How to care for your garment
Most of the leotards we manufacture are made of polyester lycra. This type of lycra produces beautifully vibrant colors and is soft and comfortable to wear. With this fabric, there are no issues with colors running, nor with combining light and dark colors. However, this fabric might pill if it comes into contact with rough surfaces, such as Velcro. Perspiration, deodorants, sunlight, and heat can also cause the fabric to fade.
Washing Instructions
Leotard must be washed separately.
Use a non-phosphate liquid detergent, gently hand wash in a large volume of cold water.
(Non-phosphate detergent is identified by a small square printed on the front of the bottle or box of detergent with 'NP' inside the square.)
Rinse immediately.
Pat dry with a clean towel and use a thick plastic hanger to air dry. Or leave to dry flat in a location with good airflow such under a fan.
DO NOT soak, bleach or use any strong detergent, wool wash or fabric softeners.
DO NOT iron or dry clean.
DO NOT use hot water.
DO NOT leave in direct sunlight.
DO NOT store garment in plastic bags, leave damp leotard folded or rolled up.
Crystals
Wearing and stretching a leotard may cause crystals to come loose or fall off. They can be easily reapplied using a small dot of E-6000 craft glue or with a hot-fix embellishment tool.
Additionally, sew-on crystals might break the thread attaching them to the garment. This is unavoidable, as the hard edges of these crystals can 'saw' through the thread when the leotard moves with the gymnast’s body. Regular maintenance is recommended to keep these crystals in place.
Sew-on crystals can be glued back on using E-6000 glue. This glue is available for purchase at Lincraft or Spotlight in Australia. After gluing on the crystals, they should be left to dry for 72 hours before wearing the leotard.
For the safety of the gymnast, we recommend that the crystals be glued and then sewn on through one of the holes to prevent them from coming off unexpectedly. Any thread you have on hand can be used for this purpose. We typically use polyester thread.
It is not recommended to sew the crystals on through both holes, as this could create a stress point on the stretch fabric and potentially cause the leotard to tear. It is always essential to check that the crystals are safe and secure before performing any skills or routines in the leotard.
Storage and Transport
When not in use, it is recommended that skirted leotards be hung on a small coat hanger and stored in a dry, ventilated, safe place.
Additionally, it's worthwhile transporting your leotards in a garment or leotard bag to prevent them from wrinkling, curling up, or becoming soiled. Always ensure your leotards are dry before placing them inside a leotard bag to avoid mould damage.