Well, the very first offical "team" leotard was treated like gold & I hand washed it all the time. However, I have 3 children and right now 2 are on dive team and the combo of 100 wet towels plus the 3 dirty leos a week & like a thousand swimsuits...I just throw them all in together and wash gentle. I do have a hanger that I let them dry on because I have shrunk a few in the past I think, LOL
We have a lot of GK, some Alpha Factor and 1 or 2 Satara. I know the GK tag on the newest leo says not to handwash. I suppose it depends on the fabic. I know all the velvet ones wash well.