I’m sure your mother told you to always hand wash your bras. Maybe she even gave you a short lesson on how to do it. I’ll bet that once you headed off to college or moved out on your own you kind of just forgot or no longer had time to take special care of your bras and underwear. Well now that you are interested in bra making and lingerie making lets revisit everything our mom told us and maybe some more.
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How do you wash bras and other lingerie?
In general, it is a best practice to hand wash your lingerie using a mild detergent such as Woolite and cool water. However, some would agree that it is okay to machine wash sturdier bras in a mesh bag on the delicate cycle as long as you use a mild detergent, cool water and never ever dry your bra in a machine dryer. That being said, always allow your bras to air dry but do not hang them or they will stretch.
This article will cover the following:
- How to Wash Bras: Hand wash & Machine wash
- How to Wash Underwear: Hand wash & Machine wash
- How to Wash Shapewear: Hand wash & Machine wash
- How to Wash Legwear: Hand wash & Machine wash
Why lingerie needs to be washed differently from regular clothes
Lingerie needs to be washed differently from regular everyday clothes because lingerie fabric typically contains fiber that is elastic or spandex and delicate trims. Elastic wears out over time from general wear. However, it is possible for your elastic fabric to wear out faster if you machine wash lingerie because of the spin cycle, harsh detergents, or washing with water that is too hot. Lingerie is commonly made with other delicate fabrics and trims besides elastic such as lace and sheer fabrics as well. When placed in a washing machine with regular clothing, these fabrics and trims have the possibility of snagging on another piece of clothing and tearing. Whether you are buying or making your own lingerie, it is usually an expensive garment which also factors in to why you want to take extra special care of your lingerie.
Lingerie Laundry Basics – Common Questions
How often should I wash my bras?
Depending on how often you wear your bras it is a good rule of thumb to wash your bras once every one to two weeks. Other factors that will contribute to this will be the climate that you live in, your general environment including common pollutants you are exposed to, and how physically active you are, regardless of whether you workout regularly or not. If you find that you perspire more as an individual or just because your environment I would recommend washing your bra once every 2-4 wears. Otherwise, stick to once a week or once every two weeks if you go through a regular bra rotation.
What type of detergent should I use to wash my lingerie?
Use a mild detergent meant for hand washing delicate items such as Woolite. Here are a few recommended detergents:
Woolite All Clothes Liquid Laundry Detergent: Cold wash detergent that is designed for machine washing although it is gentle enough for hand washing.
Woolite Delicates Hypoallergenic Liquid Laundry Detergent: Gentle liquid detergent for hand washing.
Not into Woolite? Try these recommendations for hand washing:
Tyler Glamour Wash Laundry Detergent
What temperature of water should I use to wash lingerie?
Use cool or warm water. Never use hot water because it can wear down your elastic fibers.
If I can’t use a washing machine, wear should I hand wash my lingerie?
When hand washing your lingerie use a washing bucket such as this one or a clean sink that where you can plug the water flow to allow your garments to soak.
Can I get my lingerie dry cleaned instead?
Dry cleaning lingerie is not recommended. Always follow your garments label. Dry cleaning uses a chemical to remove grease or oil from your garment. It does not clean an item the way hand washing will especially an item that has bodily secretions such as lingerie.
Supplies:
- Mild detergent – such as Woolite
- Mesh Bag
- Washing bin (or use a clean sink)
- Washing Machine
- Towel
Optional Supplies:
How To Wash All Types Of Lingerie
How To Wash Bras
There are several types of bras ranging from very delicate to not very delicate at all. An indication of how delicate a bra is would be the type of fabric and trims used. A bra with sheer fabric, lace and other ornamentation lends itself to a more delicate bra. A bra with foam cups that could easily be misshapen or a bra with underwire would also be considered delicate. A cotton soft cup bra with no underwire would be a little less delicate but don’t be deceived because anything with elastic fiber still needs special care.
Hand Wash Bras
To hand wash your bra fill your sink basin or washing bucket with cool to warm water. Add mild detergent based on your chosen detergent’s instructions for use. Soak your bra(s) through then work the soap suds through the fabric. Gently treat any stains or areas that capture odor. You may notice the water changes to a murky color. At this point, drain the water and rinse your bra with cool water until the water runs clear and there are no more suds. If you feel your bra needs a second wash go ahead and do that now.
Drying Your Hand Washed Bra
First and foremost, it is important that you never wring your bra. Gently press any water out of your bra once you have completed rinsing it. Next lay your bra on a dry towel and fold the towel over so the bra is sandwiched between the two sides. Roll the towel with your bra sandwiched between to remove any excess water. Remove your bra and reshape it then air dry it flat preferably on a drying rack but you can get creative here and chose another flat location with good airflow.
Machine Wash Bras
Machine washing your bras is acceptable for sturdier bras that can withstand the spin cycle. When washing your bra(s) in the machine be sure to spot clean your bras first if necessary. Then place your bra in a mesh bag. Wash your bra with like colors on the delicate cycle using cool water and mild detergent. Promptly remove your bra from the machine once it is complete and reshape the cups and untwist where needed. Air dry your bra on a flat surface like a drying rack if available. See Machine Wash Underwear for photos.
How To Wash Underwear
Washing underwear can be done in the same manner as bras. They can even be hand washed together if you’d like! Before washing your underwear consider the fabric and trim types used. For more delicate fabrics such as sheer fabrics or lace it is always best to hand wash. Cotton on the other hand can easily be machine washed. If your underwear has a lot of decorative elements that can easily be ruined in the spin cycle of your washing machine it is best to hand wash these items as well.
