 | ||
| Your browser is not supported. | ||
|
Please browse our site using any of the following options:
| ||
The Ultimate Lingerie & Delicates Wash Guide How to Wash Underwear and Bras
Lingerie like bras, underwear, shapewear, silk and lace intimates are investment pieces in our wardrobe. They help protect our outer garments from body oils and fluids while supporting, sculpting and creating more flattering silhouettes in our favourite outfits. That's why washing delicates and lingerie and cleaning them correctly is critical to help improve their longevity, structure and shape. By using the tips and tricks in this guide to wash your lingerie, you can keep it looking beautiful for the years to come. Let's dive in!
Quick Links
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How To Wash Lingerie
- Best Ways To Wash Different Underwear Types
- How To Fold & Store Your Underwear Perfectly
- How Often Should You Buy New Bras?
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you wash lingerie and shapewear?
It's a good idea to wash delicates like bras after every 2 to 4 wears. Think of them like your jeans - while you can get away without washing them after every wear, they need looking after and cleaning after a few uses. If you're working out in your bras or sweating because of hot and humid weather, wash your bra after every wear. Sweat will wear down the bra's elastic, which means washing can help improve your its lifespan. Underwear like panties, which come in direct contact with our body fluids, will need washing after every use.
Should delicates be washed separately in a washing machine?
Wash your delicate underwear and bras separately from your standard laundry. Cutting corners and cleaning on the wrong cycle could cause permanent damage.
What are lingerie wash bags?
Lingerie wash bags are protective mesh pouches designed to safeguard delicate garments during machine washing. The Sash & Rose Wash Bags 2 Pack is a perfect example, offering durable, fine mesh construction that prevents snags and stretching while allowing thorough cleaning. With its convenient zip closure and generous size, it's ideal for bras, lingerie and other delicate items, ensuring longevity and protection for your favourite pieces.
What temperature should I wash underwear at?
Wash in warm to cold water at a maximum temperature of 40C. Some delicates need a lower water temperature, so check the garment care label.
How should I wash shapewear?
Wash your shapewear only in cool water, and check the care label to determine if it can go in the washing machine. Avoid tumble drying, as this could affect its elasticity.
How To Wash Lingerie
Clean underwear and bras are life essentials, and careless machine or hand washing can quickly wear out their elasticity, colour and durability. That's why we've covered the washing essentials below, breaking down the steps based on whether you choose to hand or machine wash. As a rule of thumb, start by sorting out your underwear. If you're washing bras, sort them by material. For instance, push-up bras, lace bras and supportive underwires should be washed by hand, while sports bras and non-wiry cotton intimates are ok to machine wash.
How do I hand wash underwear?
Handwashing is gentle on your lingerie and underwear, making it the preferred way to clean your undergarments. If you want to learn how to hand wash bras and underwear, read and follow the steps below.
- To soak the underwear and bras, you'll need a washing container like a bucket, sink basin or plastic tub.
- Fill this tub or basin with warm (not hot) water with a tablespoon of mild detergent. Next, drop your panties and bras in.
- Swish your delicates for a little while to ensure the water and detergents work their way into the fabric. Leave them to soak for about 10 to 15 mins.
- Drain the soapy water and clean the basin or bucket. Use your hands to remove soap and detergent from the bras, but don't squeeze or wring them too hard.
- Take your delicates out of the water and remove all excess water without squeezing too hard.
- Air dry your bras on a flat surface or hang them on a clothesline or hanger.
Delicates washing tip
Using mild detergent is a great idea, but it may be worthwhile investing in a specially formulated lingerie wash for a gentler rinse.
How do I wash delicates in a washing machine?
While machine washing will wear our bras and underwear faster and handwashing is highly recommended, sometimes using a washing machine is the only option. If you want to reduce wear and tear during a machine wash, use the following precautions.
- Always use laundry accessories like a lingerie/mesh/wash bag.
- Read the garment's care instructions. This will tell you how to wash delicates in the washing machine. If machine washing is not recommended, stick to hand washing only.
- Always set your washing machine to the correct cycle and water temperature. This information will also be available on the care tag.
- Remove all washed clothes from the washer and put them out to dry immediately to avoid mould, mildew growth and any stale odours.
- If you're machine washing bras, hook your bras shut before placing them inside the lingerie wash bag. This will protect the elastic on your bra straps from getting stretched out.
- Where possible, refrain from fabric softeners, which can leave harmful residues. This is especially true for all delicate underwear.
How To Dry Lingerie
While tumble dryers are convenient to use, it is best to air dry your bras on a drying rack. Avoid putting your delicates and bras in the dryer. The heat will damage the elastic and cause your garments to lose their bounce and elasticity over time. Tumble dryers can reduce the lifespan of your bras and damage them.
To dry bras after washing, simply lay on a drying rack and gently shape the cups to restore their form. When drying bras, keep them away from direct sunlight as this may cause fading and damage.
