Your padded push-up bras need special treatment in the laundry – our methods clean lingerie but still keep its shape
WE splash a lot of cash on gorgeous lingerie, so it only figures that we take care of it.
But throwing lacey bras and matching panties in a hot wash can spell ruin.
Many of us have learned to our cost that padded push-up bras need special treatment in the laundry department.
Fortunately, there are experts out there who have shared their methods to keep lingerie clean but still keep its shape.
This could be the end of misshapen and shriveled items from the washer.
Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Boyd are New York City fashion executives who co-founded The Laundress in 2004.
“We were frustrated with the lack of laundry solutions available to clean wardrobe investments at home,” they said.
So, using their expertise, they came up with a few of their own solutions.
Lingerie in particular requires special attention because of its delicate structure.
Follow these steps, they said in their blog, and beautiful lingerie will continue looking good for years to come.
They divided their lingerie laundry hacks into a series of useful steps.
1. SORT
No longer will you be throwing all your bras and panties into one wash. This is a cardinal sin.
Before you do anything else, sort bras and intimates by material and structure.
- Handwash – padded push-ups, and underwire bras
- Machine wash – non-wire, cotton, and sports intimates
- Wash with like colors only
2. TREAT STAINS
We oil our bodies, apply fake tan, wear makeup, and slather ourselves in moisturizer, and lingerie takes the hit.
To remove these stains, use a special stain solution.
- Add a few drops over the stained area
- Using a brush, work carefully, focusing on the areas subject to more staining such as straps, underwire, bands, and underwear liners.
3. HANDWASH
Our experts said this was the “best and safest method for washing bras.”
- Fill a basin or sink with cool water
- Add a delicate wash fabric
- Submerge the item
- Soak for 30 minutes or less
- Rinse with cool water until there are no more traces of soap
- DO NOT WRING
- Instead, press the water out between your hands
What you need to care for lingerie
There are basic tools and products you can use to care for your precious lingerie.
- A gentle stain treatment and fabric brush
- A handwashing formula
- A basin or clean sink for handwashing
- A mesh bag for machine washing
4. MACHINE WASH
Our experts are not opposed to machine-washing lingerie all of the time.
They recognize people lead busy lives and handwashing is not the ideal laundry solution.
But if you do machine wash, invest in a mesh bag.
This will add protection to the delicate items and prevent them from snagging in the machine.
- Select the delicate cycle, low spin, and cold water
- Add a delicate detergent
5. AIR DRY
Do not place your lovely lingerie in a tumble drier, it will be ruinous.
Instead, air dry these delicate items.
- Hang to dry or lay items flat on a drying rack
- Don’t iron instead use a steamer to remove wrinkles
- Freshen with your favorite fabric freshening spray between wearing and washing
6. THE PERFECT FIT
Finally, our friendly experts said to store bras in their original shape to preserve fit.
“Fold bras one cup into the other, smoothing out lumps or dents to avoid distorting the construction,” they said.