How to Wash 2UNDR Shorts So They Keep Their Shape
By Pouch Underwear with the Joey Pouch® | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Tips & Care
A step-by-step washing routine for 2UNDR shorts that protects the Joey Pouch® liner, prevents pilling, and helps the waistband and fabric hold their shape.
Quick answer
Wash 2UNDR shorts inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle, then air dry them flat or hang them. Skip the dryer and fabric softener, because heat and softener residue are the two fastest ways to break down the stretch fibers that hold the waistband, mesh panels, and Joey Pouch® liner in shape.
Why heat and softener are the real shape-killers
Most athletic shorts lose their shape because of heat and chemical residue, not because of washing itself. Hot water and a hot dryer relax the elastic fibers in the waistband and the spandex blend in the fabric, so the shorts start to bag out at the knees and sag at the waist. Fabric softener and dryer sheets leave a waxy coating on synthetic fibers that traps odors and reduces the fabric's ability to recover its original shape.
For 2UNDR shorts, the liner and mesh panels add a second reason to stay gentle. The Joey Pouch® liner is a sewn-in construction, and the mesh panels are lighter and more prone to snagging than the main body fabric. A short, cool, low-agitation wash protects all three zones at once.
Sort by fabric weight, not just by color
You already sort lights from darks, but the bigger risk to shape is mixing heavy fabrics with light ones. Towels, jeans, and fleece shed lint and abrade the smoother surface of athletic shorts, which is a common cause of pilling on golf shorts and training shorts. Wash 2UNDR shorts with other synthetic athletic wear or on their own.
Also check pockets and close any zippers or hook-and-loop closures before the load goes in. An open zipper or exposed hook tab can snag mesh panel shorts in the same load, and that damage is permanent.
Use the right amount of detergent
More detergent does not mean cleaner shorts. In a high-efficiency washer, excess detergent does not rinse out fully, and the leftover film holds odor and makes fabric feel stiff. Use the amount listed for your load size and water hardness, and choose a free-and-clear liquid detergent rather than a pod plus an extra scoop.
If your shorts already smell musty after washing, run them through an extra rinse cycle before you change anything else. That usually solves it without adding more product.
Step-by-step washing routine
- Turn shorts inside out and close all fasteners: Turning them inside out protects the outer surface from pilling and lets the liner and mesh panels get clean. Zip zippers and press hook-and-loop tabs closed before the load starts. Checkpoint: if you can see an open zipper or loose hook tab, fix it now. One snag can ruin a mesh panel.
- Wash in cold water on a gentle or athletic cycle: Cold water protects the stretch fibers that hold the waistband and liner shape. Use a gentle or dedicated athletic cycle with low agitation, and keep the load to about three-quarters full so shorts are not crammed against the drum. Common mistake: choosing a normal cycle with a long, hot wash. Heat and high spin are what relax the elastic.
- Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets: Softener and dryer sheets coat synthetic fibers with a waxy film that traps odor and reduces stretch recovery. If you want softer-feeling shorts, use a small amount of free-and-clear detergent and let air drying do the rest. Checkpoint: if your shorts feel slick or stiff after washing, softener residue is the likely cause. Run an extra rinse.
- Air dry flat or hang, away from direct heat: Lay shorts flat on a drying rack or hang them from the waistband. Keep them out of direct sun and away from radiators or space heaters, since concentrated heat can warp the waistband and liner. Common mistake: tossing them in the dryer on low 'just for a few minutes.' Even short heat cycles add up over time.
- Reshape while damp and store folded: Before the shorts are fully dry, smooth the waistband and liner flat with your hands so they dry in their intended shape. Once dry, fold them rather than hanging them by the waistband for long periods, which can stretch the elastic. Next step: rotate two or three pairs so each one gets a full rest between wears, which helps the fabric recover.
Product facts
- Juicy 2 in 1 Short - Full Bloom: The Juicy 2 in 1 Short is built with high-grade, quick-drying materials and a liner featuring the patented Joey Pouch®. Quick-drying fabric means you can air dry these shorts and skip the dryer entirely, which is the single best way to keep their shape.
- Juicy 2 in 1 Short - Mint: The Juicy 2 in 1 Short in Mint uses the same quick-drying construction and Joey Pouch® liner as the rest of the Juicy line. Because the care needs are identical across colorways, you can wash all your Juicy shorts together on one gentle cycle instead of splitting loads.
- Juicy 2 in 1 Short - Charcoal: The Juicy 2 in 1 Short in Charcoal shares the quick-drying build and Joey Pouch® liner found across the Juicy line. Darker colorways still benefit from cold water and air drying, since heat is what dulls color and relaxes stretch fibers over time.
