Lingerie is the basic part of women’s clothing. People wear them on a daily basis and during significant events. When it comes to cleaning and maintaining your lingerie, however, it gets complicated because of the presence of easily torn fabric. In this blog post, we will examine the do’s and don’ts concerning proper wearing of lingerie.
Why Lingerie Care Matters?
Lingerie is in most cases made up of soft and smooth materials such as satin, silk, and lace. There is the need for sensitivity when washing, drying, and even storing these materials. The improper management of a certain type of lingerie will influence the textures, flexibility, and fitting of the material. There are certain methods, practices, and recommendations that can help you avoid all these while washing your lingerie.
Fabrics Used in Lingerie
Before knowing about the care techniques, it is essential to best understand the different types of fabrics that are commonly used in lingerie. Different types of fabrics need different care methods:
- Cotton: Cotton lingerie is very soft and breathable; it is typically washed in the machines.
- Silk: These are luxuries and delicate and require hand washing and air drying for maintaining their softness and shine.
- Lace: This lingerie can be worn as an aesthetic appeal; lace can be fragile, so these can be washed with high care.
- Satin: fabric which is quite soft and smooth, however, it requires delicate washing to keep its shine.
Each and every fabric comes with its separate mode of upkeep, hence it is always advisable to check the care label for instructions prior to cleaning of the inner wear.
Best Practices for Washing Lingerie
From all the stages of taking care of a lingerie, washing is the most critical. Consider the following best practices in washing your lingerie.
1. Hand Wash Whenever Possible
The most appropriate method for cleaning most types of fragile garments is hand wash. This is because, in hand wash, there is no stretching, twisting, or hurting of the fabric. Take lukewarm water and a detergent into the basin, mix them up. Place the garment in the soapy water while gently rubbing with the tips of your fingers. Then, use cool water to rinse off any remaining detergent.
2. Use a Lingerie Bag for Machine Washing
When hand wash is not an option. Do not forget to put on a lingerie bag to avoid damaging the lingerie in the machine. These bags help in keeping together the underwear, bras and even panty which would normally move freely in the washer. Always wash only on the gentle cycle of the washing machine and never use fabric softeners as they compromise the materials of these delicate undergarments.
3. Choose the Right Detergent
A common rule for lingerie care always opts for mild washing powders as it contains no vasmol or aromatic additives. Special specialized washing powders are also available to aid in cleaning of underwear comprising very soft and delicate material. Bleaches and conditioners should be avoided as they tend to damage delicate materials and also ruin their colors.
4. Avoid Washing with Other Clothes
The most ideal would be washing the lingerie alone and away from other garments, especially those that have some zippers, hooks, or rough textures. This is because they would ruin the delicate fabrics of the lingerie. It is better to wash them with similar materials that are lightweight and soft.
5. Use Cold Water
Most fabrics may tend to shrink or loose color, ruining the fabric when washed with hot water. If you intend to safeguard the quality of your lingerie, then make it a point to always use cold water. Cold water does not have any adverse effects on the elastic fabrics present in lingerie.
Conclusion:
Giving proper attention to lingerie maintenance is necessary if one wants to enjoy the quality, comfort and durability of these pieces for a long time. Lingerie mostly made of silk, lace, cotton, satin fabrics, are usually washed and stored in a careful way. Hand washing is the safest technique, but if washing in a machine is unavoidable, a lingerie bag and delicate cycle are a must. Choose porous detergents, do not combine any girdle with hard and rough textiles, and invariably use cold water it is detrimental to the elasticity and color as well. Adhering to these care guidelines will keep your underwear supple, light and gorgeous for several years.
