WARNING! These compression pants will self destruct in 3-2-1…
Hi friends!
As I was getting dressed this morning, I heard the dreaded sound of the “warning hole” being torn open in my Bioflect Capris. Darn it. And once the Warning Hole has opened up, I’m good for two more washes before, piece by piece, they completely become useless, and I can easily tear a hole by trying to don them. I love Bioflect compression because it’s so comfortable, and at the self-destruct point, they let you know it’s time to replace them, magically. I personally need the warning hole. Even today I notice that the compression isn’t as warm, cozy, and snug as they should be, but I would have kept wearing them without the hole. If I don’t RUN (whatever that looks like for me – lol!) to get more, I’ll regret it in two weeks’ time.
The Warning Hole. I probably waited too long this time.
So realistically, how long should you wait before replacing compression?
It’s 3-6 months depending on how much you wear it and how you care for it. But also compression stashed in a drawer unused, will actually break down with the elastics and other stretchable materials “half life.”. So you may have a fresh pair waiting for you to open, and then be surprised in two years when they aren’t as firm as you’d hoped. I recognize a lot of folks have custom garments and insurance may only pay for one set a year, so the 3-6 month replacement is tough.
Here are some tips to make your compression last longer:
- Hand wash, but do not wring out, your compression. Wringing stretches the fibers unnecessarily and puts strain on them. Save the strain for your legs!
- Use a lingerie bag to wash your compression in, if you’re using a washing machine. Even then, use cold water and the gentle cycle. Do not use fabric softener.
- Never dry your compression with heat (literally so hypocritical for me to be writing this). Air dry it or lay it out flat to dry.
- If you have to dry them quicker, wrap them in a towel and squeeze the towel, but don’t wring. You can also move the lingerie bag to the dryer and cool dry only.
- Moisturize at night after you’ve removed your compression. Shower or bathe in the morning pre-compression. This keeps all the products off your compression as they can break down the fibers.
- Buy two or more pairs at a time an alternate day of wear. I try to wear mine twice between washings when I can but rotate three pairs that I buy all at once, which I will now do today. I have them in capri, full length
- Unless advised by your doctor (post-surgery, usually), don’t sleep in your compression. This really puts extra wear and tear on the garments at a time when usually your body needs that break from compression anyway.
- Think not only about your garments, but the life of compression wraps and braces. They also lose elasticity with wear and need to be replaced regularly.
I hope this helps someone out there to make sure you’re getting enough compression and not falsely believing old compression is doing its best job for you.
Until next time friends, stay strong!
Susan
Black compression.Warning. These leggings are not pants. ; )
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