Lingerie Guide: How to take good care of your intimates?

Before you reach for your wallet to buy new lingeries and bras, consider saving the ones you already have. With these tips, you can maximize the lives of your intimates, and minimize your spending. A win-win situation no?

#1 Hand wash or use laundry bag

We all know it’s recommended to hand wash our intimates, including lingerie, underwear and shapewear. But let’s face it, sometimes we’re too lazy to do it. If you must toss them in the washing machine, place your lingeries inside a laundry bag first. These mesh bags will keep them from twisting out of shape. Remember to set the machine to the delicates/ hand wash cycle! However for silk pieces, dry clean for best results.

#2 Wash with delicates only

It’s tempting to wash everything in one load and get it over and done with but when it comes to undergarments, wash with other delicates only! You don’t want them to catch sweater or towel lints.

#3 Don’t be lazy to separate colours

If you want to keep your lingeries sexy, separate dark from light colours. A baby pink lingerie with dark stains doesn’t sound sexy at all.

#4 Wash every 2-3 wears

You can wear your bras two to three times before washing but avoid wearing them for two consecutive days. Give some time for the rubber band to rest so you don’t get a misshaped bra. Sports bras are more like underwear — you have to wash them after every wear.

#5 Hook bra together

The hooks in your bra are small but mighty. Avoid them from ruining other delicates by hooking all your bras together upon washing. It also prevents the straps and rear parts from twisting.

#6 No twisting or squashing

Speaking of twisting, you especially do not want to twist or squash the padded part of your lingeries. Instead, place the back of your palm, slightly curved, against the inside lining of the pad and gently apply pressure with your other hand from the opposite side to squeeze water out.

#7 Use delicate detergents

This tip is not only good for your garments, but your hands as well. Use detergents formulated especially for delicates because regular ones might contain harsh chemicals like chlorine, which are capable of damaging intricate fabrics.

#8 No hot water

Soak your undergarments in 10-15 minutes before rinsing them, using cold water throughout. Hot water breaks down delicate fabrics and damages the elastics and spandex in your undergarments.

#9 No dryer and absolutely no iron

The no-heat rule continues post-wash. Never toss your delicates in a tumble dryer as it carries the same repercussions as hot water — if not worse. To prevent your underwear from shrinking and lingeries from misshaping, air dry them or place them on top of a towel instead. Needless to say, no ironing required.

 #10 Proper stowage

After following all of the tips above, you don’t want to miss this last step. Store your undergarments properly, especially those with wires and padding, so the next time you wear them they will fit and flatter your body without a hitch.

Natasha Gan