How to Care For Lingerie
Each manufacturer will give you specifics on how to care for your individual piece of lingerie that you have purchased.
You have 3 different options when it comes to the care of lingerie, it will depend on the type of fabric that your lingerie has been made from, they are;
a)
Handwash
* Use cold water
* Use a detergent designed for handwashing
* Do not use bleach
* Handwashing can also be done in most modern washing machines on the 'delicate' or 'handwash' cycle
b)
Dry Clean Only
* You will need to take your lingerie to a specialist dry cleaning shop if the manufacturer label says to dry clean only
c)
Machine wash
* Use cold water
* Use the 'delicate' or 'handwash' cycle only
* Use a lingerie bag
* Only put 1 item in at a time in the lingerie bag to prevent tangles
*Always make sure you have done all the fasteners up
* Never use a clothes dryer for your special lingerie as you do not want to destroy the fabric, only use a clothes dryer if it says on the label that it is possible.
* Always follow the manufacturers instructions for washing your lingerie
* This is to be used a guide only
How to care for specific types of fabric
NYLON
* Can be machine washed & put into a clothes dryer set to a low temperature
* Add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle
* Take nylon garments out of the clothes dryer immediately upon the completion of the drying cycle
* If your nylon garment needs to be ironed - use a warm iron
* Always follow the manufacturers instructions for cleaning recommendations
SILK
* Wash in lukewarm water with a mild detergent
* Never use bleach
* A lingerie bag is recommended for washing your silk items in the washing machine
* Always use cool water on your delicate or handwash cycle in the washing machine
* Steaming is the recommended method for removing wrinkles from silk
* For pure silk items it is recommended that you have these dry cleaned
* Always follow the manufacturers instructions for cleaning recommendations
SPANDEX (ELASTANE) OR (LYCRA)
* Handwash or machine wash in lukewarm water
* Do not use chlorine bleach
* Drip dry. If you have to use a clothes dryer then make sure you use a low temperature
* If your spandex garment needs to be ironed then make sure you don't hold the iron in the same spot - move the iron rapidly & use a low temperature setting
* Always follow the manufacturers instructions for cleaning recommendations
ACRYLIC
* Wash delicate items by hand in warm water
* Reduce static electricity by using a fabric softener every 3rd or 4th wash
* Hang your acrylic garment on a non-rust hanger (if it is a jumper then lay flat to dry)
* If your acrylic garment needs to be ironed then use a moderately warm setting
* Always follow the manufacturers instructions for cleaning recommendations
POLYESTER
* Most polyester items can be machine washed & dried
* Use warm water & a fabric softener
* When using a clothes dryer use a low temperature setting & remove garments immediately upon completion of the cycle
* Use a moderately warm iron to iron polyester garments
* Most garments made from polyester can also be dry cleaned
* Always follow the manufacturers instructions for cleaning recommendations
OLEFIN (FIBER MESH) or (POLYPROPYLENE) or (POLYETHYLENE)
* Remove stains by spotting with lukewarm water & detergent
* Bleach can be used if required
* Garments made from Olefin can be line dried or put into a clothes dryer on a gentle heat or no heat setting. Olefin is a rapidly drying fabric
* Do not iron
* Always follow the manufacturers instructions for cleaning recommendations
RAYON
* Bleach can be used, some finishes are senstive to chlorine bleach
* Use mild lukewarm or cool suds. Gently squeeze suds through fabric & rinse in lukewarm water
* DO NOT wring or twist
* Smooth or shake out garment & hang on a non-rust hanger to dry. Jumpers should be laid flat to dry
* If you need to iron your rayon garment then use a moderate setting & do so whilst the garment is still damp, ironing on the wrong side of the garment
* If you iron it on the right side of the garment then be sure to use a press cloth
* Between wearings rayon garments can be ironed with a cool iron
* Always follow the manufacturers instructions for cleaning recommendations