How to Wash Lingerie

Lingerie is wonderful clothing that makes you look good and feel good. Lingerie is also very delicate and should be handled with great care. Taking extra measures when washing your lingerie can protect the life and look of the garment. There are two methods that can be used when washing lingerie and both are quick and easy.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Woolite
• Drying rack (optional)
• Mesh laundry bag

Machine Wash

1. When washing lingerie in a washing machine, a washable laundry bag is necessary. These can be found at any major department store. The laundry bag is a small mesh bag that holds the lingerie during washing. Woolite is the best cleaning product to use. Start your washer on a warm gentle cycle. Add the Woolite to the wash and let it blend with the water. While the water in the washing machine is being turned, place your lingerie garments inside the laundry bag. Place the laundry bag inside the washing machine.

2. After the washing cycle is finished, remove the laundry bag from the wash. Carefully unzip the bag and remove the garments from the bag. Take each piece individually and lay the items flat between folds of a towel, then press out the excess water. You can either lay the items flat to dry, or if you have a drying rack you can lay each piece over the drying rack.

3. Take your laundry bag and place it in the dryer for about 10 minutes. Remove the bag from the dryer and store for future use.

Handwash

4. To handwash your lingerie, fill a tub or sink with warm water and Woolite (measure according to directions on the bottle). Place lingerie items in the water and let them soak for 10 to 15 minutes. The soaking will help soften the dirt and make it easier to remove. Be sure that hooks from bras and other garments do not catch on the lace of other garments.

5. After soaking, take each item one at a time and gently rub the fabric together to remove the dirt. Be sure to do this one item at a time so the other fabrics do not rub together.

6. Remove the dirty water from the tub or sink and wash each item in cool water. Rinse until the water runs clear. Lay garments flat on a layer of towels, then lay another layer of towels on top and press out any excess water. After all water has been removed, lay flat or hang over a drying rack to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Handwashing one garment at a time is easier to do. It can get difficult when there is more than one garment.
• Read your care labels thoroughly. Some items have specific directions that must be followed to ensure the safety of the fabric.

[vikki9]

on 6/8/2008 The mesh laundry bags are great! Using several of a smaller size with only one or two items in each allows a better flow of soapy water - and better balance in a top-loading washer. When washing bras it's helpful to hook the bras before placing in the bags - the 'unhooked' hooks will attach to the mesh during the cycles and are soooo time consuming to untangle. I've found that letting the mesh bags air dry takes only a very little while - more energy efficient than using the clothes dryer. Thank you for this article!