Hand Wash Underwear
To hand wash your underwear fill your sink basin or washing bucket with cool to warm water. Add mild detergent based on your chosen detergent’s instructions for use. Soak your underwear through then work the soap suds through the fabric. Gently treat any stains or areas that capture odor. You may notice the water changes to a murky color. At this point, drain the water and rinse your underwear with cool water until the water runs clear and there are no more suds. If you feel your underwear needs a second wash go ahead and do that now. See Hand Wash Bras for photos.
Machine Wash Underwear
When washing your underwear in the machine be sure to spot clean your underwear first if necessary. Then place your underwear in a mesh bag. Wash your underwear with like colors on the delicate cycle using cool water and mild detergent if they are more delicate fabrics. If you are washing cotton underwear it is perfectly fine to wash them in a mesh bag using a normal cycle and warm to hot water. This will eventually wear down the elastic but it will kill any bacteria from bodily secretions. Once the wash is complete, remove your underwear from the machine and reshape and untwist where needed. Air dry your underwear on a drying rack if available.
How To Wash Shapewear
Shapewear is made from very strong elastic and spandex fibers and as a result need to keep their shape so they can keep your shape. 🙂 Shapewear can be machine washed but to stretch out the longevity of this garment it is best to take the extra time and care and hand wash these garments.
Hand Wash Shapewear
Hand washing shapewear follows the same guidelines as bras and underwear. Simply fill your sink basin or washing bucket with cool to warm water. Add mild detergent based on your chosen detergent’s instructions for use. Soak your shapewear garments through then work the soap suds through the fabric. Gently treat any stains or areas that capture odor. You may notice the water changes to a murky color. At this point, drain the water and rinse your shapewear with cool water until the water runs clear and there are no more suds. If you feel your shapewear needs a second wash go ahead and do that now. See Hand Wash Bras for photos.
Machine Wash Shapewear
If you decide to wash your shapewear in a washing machine, follow these steps. First spot clean your garment to remove any stains, perspiration or other bodily secretions. Place your shapewear in a mesh bag then place it in the wash with like colors. If possible, wash your shapewear on the delicate cycle with mild detergent and cool water. Remember consistent use of the washing machine or hot water will wear down the spandex and elastic fibers in your shapewear more quickly. Once the load is complete, remove your shapewear from the machine and reshape it where needed. Air dry your shapewear wear on a drying rack if available. See Machine Wash Underwear for photos.
How To Wash Legwear
Legwear includes stockings, panty-hose, sheer leggings, and tights. It is a best practice to hand wash any and all of these items because they can easily snag or warp with a machine wash. There is nothing worse than putting on something that is supposed to be skin tight and having it sag or ripple instead.
Hand Wash Legwear
To hand wash your leg wear use a sink you can plug or a washing bucket. Fill your sink basin or bucket with cool to warm water then add mild detergent based on the detergent’s instructions for use. Pre-treat any stains using your preferred method. If you are using a pretreatment detergent/solution make sure it is gentle enough to not ruin your delicate legwear. Allow your legwear to soak for about half an hour then drain your sink or bucket and rinse your legwear until the water runs clear and there are no more suds. At this point, you can opt to wash your legwear a second time if it took awhile for the water to run clear or if it has any remaining odors or stains. See Hand Wash Bras for photos.
Machine Wash Legwear
It is not recommended to wash legwear in the washing machine. You may have a small load washing machine connected to your larger machine that may allow for a delicate cycle. It is possible to use this if you are in a pinch but be sure to use a mesh bag, mild detergent and cool water. Then promptly remove your legwear and air dry on a drying rack. See Machine Wash Underwear for photos.
Storing Your Bras and Panties
Now that you know how to wash and dry your lingerie what do you do once it is ready to be put away? Do you have a designated lingerie drawer? I would say that most of us probably have a general underwear and sock drawer. If you are anything like me that drawer somehow gets out of control and to get anything to fit you start pushing everything down until the drawer closes. I’m sure you know as well as I do that we shouldn’t do this but knowing is different than doing. Either way, in order to increase the longevity of your bras make sure that you do not distort the bra cups. You can layer your bras on each other to try to save space but the reality is they just need a little more space than your regular clothes and other undergarments. Your best bet is to reserve a space in your top drawer for your bras or you can use a drawer divider to designate a space for them.
As for your underwear, shapewear, and legwear. These can be easily folded and placed in little underwear organizer cubbies next to your bras.
Quick Do’s and Don’ts
- DO wash your bras and underwear every few wears especially if you perspired or stained them.
- DON’T wash your lingerie in hot water.
- DO wash you lingerie in cool to warm water.
- DON’T machine wash delicate fabrics such as sheer fabrics, lace and anything with delicate decorative elements.
- DO machine wash or hand wash sturdier bras such as everyday bras.
- DON’T dry clean your lingerie.
- DO reshape and air dry your lingerie after it is washed.
- DON’T machine wash legwear if possible.
- DO use a mesh bag for your lingerie if you are washing it in the washing machine.
- DON’T dry your lingerie in a machine dryer.
- DO use a mild detergent when machine washing or hand washing your lingerie.
- DON’T wringe your lingerie to remove excess water.
- DO use a towel to remove excess water from your washed lingerie.
- DON’T hang your bras to dry.
- DO place your bra on a flat surface to dry.
Conclusion
Lingerie is a basic component of your wardrobe so it is important to take care of it as best as possible. Not only is lingerie expensive if buying retail or time consuming to make on your own but it can really transform an outfit. Lingerie is an investment and the better you care for that investment the better off you and your pocketbook will be in the long run. I hope you can use these guidelines to create good habits for caring for and laundering your lingerie. You won’t regret it!
Happy lingerie making!
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