Washing your Lingerie...
Washing your Lingerie....
Once you've worn your lingerie, you're going to want to get it clean and ready for its next use. The first thing you should do is check the care label, which is normally found sewn into a seam.
We recommend always sticking to the manufactures guidelines for care, but here's some tips that might help you.
To Machine Wash or Not?
Should i machine wash? In general, we advise to only hand wash lingerie to keep it in its best condition for as long as possible. However, it does depend on the type and quality of the materials used, so make sure you check the care label.
Bustiers, Corsets and Basques should always be washed by hand.
If you do decide to wash your lingerie in the washing machine, here are some tips for doing as little damage as possible:
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It sounds obvious, but it's important to separate colours into white, dark and separate colours for each wash. You don't want your white teddy coming out of the machine a pink colour!
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Select the delicate or wool setting with a low water temperature and gentle spin cycle on your machine. Avoid colour changes and shrinkage with a low wash temperature
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Only wash your delicates with similarly lightweight fabrics - save the jeans for another load!
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For machine washable bras, fasten hooks and eyes to avoid tangling or snagging.
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Put your garments in a net bag or a pillow case before popping them in the machine. Without any protection, your bra underwiring can tear fabric and ruin your washing machine, and detailing on lingerie can get caught and ripped. Lingerie wash bags are easy to pick up at your local Woolworths, Coles or Target.
How to Hand Wash Your Lingerie
'Hand Wash Only' shouldn't be a worry when you read it on the label. Here are some tips for easy hand washing:
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Start off by filling your sink with cold or warm (not hot!) water and add a little gentle detergent.
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Soak your lingerie for about 10 minutes before gently rubbing stained or dirty areas. Then, rinse in cool water until the water runs clear.
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Lace should be treated slightly differently from most other fabrics. Before you hand wash lace you should take the time to pre-treat any stains. You can use a stain remover, but remember to check if it's suitable for use with lace.
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Then, simply fill a sink with some warm water, add gentle soap and gently agitate the lace. Move the fabric around in the soapy water with your hand.
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After you have washed the lace you can empty the sink and refill it with cool water to rinse the garment.
How to Dry Lingerie
Under no circumstances, ever, should you put your lingerie in a tumble dryer.
The heat from a dryer breaks down the Lycra, spandex and elastic, drastically shortening the life of your precious sexy lingerie.
Don’t Wring
Do not wring lingerie. Any wringing, even hand wringing, can create wrinkles and creases that can be tough to remove. A better method is to gently squeeze out the excess water or press the garment between two clean, dry towels to remove the excess water - then allow it to dry naturally.
Line Drying
Line drying or drip dry is the best choice when it comes to lingerie. But avoid drying your lingerie in direct sunlight as the sun’s rays can discolour fabric over time. In the shade or even overnight are good options for outside drying.
For inside drying, place your garment flat on a clothes horse in a well-ventilated area to dry naturally.
Remember that clothes pegs can leave marks, so peg with care or avoid pegs if you can.
Now you know how to care for your sexy lingerie, lets get adding to your collection!