Best Ways To Wash Different Underwear Types
Cotton underwear
For the best care of cotton underwear, start by sorting by colour - keep darks and lights separate. Machine wash your underwear on a gentle cycle using warm or cold water to preserve fabric quality. Avoid harsh detergents and bleach. After washing, hang dry to prevent shrinkage and maintain elasticity. This method ensures your cotton underwear stays soft, fresh and long-lasting.
Microfibre and synthetic fabrics
To wash microfibre and synthetic fabric underwear, use cold or warm water on a regular cycle to maintain fabric integrity. Avoid hot water and harsh detergents, as they can damage elasticity and fibres. After washing, air dry instead of using a dryer to prevent shrinkage and preserve the material's softness, stretchiness and longevity.
Lingerie, sheer and mesh undergarments
Hand wash when in doubt, especially anything silky or lacy. If the garment's care tag says it's ok to machine wash, do so only on the most delicate cycle. Zip these garments in a protective mesh bag and wash them in cold to warm water.
5 quick tips on how to wash lingerie
- Separate your underwear from the rest of your laundry before washing them. This is essential because it will protect the delicate fabrics from damage and prevent bacterial transfer.
- If you're curious and want to learn how to clean your delicates, the best place to start is the item's label. Follow the manufacturer's washing instructions because the last thing you want to do is ruin your favourite bra or panty because you didn't wash it correctly!
- If there are stains on your lingerie, apply a stain remover or detergent by rubbing it into the stained fabric. You can also use baking soda on the affected areas until the stain disappears. Remember to pretreat any stains before throwing the items into a washer.
- Always turn your delicates inside out before placing them inside the mesh washing bag. Run your washing machine on the lowest spin cycle to avoid damage.
- Take time to soak your delicates in cold or mildly warm water before you wash. This time investment will pay off, helping break down stains and other dirt. A good soak is always your first line of defence against stains, saving your garments the usual wear and tear.
How To Fold & Store Your Underwear Perfectly
If one thing rings true for most of us, it's that our underwear drawers are generally messy and cluttered. Our bras, socks, tights and panties end up tangled together. Try these tips for folding underwear and lingerie to keep them organised.
How to fold underwear?
- Lay the underwear flat in front of you.
- Fold lengthwise by taking the crotch or lower section of the underwear to the waistband. This will fold your panty in half.
- Take the left side of the underwear and fold it back to the centre. Do the same for the right side.
- Lastly, lift the left side and fold till it meets the right side, and voila - you're done!
How to fold bras?
Is there anything better than opening an organised lingerie drawer and seeing your gorgeous collection perfectly folded like an in-store display? Keeping your lingerie drawer organised will help you get ready in the morning, and protect your bras too.
Folding non-padded, sports and non-wire bras
- Place the bra face down on a flat surface.
- Hide the straps by folding them down. This will create a rectangle. Doing this will keep your straps tucked in and prevent them from getting tangled in the drawer.
- Next, fold the bra in half, with one cup tucked inside the other, and you're done! To make it tidier, or if you're short on space, you can fold the bra in thirds.
Folding moulded, push-up or underwire bras
- Clasp the hooks first and lay the bra flat.
- Stack bras in a way that the cups of each bra rest on the cups of the bra beneath it.
- Protect the cups by stuffing socks under the cups of the bottommost bra. This will help preserve their shape and stop the cups from caving inward.
- Alternatively, you could fold your bras by placing one cup into the other and protect them underneath with a sock.
Bra organisation tip
Drawer inserts can be a great addition to your lingerie drawer- you could use them to arrange your bras into categories, such as everyday, t-shirt, fancy, and sport, or by colour for a pretty rainbow effect.
How Often Should You Buy New Bras?
If you're buying good-quality lingerie, it should last you around two years before it needs to be replaced. The key is to have at least three or four everyday bras on rotation, so you have plenty of time to wash and dry them between wears. Sports bras may need to be replaced more often, particularly if you've been doing high-impact exercise. Keep an eye out for signs of wear and tear, such as fraying fabric, bent or missing hooks, or escaping underwires. It's also a good idea to reassess your bra size regularly, especially if you've gained or lost weight or if you're expecting a baby.
When it's time to say goodbye to your favourite bra, don't chuck it in the landfill bin! There are several charities that collect bras for women in need, or if it's too worn out to donate, you may be able to send it off for recycling. Alternatively, if you're feeling crafty, you could even upcycle it into a bustier or sew it into a strapless dress - there are heaps of tutorials online to inspire you!
The Only Delicates Wash Guide You Need at Harris Scarfe
Washing delicates like bras and other lingerie is easier with a handy list of steps and techniques. If you're in the market to shop for bras and want to get your fit right, this bra sizing and fitting guide is all you'll need. We've also got a women's underwear guide to help you with topics around sizing, comfort and care. Visit us online or in-store and for more inspiration, don't forget to check out our Fashion Hub, with helpful articles such as:
