The Best Way to Clean and Store Your Delicates

What’s the best way to clean and store your delicates?

To keep their shape and maintain proper fit, bras, undies and other lingerie garments are recommended to be washed by hand. But as we know, life happens, time is limited and handwashing isn’t always practical. So what’s a busy woman to do to keep her unmentionables fresh and clean?

Follow these steps to “hand wash” your delicates in the washer:

1. First and foremost, spot treat any stains. Many of the fabrics lingerie is made from naturally absorb stains into the fabric fibers. It’s essential to treat stains prior to washing in order to loosen and lift stains to the fabric surface.
2. Fasten all clasps, buttons, snaps etc. and remove any pads that are removable.
3. Place the item in a fine mesh zippered wash bag.  Structured items like bras with underwire and/ or molded cups should be placed in zippered mesh bags designed for such items. Generally, you can find fine mesh zippered bags in various styles and sizes at most department stores.
4. Select the delicate or hand wash cycle on your washer. If your washer doesn’t have  one of those cycle options, choose a cold cycle with low or no spin. 
5. Pour 1-2 tablespoons of gentle laundry detergent directly into the basin or drum and press start.
6. Once the cycle is complete, unload each item from the washer, remove zippered bags 

*Be mindful using this technique with sheer fabric, mesh or lace items. We would suggest “double bagging”, using a second zippered mesh bag to protect these items.

Silk and/ or rayon items MUST be hand washed with specialty detergent in a basin of cold water. No exceptions!

What if it’s made of a material that’s not washing machine safe?

Unwired cotton and athletic fabric bras can generally be washed in a standard delicate cycle. Silk and 

What’s the best way to dry lingerie?

This is one part of the process you can’t rush or skimp on. Lingerie is ALWAYS best air dried. 

First, gently blot and press excess water from each garment. Do NOT wring or stretch.

Hang undies and bottoms on a rack or clothesline from the waistband with padded or gentle clips. Basic bras can be hung in half, with one breast/ cup on each side. Structured brassieres are best laid to dry on clean towels, cups-up, other tops with straps can be hung dry on hangers. Angle a fan toward items to expedite drying…but don’t be tempted to use the dryer. Removable pads can also be dried flat or hanging on clips.

Does lingerie need to be washed every single time you use it?

Wash frequency varies for most lingerie garments. Panties, undies and other bottoms washed after each wear. Bras and other tops can be washed every 2-3 wears to stay in shape and keep bacteria at bay. Any sweaty items should be washed after one use. 

What’s the best storage method for lingerie?

• The best way to store panties is in a drawer organizer with small compartments for each style or even each pair. This will allow you to easily match the use, style or color to your outfit. Keep your favorites close to the front of the drawer for easy access. 
• Structured bras can be stored in a similar way with drawer organizers designed specifically for bras. (Again keep those favorites close to the front.) This will help keep the cups from losing their shape or stretching. It also makes it quick and easy to select a bra while getting dressed for any occasion. 
• Especially delicate, lacy or adorned brassieres one piece can be stored on notched or non-slip hangers.
• Bra and panty sets (or other lingerie sets) can be hung together on coupled hangers to keep each set together. 
• Camisoles, silky tops, nighties or singlets with straps are best hung on notched or non-slip hangers. 
• Strapless singlets and nighties can be hung over a bar hanger from the midsection or on a padded pants hanger.
• Sport and athletic bras can generally be folded in half and “filed” in a drawer. Drawer organizer are also helpful to keep items neat and tidy.

Anything else you should know cleaning or storing lingerie?

Spot stain treatment option #1: Spritz the area with water and apply a tiny drop of liquid dish soap directly to the stain. Then, gently massage the stains in a circular motion until it lathers.

Spot stain treatment option #2: Spritz the area then gently rub with a bar of Fels Naptha laundry soap in small circular motions until lather. Alternatively, you can use a bar of Ivory soap (or hypoallergenic soap) in the same way.

Spot stain treatment. a tiny drop of liquid dish soap and a spritz of water applied directly to the stain and gently massaged with a circular motion until it lathers.

Spot stain treatment. Wet stain directly then gently rub with a bar of Fels Naptha laundry soap in small circular motions. Alternatively, you can use a bar of Ivory soap (or hypoallergenic soap) in the same way.