Lingerie Bargains

Most lingerie is expensive and delicate and you want to keep it looking its best. It is highly recommended to only handwash your delicate items, but if you’re like most of us, machine washing saves time. Always check the label sewn into your lingerie. If items are washable, it is always a good idea to use a lingerie bag to keep them separate. A mesh bag prevents tangling and reduces surface wear from friction against tougher fabrics. If you do use the washing machine, make sure to only use the delicate cycle, cool water and a gentle detergent. By caring for your lingerie properly, you will extend its life and enjoy it for many years to come. (If you don’t have a delicates bag, pop your lingerie into a pillow case and knot the end. It works just as well)

It is best to never put bras, panties and shapewear in the dryer. Heat breaks down spandex fibers and elastic. Line-drying (in the shade, preferably) is recommended. If the dryer must be used, first lightly shake out the items to untwist them. This will allow quicker, more even drying and reduce wrinkling. Most lingerie fibers have low moisture absorbency so they are fast drying and should be dried on a low temperature setting. I sometimes dry them while still in the delicates wash bag.

Additional Tips for Caring for Lingerie and delicates:

•Sort articles by color, washing whites, darks and medium colors separately. Lighter garments can pick up dyes from darker colors.
•Separate man-made fibers from natural fibers. Man-made fibers can attract the oils that are released from natural fibers during washing. These oils build up over time and make the spots on the man-made fibers more obvious.
•Sort delicate fabrics from tougher fabrics like denim and terry cloth. This will lessen the friction of fabrics against each other. Ideally wash delicates on their own.
•Lint-generating fabrics (fleece, towels) should be washed separately from lingerie. The lint clings to the lingerie fabrics.

Special instructions for caring for silk:

Silk lingerie is strong but very delicate – so extra care must be taken when washing it. Use only a mild soap or silk wash. Never use detergent on silk. Soak the lingerie in warm water for about five minutes. Agitate gently, but do not twist it. Rinse well using cold water (you may add a teaspoon of vinegar to the rinse to remove all traces of soap). Roll the lingerie in a towel and lay flat to dry. Iron while slightly damp or you can hang the lingerie in a steamy bathroom to remove wrinkles.

Silk Don’ts
•Don’t expose silk lingerie to direct sunlight as it will fade
•Don’t attempt to clean a spot on silk lingerie with water
•Don’t spray perfume on silk

Special instructions for nylon:

Nylon (used in most hosiery) is one of the materials that can be washed using the delicate cycle of your washing machine. It is also one that can be dried in the drier; however, make sure to add a dryer sheet to avoid static electricity. Otherwise, your pantyhose will stick to everything — and that’s never a good thing.

Other points:

Bras-  Most of us have our ‘everyday’ bras and ‘special occasion’ bras. If you only have a couple of everyday bras, and you are wearing each one every second day (we highly recommend washing yours bras after each use), you can expect that bra to last approx. 3 to 6 months, depending on the quality. After this length of time, your bra will have lost it’s support. A lot of people don’t realise this, and continue to wear it after this time. You are not doing your breasts or silhouette any favours.

Corsets- These can be one of the most expensive pieces in your lingerie collection. They just do not fair well in a washing machine. Some are made with steel boning, which will rust if washed too often. It is highly recommended to have them professionally dry cleaned, but if you can’t afford the expense, here are a few tips. – Instead of washing your corset every time you wear it, use a damp cloth to clean its lining. – Try wearing a thin camisole underneath it to prevent any excess perspiration that can dirty it. – It’s always a good idea to treat your corset with a fabric protector before wearing it. That way if anything spills on it, it can easily be wiped off.

Leather- Leather clothing and lingerie can last a lifetime if cleaned and maintained properly. It is really important to follow the manufacturers care instruction label. Here are some other hints. ·    If your leather clothing or leather lingerie becomes wet, let it dry at room temperature. – If your leather clothing or leather lingerie becomes stained, gently blot liquid stains with a clean cloth. – It is a good idea to use a repellent product to condition your leather item. – Store your leather clothing or leather lingerie on a wide wooden, plastic or padded hanger to help maintain the shape. – Do not store your leather clothing or leather lingerie in a hot or damp area. – Leather clothing and leather lingerie needs to be stored in a temperature controlled environment. – If you will be covering your leather when you are storing it; cover it with a breathable cloth like cotton sheets. – Do not cover your leather clothing or leather lingerie with plastic. The plastic will cause the leather to dry out. – Avoid exposing your leather to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time.