To Wash or Not To Wash: How to Correctly Clean Lingerie and Swimwear

Delicate fabrics used in lingerie can pose a challenge when it comes to washing. Some of the dilemmas may include washing methods, treatments, stain removal etc. Here are some useful tips on how to maintain your beautiful lingerie collection.

Washing

When it comes to lingerie, handwashing is always the best and safest method of cleaning. You should never wash delicates in your washing machine (unless you hate them).

1. Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a Lingerie Wash or delicate wash. We recommend the SoPure Lingerie Laundry Wash.

1. Carefully submerge your lingerie into the basin and gently agitate the water to form bubbles. Let the items soak for a maximum of 30 minutes.
2. DO NOT soak garments with colourful and contrasting colours, as the accent colours might “bleed” onto the lighter colours. Items with metal accents should also not be soaked as they might rust or discolour. In this case wash and rinse immediately after washing.

1. Make sure to separate garments of different colours as dies in the fabric can release a bit of colour specially in the first wash. So, if you find colours in the water, relax! It’s normal!
2. Thoroughly rinse by running lukewarm water through the garments. Repeat the process until all the soap is gone.
3. Remove excess water from the items by gently pressing on them. DO NOT wring or squeeze. To remove maximum water lay a towel on a flat surface, place your lingerie on the towel, and add another towel on top. Apply pressure from the top. The towels will absorb extra moisture from the garments.
4. When you are done pressing the water out, lay them out flat on a drying rack or dry towel. Air drying is always the best method when it comes to your dainty and sexy bras and panties.
5. For wrinkle removal, do not use a flat iron directly on the fabric. We strongly recommend steaming undergarments.
6. SPECIAL NOTES: when washing corsets make sure to not bend or twist the boning as it will permanently damage and distort them. Never rub items with embellishments such as rhinestones or sequins as they will most likely fall off.

Removing Stains from Lingerie

You might be faced with the tough challenge of removing stains from your delicate lingerie. Most stains can be removed with pre-treatment of the fabric prior to washing while tougher stains may require the professional help of dry cleaners. Spray a special gentle stain remover on the stain and the surrounding area. We recommend the SoPure Stubborn Stain Remover as it’s extra gentle on both your fabrics and your skin.

Please make sure to test a smaller slightly more hidden area of the garment with the stain remover prior to spraying larger areas of your lingerie.

Faux Leather: To Wash or Not To Wash

Faux leather garments or lingerie with faux leather accents are quite tricky to care for since they can crack or discolour when exposed to water and detergents. Check the label for care instructions before washing your faux leather lingerie to see whether or not it’s washable.

To determine if you can wash your faux leather garment try the following:

1. Find a spot on the leather that is not easily noticeable and wipe that section with a piece of wet cloth and allow to air dry. If that particular spot on the leather is not discoloured or damaged, your lingerie piece should be safe to handwash.
2. Use Lingerie Wash or Delicate Wash with lukewarm water to hand-wash your leather adorned lingerie. Make sure not to twist or rub the fabric.
3. Continuously dip the garment in the soapy water and follow the same procedure in a basin filled with clean water until all soapy water is gone.
4. Proceed to removing water from the garment by laying a towel on a flat surface, placing your lingerie on the towel, and adding another towel on top. Apply pressure from the top. The towels will absorb extra moisture from the garment.
5. Gently stretch out your garment to reduce wrinkles and allow it to dry on a flat surface lined with a dry towel.
6. Do not iron or steam faux leather garments.

If you are unsure of washing your faux leather garments you might want to ask your local dry cleaners for a professional opinion.

Washing Swimwear

Have you ever pulled out your swimwear from the drawer after a few months only to find the stretch completely gone? This deterioration is common after many uses but you can prolong the life of your swimwear by maintaining the integrity of the fabric.

1. Ensure good rinsing after a nice relaxing dip. Salt and chlorine are harmful to any fabric, especially when it sits for long periods of time.
2. Religiously wash your swimwear the same way you would a delicate bra or panty.
3. Handwash your swimsuit by filling a basin with clean water and add 2 capfuls of either Lingerie Wash. Let the item soak for 30 minutes, and rinse.
4. You can gently squeeze out the water but to preserve the fabric’s elasticity, do not wring or twist.
5. Never use the dryer to dry your swimsuit. Instead, let it air dry by hanging or by simply laying it flat on a drying rack.

With these tips you can keep your intimates fresh and lasting much longer.

By Priscilla Olivier