Dance Tights Care: How to Prevent Tights From Ripping, Running, and Getting Holes

Whether it’s ballet, tap, or jazz, tights are a staple in every dancer’s wardrobe. Because of their delicate nature and constant exposure to intense movement, sweat, and frequent use, dance tights can wear down quickly, leaving dancers with unwanted tears, runs, and holes in their favorite pair. 

The good news is that you don’t need to spend a ton of money on “indestructible” tights to make them last longer than one class. With a bit of care and knowledge about how to properly wash and wear dance tights, it is absolutely possible to prevent these issues. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best practices for how to prevent tights from ripping, tearing, or laddering, keeping them looking and feeling like new.

1. Give Your Tights a Rest Day Using The Rotation Strategy

With all the stretching, supporting, and constant movement, dance tights are under a great deal of stress. Most tights are made with spandex or elastane, materials that rely on elasticity to maintain their shape. Just like a dancer’s muscles, the fibers in tights need time to recover, which is where the rotation strategy comes into play.

Dance tights need about 24 hours to fully return to their original form, a process known as elastic recovery. Wearing the same pair of tights two days in a row can cause the fibers to overstretch and make them 50% more likely to snap. Over time, this overstretching of the fibers can lead to dance tight holes, tears, and runs. 

A simple solution? A three-pair rotation.

One simple answer to the question, “How do you keep tights from ripping?” is to follow a three-pair rotation schedule. This rotation allows dance tights to recover and maintain their shape and strength, preventing tight holes, runs, and other issues. It’s a small change that makes a big difference, especially for dancers training multiple days a week. 

Pair this habit with Stelle’s buy more save more value, so you can build a rotation of tights and save money at the same time.

2. How to Prevent Tights from Ripping: Strategic Sizing

While it may seem that tighter tights can create more support, damage to them is often the cause of tights that are too small. When tights are stretched to their maximum limit, the surface area of each fiber becomes exposed, which makes them more susceptible to snags. 

That said, if you are wondering how to stop tights from laddering or ripping, sizing up is a good option.  A slightly relaxed fit allows the knit to absorb impact rather than the fabric breaking down under pressure, allowing you to keep your tights for longer. 

For an optimal fit, we always suggest consulting the Stelle Size Chart. Selecting a size that allows for true freedom of movement is crucial. Following this guideline will help you find the perfect fit for your dancer.

3. Protect Tights with the Tape Trick and Linings

Did you know that 80% of holes start at the big toe or heel of the tights? These points on the tights are often stressed more than others because of weight placement, stretching, and even the jaggedness of toenails. Dancers can protect their tights better with the “tape trick,” which involves placing a small piece of medical tape over the big toe nail to create a smooth surface before sliding the tights on.

Another great tool is thin liner socks, which are worn over tights inside tight-fitting dance shoes. Wearing tight liner socks with ballet or jazz shoes protects the tights without creating any discomfort for the dancer. 

4. How to Wash Ballet Tights (The Cold-Water Protocol)

Caring for these wardrobe essentials and learning how to stop tights from laddering or tearing starts with proper cleaning techniques. If we could give you just one tip on how to wash ballet tights, it would be to avoid heat at all costs. Hot water is known to weaken elastic materials such as nylon, a common material used. Once weakened, the fibers begin to break down and runs and holes become more common. 

Instead of washing on warm or hot settings, always wash dance tights in cold water, using a delicate cycle and gentle detergent or even hand-washing them when possible. A mesh bag can also protect tights from friction when machine washing, further preventing the fibers from prematurely breaking down.

When drying, skip the dryer entirely. Heat increases friction, which accelerates wear. Instead, gently reshape tights and air dry them flat or hang them to help preserve elasticity and prevent laddering. If there is excess water in the tights, gently press it out; never twist or ring out your tights, as the force can damage the fabric and weaken fibers.  

5. Learn How to Protect Tights Against Runs and Laddering

Snags, runs, and laddering are some of the most common frustrations dancers deal with when it comes to tights. A snag is a pulled loop that hasn’t spread yet, while laddering or runs happen when that snag starts to unravel down the leg. The good news is that a snag can often be treated before it turns into bigger damage.

If you spot a snag in your dance tights, one of the easiest fixes is to apply a small dab of clear nail polish or hairspray to the area (letting it completely dry before wear). Once it dries, it stiffens the fabric fibers and stops the snag from spreading. For best results, apply it on the inside of the tights where it won’t be visible.

This simple fix won’t make tights brand new, but it’s a practical solution for how to stop tights from laddering and keep small snags from becoming bigger problems.

Because Your Dance Tights Deserve the Best Care

Your dance tights work just as hard as you do, so they deserve thoughtful care. With the right habits, you can keep your favorite pairs comfortable, supportive, and stage-ready longer. Start protecting your dance tights with a three-pair rotation schedule. Explore Stelle’s dance tights and build a collection of comfortable, sturdy dance tights without breaking the bank.