Care and Keeping of Lingerie

Women all have delicate and dainty undergarments for special occasions and for daily wear. Like expensive silverware most lingerie is not used on a daily basis and to ensure they last gentle and consistent care is most important. Even items such as bras and pantyhose should be taken care of in the following manner.

Inventory

Several times a year, go through your lingerie and get rid of things that do not fit, items that are worn, hose that have runs or items that you just do not like.

Repair

While repairing items takes time and effort and it's easier to throw things away, but remember the rule to waste not, want not. Take twenty minutes to sew bits of lace back into place, or a strap back on, or other small repairs that need to be done.

Washing

Hand wash all delicate garments, including pantyhose. Use cold water and a gentle detergent such as Woolite, which will preserve the material and shape of your undergarments.

You can purchase little hangers to hang hose in the shower to dry. Invest in sweater drying racks to allow lingerie to dry lying flat. Putting lingerie in the washing machine and dryer shortens the life span of the garment. Even on the lowest heat setting a dryer will break down the elasticity of delicate garments.

To wash- don't wring out lingerie. Instead, soak items in a sink with cold water and detergent, gently squeeze suds through items, and rinse with more cold water. To remove excess water blot items with a towel and lie flat to dry. A good place to allow these items to dry is inside a clean bathtub.

If you are resistant to hand washing, use a lingerie bag if you must machine wash. Be sure to set the water temperature to cold, use a gentle detergent, and clasp all hooks so pieces don't get tangled.

For especially delicate and fragile lingerie articles, check into lingerie dry cleaning advice.

Accessible Storage

Because of the delicate nature of lingerie, keeping them stored in a placed that has a smooth finish is imperative to avoid runs, snags and damage. It is also a nice touch to add a sachet or scented paper to line the drawer or box they are stored in. If kept in a chest or dresser drawer, line with feminine paper to keep the garments and hose from snagging. I personally enjoy keeping mine in hat boxes in my room. Hat boxes have a smooth inside finish, stack nicely and you can use as many as you need. They are also decorative- a perfect storage for beautiful delicates.

Lingerie can be expensive, but it is also special and delicate undergarments regardless of price. Caring for them can save you money and keep your favorite things in beautiful condition for years to come.