Lingerie 101 : Wash & Care
How to wash your delicates so they look & feel fresher, longer.
Preparation
Be sure to remove inserts before washing. If you do use a washing machine, invest in a special lingerie protective pouch, which allows you to throw your underwear straight into the washing machine with similarly colored loads. Hook the bra together so it doesn’t get entangled with other clothes.
Wash
Due to the delicate nature of the fabrics, hand washing is always a more delicate option. If you wash in the machine instead, be sure to run the wash on the delicate cycle using cooler water, use a mesh lingerie bag, and close all clips and hooks before washing to prevent stretching and damage.
Detergent
For silks and laces, consider using mild soap or wool detergents such as Ezee as well as other baby detergents or baby shampoos. No matter what detergent you use, however, don’t use bleach. The chemicals are far too harsh for delicate fabrics.
Drying
Hang or lay flat all your delicate pieces to air dry. The heat of the dryer breaks down the elastic in the pieces. Don’t squeeze out excess water, instead, place it on a flat towel. Laying the pieces to dry flat is preferred. But if you’re hanging them to dry, hang them over the middle (between the cups) and not by the straps to prevent the straps from stretching.
How often ?
We recommend washing a bra after every few wears (unless, of course, you got all sweaty in them, in which case, it’s time for a wash no matter what). Having a healthy collection of bras from which to choose each morning also extends the life of your intimates. A wide collection means each one gets less frequent wear and, consequently, remains in good condition longer. But rotating between several bras also gives the elastic in each one time to retract and reshape before being re-worn, making it last for more uses as well.
