There's a reason lingerie is often referred to as "delicates", even when it's something that's not-so-small. Satin, silk and lace are particularly fragile fabrics, and they need a little extra care and attention to keep them in their luxurious condition.
That’s why lingerie care and cleaning is an important thing to get right. After all, the last thing you want is for that favourite comfortable bra to come out of the wash in tatters, or that naughty outfit that makes you feel your fiercest in the bedroom to shrink down to doll-size! There are a few things to consider when it comes to how to wash lingerie and store it correctly, and we’re here to share them.
How to clean lingerie is as simple as reading the label! We know this is pretty much ‘washing clothes 101’, but sometimes we all need a little reminder to read the label! Before you throw a load of washing into the machine, take care and make sure you’ve checked exactly what the washing instructions are for each item and actually do what it says - they’re there for a reason, you know!
But what if there's no label, or you've snipped it out for a smoother line, or thrown away the packaging that had the washing instructions? Well, we've got you covered – these tips will keep your lingerie (and you, of course) looking stunning for a long time to come.
Bras can be one of the most difficult items to take care of, but as an everyday item that is so important to our comfort, they need to be given a little more special attention. We’ve all got those bras that fit just right (if you don’t, take a look at our bra fitting guide), or those that make us look and feel great, so here are a few tips to help them last longer.
When it comes to lingerie washing, which way is best? Our top recommendation is to hand wash when you can! Hand wash only is a common warning sign on lingerie labels, but even if you've got the green light to bung it in the machine you might want to consider hand washing. Yes, it takes a little longer – but it'll take far better care of your favourite pieces.
In a hurry? The washing machine can be a decent (if slightly riskier) way to wash your lingerie. You do have to be a little more cautious and make sure you’re extra careful with the settings.
Not everyone has time to hand wash their delicates – we would still recommend it for anything particularly flimsy, expensive, or much-loved, but for anything more everyday you can generally machine wash them safely.
Here's our step-by-step guide to letting the machine do most of the work:
Remember, using the washing machine can be a little risky when it comes to certain materials like silk, lace or satin, so those previous tips around reading the labels and hand washing where you can remain just as important.
How you dry your lingerie is just as important as how you wash it. We would say that we’ve got a list of do’s and don’ts for drying… but it’s mostly don’ts!
Why? Well, the heat can damage the fabric, especially anything stretchy – you might be left with something a little on the limp side after a tumble or two. Wringing will cause creases, no matter how gentle you are.
Yes, it takes longer, but it's the best way – drip drying on the line, or as flat as possible on a clothes horse is the best way. Be careful hanging it up outside, as too much sunlight can discolour fabric – though it'll take a few drying sessions for that to happen.
We'd all love a walk-in closet, but sometimes an overflowing lingerie drawer is the only option. The way you store your lingerie can actually cause some real damage, so here's our advice:
Of course, storing your lingerie correctly will help it last a lot longer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself and find some more pieces to add to your collection!
Whether you’re looking for new bras to keep you comfortable all day, or corsets and basques to simply sizzle in the bedroom, our lingerie section has plenty to choose from.