Once you have spent all your money on your favorite set of sexy lingerie, the last thing you wish for is to see it ruined when you wash it for the first time. Women's lingerie is not like other clothing and it needs special care when it comes to washing.
You certainly cannot treat a babydoll the same way as a shirt and you cannot throw a pair of sheer panties with a pair of jeans to the washing machine. Well, you can, but the outcome will be a trip to a lingerie store to replace the item (and you will be lucky if you succeed - washing guidelines should be obeyed no matter what)
Since washing guidelines may be confusing, we present you with simple tips that will help you keep the shape of your favorite lingerie. You should remember nothing lasts forever, but with our help your underwear will last longer.
Nowadays, women are lucky to have a wide choice of fabrics and materials when it comes to sexy lingerie, which makes it easier to care for it. What is more, most today's intimate apparel comes with tags recommending how to care for satin babydolls, lace teddies or silken bras. You should follow these recommendations if you want your lingerie to last.
Following the tags, you will be able to separate different pieces of underwear into different washes - dry clean only, hand wash or machine wash. You should always remember to read the label, because a mistake can be very costly. So, let us look at some different types of cleaning.
Dry clean only
Dry cleaning is probably the easiest option as the item can be cleaned exclusively at a specialist shop. Still, it can cause some problems - not everyone is very pleased with the idea that their most private piece of intimate apparel is to be cleaned by a stranger. There is a solution, though, since dry cleaning products that can be used at home are available in stores. It is also a more economical solution.
Machine Wash
The modern washing machine is time saving and practical, but, unfortunately, it can cause major damage to delicate fabrics if you do not follow the instructions. You should always wash your underwear in cold water and use a detergent uniquely recommended for delicates. Do not use bleach - it is one of the strongest detergents and can damage your sheer lingerie. Also, you should never mix dark and light colors in a washing machine. Combine this with the delicate cycle on your washing machine and, this way, your lingerie should be fine with repeated washes.
However, you should be extremely careful with lace trims, ribbons and any details that need special care. Especially exotic lingerie, sexy bustiers, teddies or camisoles are equipped with such lace delicate details. Putting these items into washing machine can be dangerous, even if you follow all instructions carefully. One way to avoid any damage is to put the underwear into a special lingerie bag (a mesh bag that allows all detergents in, but prevents lingerie from being stretched - you can buy it in most stores) for extra rotection. Remember to put only one item into one bag. Make sure all the buttons and hook and eyes are fastened, all the zippers are closed and ribbons tied.
Hand Wash
Most women agree that hand wash is the best way to avoid unpleasant surprises. It is the alternative to machine wash, but the principles are very similar - always wash in cold water and use a delicate detergent. Soak the items in a bowl filled with water and detergent for a half and hour, drain, and refill the bowl with clean water (no detergent this time). After another half an hour, drain the water again and that is enough in most cases. When it comes to stains and odors, it is always better to repeat the process. Do not wring out your lingerie - it can affect its shape.
Drying
Once again, due to the delicate fabrics your lingerie is made of, it is always better to hang dry or flat dry your underwear. Never use dryers, since they can cause irreversible damage to your silken chemise or satin babydoll. If you insist on using the dryer, then leave the pieces in the lingerie bag and set the dryer the lowest possible setting. Sheer fabrics, such as mesh or chiffon (sometimes also lace) need no heat to dry.
Taking into consideration all the tips above, you will have no problem maintaining your sexy lingerie in their best shape. If you follow all the instructions, your matching lingerie sets, bustiers, babydolls and camisoles should look as good as new after numerous washes.