How to Care for Galaxy Print Leggings So the Design Doesn't Fade
Galaxy print leggings were everywhere during the galaxy leggings trend that started around 2014 and peaked in the galaxy leggings 2016 era — and honestly, the look has never really gone away. If you own a pair of galaxy leggings leggings or other galaxy patterned leggings, you know how stunning that deep-space swirl of purples, blues, and pinks looks fresh out of the package.
But there's a catch: galaxy prints are notorious for fading. Wash after wash, that vibrant nebula effect can turn into a washed-out grayish blur. The good news? With the right care routine, your galaxy leggings girl look can stay cosmic for years. Here's exactly how to do it.
Why Galaxy Print Leggings Fade in the First Place
Understanding the enemy helps you fight it. Galaxy prints fade because of three main culprits:
- Heat — High temperatures break down both the fabric fibers (usually polyester or nylon blends) and the dye sublimation that creates the print.
- Friction — Tumbling in the dryer or rubbing against rough fabrics wears away the surface of the print.
- Harsh detergents and sun — Bleaching agents and UV rays slowly bleach out the colorful nebulas and star clusters.
Once you know this, the care routine practically writes itself.
Step 1: Turn Them Inside Out Before Washing
This is the single most effective thing you can do. Turning your leggings inside out protects the printed surface from friction against other clothes and the washing machine drum. It's a five-second step that can add dozens of wash cycles to your leggings' life.
Step 2: Use Cold Water Only
Hot water is the fastest way to kill a galaxy print. Always wash in cold water on a gentle or delicate cycle. Cold water keeps the dye sublimation stable and prevents the fibers from relaxing and letting go of the ink.
Step 3: Choose a Gentle, Color-Safe Detergent
Skip anything with bleach, optical brighteners, or heavy enzymes. A mild liquid detergent made for activewear or dark colors is ideal. Liquid is better than powder because powder can leave residue on the print that dulls the design.
Step 4: Wash With Similar Fabrics
Don't wash your galaxy patterned leggings with towels, jeans, or anything with zippers and velcro. Those rough textures act like sandpaper on the print. Wash them with other soft activewear or lightweight clothing, and never overload the machine.
Step 5: Never — Ever — Tumble Dry
This is where most people lose their leggings. The dryer combines the two worst enemies of a galaxy print: heat and friction. Instead, air dry your leggings flat or hang them away from direct sunlight. Sunlight fades prints too, so dry them indoors or in the shade.
Step 6: Skip the Iron
If your leggings are wrinkled, the wrinkles will relax on their own once you wear them. Ironing directly on a galaxy print will melt or scorch it. If you absolutely must iron, use the lowest setting with a cloth barrier — but honestly, just don't.
Step 7: Rotate Your Collection
If you wear your galaxy leggings every single day, they'll fade faster no matter how well you wash them. Having two or three pairs lets you rotate, which cuts wash frequency and extends the life of each pair. The galaxy patterned leggings are a great second pair — a slightly different take on the cosmic theme, so your rotation never gets boring.
Bonus Tip: Hand Wash When Possible
If your leggings are a favorite, hand washing in cold water with a drop of gentle detergent is the gold standard. It's gentler than any machine cycle, and it only takes a few minutes. Swish, soak for 10 minutes, rinse, and air dry.
Extra Care Facts Worth Knowing
- The galaxy leggings meme about destroyed prints is real — those viral photos of faded leggings after one hot wash weren't exaggerated. Heat damage is permanent; it can't be reversed, only prevented.
- Prints from the original galaxy print leggings 2014 wave fade faster than modern sublimation prints, so if you're buying new, today's quality is actually better.
- Even mugs fade — the same UV and dishwasher-heat logic applies to printed items like a mug space. Hand wash printed mugs too if you want the stars to stay bright.
Quick Care Cheat Sheet
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Wash inside out, cold water | Hot water or warm cycles |
| Gentle detergent, no bleach | Powder detergent with brighteners |
| Air dry flat, in the shade | Tumble dry or direct sunlight |
| Rotate multiple pairs | Wearing and washing one pair daily |
Final Thoughts
The galaxy leggings trend proved one thing: cosmic prints never go out of style. A little extra care is all it takes to keep your galaxy leggings leggings looking as vibrant as the day they arrived. Follow these steps and you'll be serving galaxy leggings girl energy for years.
Want to grab a pair (or a second one for rotation)? Check out the galaxy collection at Espace Stellaire — and don't forget to use the 15% OFF All Orders coupon before checkout. Your wardrobe (and the stars) will thank you.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep my galaxy print leggings from fading?
Wash them inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle, use a mild color-safe liquid detergent, and always air dry flat away from direct sunlight. Never tumble dry — heat is the main cause of fading.
Can I iron my galaxy leggings?
Only as a last resort, on the lowest heat setting, and never directly on the print. Place a cloth between the iron and the fabric. Air drying usually removes wrinkles on its own, so ironing is rarely necessary.
How long do galaxy print leggings last?
With proper care, high-quality sublimation prints can stay vibrant for years. Modern prints hold color much better than the original galaxy print leggings from 2014, but heat and friction will still shorten their lifespan.
When was the galaxy leggings trend popular?
Galaxy prints were hugely popular around 2014 and again through the 2016 era, inspired by space photography and the galaxy leggings meme culture. The trend has never fully disappeared, and the prints remain a statement piece today.
Is there a discount on galaxy leggings at Espace Stellaire?
Espace Stellaire currently offers 15% OFF all orders with the coupon available on their discount code page at /espace-stellaire-discount-code/.