June 08, 2025

Nulu Wash 101: How to Wash Buttery-Soft Leggings Without Ruining Them

If you’ve ever owned Lululemon’s Align™ leggings or sports bras, you know: they feel like a second skin. That’s thanks to their proprietary Nulu™ fabric, known for being buttery-soft, weightless, and ultra-stretchy. But if you've tossed them in the wrong cycle or ran them through the dryer, you’ve probably learned the hard way that Nulu wash care is different.

This blog is your complete guide to Nulu wash best practices—how to keep your Aligns feeling brand new, smelling clean, and stretching like day one.

🧺 What Is Nulu, and Why Does It Need Special Care?

Nulu™ is a blend of nylon and Lycra® elastane, giving it:

Signature softness
Four-way stretch
Breathable, sweat-friendly feel

But here’s the catch: Nulu is delicate. It pills easily, stretches out when overheated, and can lose its shape or softness if washed incorrectly. That’s why Nulu wash routines need to be gentle and specific.

Step-by-Step: The Nulu Wash Routine

✅ Step 1: Turn Your Leggings Inside Out

Before you even touch the washer, turn your Nulu garments inside out. This protects the outside from:

Pilling
Friction
Color fading

It also helps the detergent clean the sweaty side more effectively.

✅ Step 2: Wash in Cold Water Only

Nulu is heat-sensitive. Hot water can:

Damage the fabric structure
Set in odor
Reduce the softness

Always use cold water—even lukewarm can be risky for long-term stretch and shape.

✅ Step 3: Use a Gentle Detergent (No Softeners or Fragrance)

The biggest mistake people make during a Nulu wash? Using the wrong detergent.

Avoid:

Powdered detergents
Fabric softeners
Scented or brightening agents
Anything “extra strength”

Instead, use a liquid detergent designed for synthetic fabrics (like activewear or delicates). Not sure which one to use? We break it all down in our guide 👉 How to Wash Your Favorite Activewear Without Ruining the Fabric

✅ Step 4: Wash With Like Fabrics

Don’t throw your Align leggings in with:

Towels
Jeans
Zippers
Fleece

These can cause pilling and friction. Nulu should be washed with other smooth, synthetic materials—like other leggings, sports bras, or technical fabric tops.

✅ Step 5: Skip the Dryer

The dryer is the enemy of Nulu.

Dryer heat can:

Break down the Lycra® stretch
Cause the fabric to go stiff or rough
Bake in odors that didn’t get fully washed out

Instead:

Lay flat to dry
Or hang in a well-ventilated area away from direct heat/sunlight
Reshape while damp to maintain structure

If you must use a dryer, use air dry or lowest heat, and remove while slightly damp.

Extra Nulu Wash Tips You Might Not Know

Wash after every 1–2 wears to prevent odor and sweat buildup
Avoid shaving pills—this damages the fabric even more. Prevention is key.
Store folded, not hung, to avoid stretching out the waistband
Skip dry cleaning—it’s unnecessary and too harsh
Use a mesh laundry bag if you're washing with other garments, even activewear

How to Remove Odor from Nulu Leggings

Even if your leggings look clean, Nulu can hold onto sweat odor—especially after workouts or hot yoga.

To refresh them:

Pre-treat armpits, waistbands, and crotch areas with a dab of detergent
Let soak for 20–30 minutes in cold water
Wash as usual and always air dry

If that doesn’t work, it may be time for a deep reset (similar to stripping athletic clothes). You can adapt a soak method using activewear-safe detergent and cold water to pull out built-up sweat and oils.

How Often Should You Wash Nulu?

If you wear your Aligns for:

Workouts: wash after every wear
Lounging or errands: every 2–3 wears max
Layering: maybe every 4th wear, depending on sweat and exposure

Leaving them unwashed for too long can cause bacteria buildup that damages fibers over time.

Final Thoughts: A Little TLC = Longer-Lasting Aligns

If your Nulu leggings feel like luxury on your skin, they deserve luxury in the laundry room too. A proper Nulu wash routine can help you avoid pilling, preserve softness, and get years out of each pair.

Here’s the quick recap: