One must be careful with lingerie more than possibly any other clothing item when washing. There are so many different types of fabrics that you have to be aware that you cannot wash them all the same way. The best thing to do is to wash the articles by hand to be sure that they aren't damaged. You also should only use mild detergents or even a fabric softener only. Some fabrics are very prone to being damaged such as those made of lace or mesh. This is because they tend to easily get caught on other rougher fabrics and are easily torn. This is why they should be washed separately. Some lingerie articles require dry cleaning so be sure to read the tags and mark down the cleaning instructions somewhere.



Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and rayon can be machine washed and dried if needed but this should be done on a very limited basis so that the garment doesn't lose its elasticity and shine. The better choice again is to wash them in the sink with a mild detergent because a detergent that is too strong will cause colors to fade and cause the threads to come undone. Many lingerie garments also have underwire and padding that can wear out much more quickly if they are washed to harshly or too frequently.

Another fabric that needs special care is cotton. If the garment is 100% cotton or mostly cotton you will need to be extremely careful because it is prone to extreme shrinking and distortion if not cared for properly. Cotton doesn't shrink uniformly either so a garment can end up uneven and un-wearable. It's not a big deal for t-shirts maybe but for sexy lingerie it is totally unappealing. Wash your cotton lingerie in cold water with a mild detergent and either hang it to dry or lay it flat. If it wrinkles you can use an iron to press it.

For your silk lingerie the best choice may be to take them to a dry cleaner to be sure they aren't damaged. If not the next choice would again be to wash them by hand with a mild detergent or Wool-lite in cold water so the colors do not bleed. After washing you should dry the silk with a towel and never leave the garment to air dry.

Although lingerie requires more care than many other garments you may own, it is well worth the effort so that they maintain their high quality for as long as possible and give you the enjoyment that you purchased them for to begin with. By taking the proper precautions you can be sure that your lingerie lasts for a long time.