A fashionista has shared her go-to way to make a pair of thin tights last longer by doing one thing to them before wearing them for the first time.
The same way that keeping leather in good shape or learning how to wash jumpers to prevent damage, it's also important to learn the best way to take care of your tights, as it will impact and boost their longevity. Tights are made from highly elastic materials like nylon and polyester blends to ensure flexibility and a snug fit and these materials are delicate by nature, which means that even minor snags or overstretching can lead to rips. Because of this, it's important to take care when you wash, wear and store your tights.
To help, a woman named Lydia Altman has taken to her TikTok account, where she boasts over 128,600 followers, to share the go-to method she makes sure she gets more wears out of a new pair of tights by preventing them from ripping.
"If like me, your new pairs of tights last five minutes before ripped, laddered, whatever, then you need this hack," she said at the start of the video, as she unboxed a new pair of tights.
She went on to explain that all you need to do is run them under cold water. She went on to say: "And I know you're thinking 'oh my God', but just bare with me."
After having run the tights under cold water, you should gently squeeze out any excess water out of the tights. Lydia went on to explain that the tights should be lightly damp, but not soaking, when you then move on to the next step,
This is when it's time to put them in a ziploc bag, or another sealed bag, before putting them in the freezer for 24 hours.
"And in 24 hours, you wanna take them out, and this is literally gonna completely increase the durability of the tights, and it's gonna make them last longer, and make your money go further," she explained.
From there, you'll want to pull them out at least a few hours before wearing them so they can thaw and come to room temperature.
While it might sound strange to put a clothing item in the freezer before wearing them, experts have proven that there's a scientific explanation as to how this will make the tights more durable.
Simon Elliott, the founder and operations director of the clothing brand Clifton, told NBC: "Freezing tights can strengthen the fibres temporarily by tightening their bonds. This process helps reinforce the fibres, reducing the risk of runs."
Other tips to prevent tights ripping also include making sure your legs are as smooth as possible, such as by applying moisturiser before getting dressed, as this will allow them to slip on more easily.
Elliot also recommends to be as gentle as possible with them, both when putting them on, but also when taking them off. He also recommends putting them in a mesh laundry bag when it's time to wash them, as this will prevent them from getting stuck on any buttons on zippers on other clothing items.