How to Care for Sweatpants in 2026: Keep Your iets frans Pairs Soft
To care for sweatpants properly, wash them on a cool, gentle cycle, skip the fabric softener, and air dry away from direct heat so the fibres stay soft instead of going stiff or bobbly. This matters most with the brushed-back fleece used in our iets frans Harri wide leg joggers and sweatpants, which can lose their cosy feel if they are washed too hot or tumble dried too often.
Key takeaways
- Wash sweatpants on a cool 30 degree cycle, inside out, to protect brushed fleece from stiffening and pilling.
- Skip fabric softener and use a splash of white vinegar in the rinse cycle to keep fibres soft without residue.
- Air dry flat or on a rack instead of pegging by the waistband, which can stretch the fabric out of shape.
- Low heat tumble drying with dryer balls works if needed, but remove items while still slightly damp.
- Store sweatpants folded away from direct sunlight to prevent colour fading and fabric marks.
At iets frans we hear from shoppers across the UK who love the feel of a new pair of sweatpants but notice them going a bit scratchy after a few washes. The good news is that most of this comes down to simple laundry habits, not the quality of the fabric itself. Get the basics right and your sweatpants will stay soft for years, not just the first month.
Why Sweatpants Lose Their Softness
Sweatpants are usually made from cotton-rich fleece, and cotton fibres naturally stiffen when they’re washed in hot water or dried on high heat. Heat breaks down the fibres and strips away the natural oils that keep fleece feeling plush. Fabric softener makes things worse over time because it coats the fibres with a waxy residue that builds up wash after wash, which is exactly why it can leave towels and sweats feeling less absorbent and a bit crunchy.
Hard water is another factor that shoppers in the UK often overlook. Mineral deposits from hard water can sit in the fabric and make it feel rougher, so if you live in a hard water area, a little extra rinsing goes a long way. Browse the iets frans pants collection and you’ll notice most of our fleece styles are designed to be low-maintenance, but they still need the right wash routine to stay at their best.
The Right Way to Care for Sweatpants
If you want a simple rule to care for sweatpants, wash them inside out on a 30 degree cycle with similar colours. Turning them inside out protects the brushed fleece surface from friction against zips, buttons or other garments in the drum, which is where a lot of pilling starts. A gentle or delicates cycle is kinder than a standard cotton cycle, even though sweatpants feel sturdy.
Use a small amount of regular detergent rather than a heavy-duty one, and leave out the fabric softener altogether. If you want extra softness, add a quarter cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle instead. It breaks down detergent residue without leaving a coating behind, and it won’t leave any smell once the wash is done.
Drying Without Damaging the Fleece
Heat is the biggest risk to soft sweatpants, so air drying is always the safer choice. Lay them flat on a clean towel or hang them over a drying rack rather than pegging them by the waistband, which can stretch the fabric out of shape. This is especially worth doing with wide leg styles like our Harri joggers and sweatpants, since the extra fabric around the leg holds moisture a bit longer.
If you do need to tumble dry, use the lowest heat setting and take them out while slightly damp, then finish drying flat. Adding a couple of clean tennis balls or dryer balls to the load helps fluff the fibres back up and stops the fabric from going flat. This one habit alone makes a noticeable difference if you want to care for sweatpants over a long period rather than just after the first few washes.
Storing and Refreshing Between Washes
Fold sweatpants rather than hanging them, since hanging by the waistband can pull the fabric and leave marks over time. Keep them in a drawer away from direct sunlight, as UV exposure gradually fades colour, which matters if you’ve picked up one of our richer shades like pear red or washed navy.
Between washes, a quick steam or a shake out can freshen sweatpants without needing a full wash cycle, which also reduces wear on the fabric. If you’re deciding between a sweats or joggers for everyday wear, our guide on sweats vs joggers breaks down how each holds up with regular washing. For sizing questions when building out a loungewear rotation, our hoodie sizing guide is also handy since hoodies and sweatpants from iets frans tend to follow similar fits.
A Quick Reference for Washing iets frans Sweatpants
| Step | Do | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Washing | 30 degrees, inside out, gentle cycle | Hot water, heavy-duty detergent |
| Softening | White vinegar in rinse | Fabric softener build-up |
| Drying | Air dry flat or low heat tumble | High heat, pegging by waistband |
| Storage | Folded, away from sunlight | Hanging for long periods |
Stick to this routine and you’ll notice your sweatpants keep that just-bought softness for much longer. It’s a small bit of effort for a pair you’ll likely reach for most days, whether that’s a lazy Sunday or a crisp fiery morning walk.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I wash my sweatpants?
Once every two or three wears is usually enough unless they’ve been worn for exercise or get visibly dirty. Washing less often reduces fibre breakdown and helps you care for sweatpants without wearing them out early.
Can I use fabric softener on fleece sweatpants?
It’s best avoided, as fabric softener coats the fibres and leaves them feeling less soft over time, especially on brushed fleece. A splash of white vinegar in the rinse cycle is a better way to keep things soft without the residue.
Why do my sweatpants feel stiff after washing?
Stiffness usually comes from hot water, high heat drying, or detergent residue sitting in the fabric. Switching to a cooler wash and air drying flat should soften them back up within a wash or two.
Is it safe to tumble dry iets frans sweatpants?
Low heat tumble drying is fine occasionally, but air drying is gentler on the fleece and helps the fabric keep its shape and softness longer. If you do tumble dry, remove them while still slightly damp and finish drying flat.
Do wide leg joggers need different care to regular sweatpants?
Not really, though the extra fabric around the leg holds more moisture, so give wide leg styles a little longer to dry fully. Avoid folding them away while damp, as this can lead to a musty smell or creasing.
Looking after your loungewear properly means it stays comfortable and good looking for far longer, which is really what iets frans is about: easy, everyday pieces that don’t need fussing over. Pop over to iets frans to see the current sweatpants and joggers range, and keep this care routine handy for whichever colourway you pick up next.
