Lingerie Laundry Guide

Can you machine wash your lingerie? The short answer is yes, but it might affect its longevity. We recommend hand washing both bralettes and knickers whenever possible. If there is a certain product you want advice on, please reach out to our support team for some customised assistance.

Remember that 20-30% of the carbon-footprint of clothing takes place after it’s been bought, so it’s important to know how to take care of your intimates while taking the environment into consideration. Here’s how to take proper care of your lingerie, while also taking care of the planet:

HAND WASH

Wanna do it right? Hand wash your lingerie.

We know it’s a drag, but the surest way to make your lingerie last is by hand washing. Just make sure not to catch the fabric on your jewellery! Hand washing may take a little more effort, but trust us, it’s worth it to keep your delicates looking their best.

Here’s what you’ll need:

A sink or basin
Mild detergent
Warm water (never hot, unless the care label says otherwise)
A towel

Here’s how to ace it:

Dab any stains with mild soap and water and gently rub.
Use cold or warm water to preserve fabric elasticity and colour vibrance.
Soak with a delicate detergent or lingerie wash for a few minutes, working suds gently into the fabric, and rinse thoroughly. Repeat if needed.
Very gently squeeze in your hands to remove excess water.
Press against a towel to remove some more of the water. Hang to dry.
Once your lingerie is dry, give it a quick once-over to make sure it’s back in shape.

MACHINE WASH

Ain’t got no time for that?

The next best option is to machine wash on cold / gentle cycle (quick 20 minute wash ideally), but beware that this might affect the longevity of your bralettes and knickers. Machine wash at your own discretion, as everyones machine is different and we cannot be responsible for items damaged due to incorrect care.

Here’s what you’ll need:

A washing machine
Mild detergent
Lingerie wash bag or delicates cycle

Here’s how to ace it:

Start by sorting your lingerie by colour. Always wash like colours together.
If your knickers have any period stains on them, pre-wash them (see our tips below) before placing them in the washing machine.
Place intimates in your laundry bag and zip, don’t forget to hook your bras together to avoid snagging it on other clothing.
Wash on cold to preserve fabric elasticity and colour vibrance. Gentle 20 minute cycle is best.
Hang to dry. It’s best not to iron lingerie made from stretchy fabrics because the heat from your iron might damage the elastic.

Pro Tips

Period stains

If your knickers have period stains on them, don’t throw them away. There is a quick and east way to save them. Simply pre-wash your knickers in the sink using regular household soap and cold water. It’s important to use cold water as hot water makes the blood stick to the fabric permanently.

Lingerie bags

Ideally use a washing bag for your intimates when laundering them. This protects the fabric and minimizes the risk of damage to delicate items. Guppy-friendly lingerie bags also trap microplastics in the bag, so it’s a good idea to invest in one of those bags.

Wash cold

If you want to keep your intimates looking hot, always wash them in cold water (no warmer than 30 degrees). Using cold water helps protect colour fading and uses less energy at the same time. Hot water also causes damage to the elastic. It’s a total no-no if you ask us.

Do not tumble dry

We recommend you to not tumble dry your items, and instead let them dry naturally. Heat from the dryer breaks down the elastic and spandex, making them fall apart sooner. Did we mention that it’s also bad for the environment? In short, it’s just not worth it.