The ultimate guide to fixing holey hosiery

Are we actually talking about wearing a pair of tights instead of using them as an emergency fan belt or dog lead? We are. And these four hints about the hosiery itself are all to do with keeping it in good condition.

1. Prevent runs

laddered tights

You'll get a lot more wear from a pair of tights if you first soak them for 30 minutes in a solution of 1/2 cup water (90g) salt dissolved in 1-litre water. Rinse and drip dry. 

When you don't have time for pretreating, soak the tights in salt water after use and then wash. Whatever you do, the salt strengthens the nylon fibres, making them less likely to tear. 


2. Lengthen the life

Dampen a pair of tights and place them in a resealable plastic bag in the freezer. 

Remove the frozen tights then defrost (not in the microwave) and drip dry. Freezing the fibres hardens them and your tights will last through many more wears. 


3. Soften to avoid runs

tights ripped

Rinsing a pair of tights with a drop or two of fabric softener in the water is a good anti-run tactic. 

The fabric softener makes the nylon mesh more stretchable and less prone to runs caused by tautness. 

To dry, roll the tights in a towel instead of wringing them out and hanging them. 


4. Nip runs in the bud

If you don't have any clear nail polish to stop a run in its tracks, rub a small amount of liquid soap along the run's top, bottom and sides. 

The soap hardens into a barrier as it dries, preventing the run from continuing on its path. Rubbing a bar of wet soap over the run will also work. 



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