothing, and it isn’t looking as white and bright as it used to!

Comment by Ashley — February 20, 2013 @ 5:15 pm


I am a curvy girl and no matter what my legs rub when I walk/run and my astro,groove and wunder unders all get pilley in between my legs! How do i fix or prevent this from happening?

Comment by Clare — February 21, 2013 @ 12:37 pm


Hi Ashley,
We haven’t tested for bleach on our gear so it’s not something I recommend. I have tried soaking my gear in liquid soap and water before a wash.
~ Siya
Social Media Educator

Comment by lululemon athletica GEC — February 21, 2013 @ 12:53 pm


I recently bought my first pair of running pants and I love them! But I’ve wore them once, and they already have snagg fuzz balls on the top thigh.. I don’t know what todo! I love these but I’m alittle upset since I just bought these. Please help

Comment by Jessica — February 22, 2013 @ 8:12 pm


Just like Clare said I also get pilling in the crotch area of my Wunder Unders. I would love to know if there is a way to prevent this becuase other than that they are the best pants I own!

Comment by Ari — February 23, 2013 @ 8:15 am


Hi Jessica,
If you’re near a local store, certainly take in your pants so we can take a look at them. If heading into a store isn’t an option, you can give us a call at the GEC (1.877.263.9300) with more details so we can chat about a solution.
~ Siya
Social Media Educator

Comment by lululemon athletica GEC — February 24, 2013 @ 10:49 am


Could you please clarify whether or not we should use fabric softener on these clothes? I always add it to my rinse cycle, but I just saw Ellie’s post above and now I’m not so sure. Thank you in advance.

Comment by Natasha — February 24, 2013 @ 12:58 pm


Hi Natasha,
We do not recommend using fabric softer in your gear as it coats the technical fabric and inhibits its wicking capabilities.
~ Siya
Social Media Educator

Comment by lululemon athletica GEC — February 24, 2013 @ 2:41 pm


I’ve had a couple of tanks (105, Back on Track) very badly snagged from the bonded trim on the bonded turbo run shorts and the track time crops. The bonded trim seems to stick to the tops and snag them. What Lululemon fabrics is it safe to wear over the bonded Lululemon shorts/crops?

Comment by Lauren — February 25, 2013 @ 1:22 am


Hi Lauren,
Your running tanks shouldn’t be snagging on the fabrics of your run bottoms. My recommendation is take your gear to your local store so we can chat about our suggestions for running gear. I tend to layer tanks like the Cool Racerback with a medium support bra for my runs and I don’t find they snag on bonded seaming. If you’re not near a local store, be sure to give us a call at the GEC (1.877.263.9300) in regards to this.
~ Siya
Social Media Educator

Comment by lululemon athletica GEC — February 25, 2013 @ 6:54 am


Washing in cold & air drying has done it for me! Even my most used Lululemon apparel has lasted me going on 3 years now..let it live on :)

Comment by Kalae — February 25, 2013 @ 12:52 pm


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