Wash, Wear, Care
We know how much you love your perfectly fitting lingerie and gorgeous swimwear, but machine washing and tumble drying can really do them a disservice. Handwashing and air drying is the only way to go if you want to keep your favourites looking and feeling their best. Here’s how to do it.
1. Wash
Gently spot clean any marks using a delicates detergent, paying special attention to the band and armpits.
Soak in cool water and delicates detergent for a few minutes, gently squeezing the soapy water through a few times to make sure your bra is clean.
2. Rinse
Rinse thoroughly in cool, clean water. Repeat as necessary.
Gently squeeze out as much water as possible – but never wring! This can cause damage to the fabric and bend your underwires.
3. Dry
Hang to dry or lay on a clean towel, avoiding any direct source of heat like the midday sun or a radiator.
Store flat, with hooks fastened to prevent snagging, and the cups nestled inside each other to help keep their shape.
Our top tips
Follow these simple dos and don’ts when handwashing and drying to make sure your favourite pieces stay comfy and looking fabulous for longer. For more handy advice, head to our FAQs.
The must-dos
• Always check the care label before washing, and choose the appropriate detergent
• Rinse thoroughly with cool, clean water to remove all detergent
• Spot clean any stains gently with a delicate detergent
• Store items flat, fastening hooks to prevent snagging and nesting cups inside one another
Give these a miss
• Avoid wringing your underwear, as it can damage the fabric and bend the underwires
• Keep underwear away from direct heat sources like the midday sun or radiators
• Skip machine washing and tumble drying - they can damage fabric and even cause underwire tips to poke through. Ouch!
Frequently asked questions
When it comes to washing bras, by hand is almost always the answer. We get that this can seem like a chore, but we promise it’s worth it to keep the fit and shape you love.
There’s no set rule for this. Generally, we’d recommend every one to two weeks to keep them clean and in great condition, but this will vary depending on how hot it is, how much you sweat, or how many bras you own. (Top tip: it can take a day or two for a bra that’s been handwashed to dry!).
We see you, throwing your bras in the machine with your jeans and an old tea towel! We’ve all done it. But the truth is, machine washing and tumble drying can break down elastic, cause snagging or loose stitching, and even damage the plastic tips on your underwires – causing them to poke through the fabric. Ouch!
Some non-wired lingerie can be washed in the machine on a cool wash – but it’s always best to check the label first. Just remember to fasten the hooks so they don’t get caught on anything, always use a laundry bag, and keep it cool, using a delicates cycle for best results. Hang to dry or lay flat on a clean towel.
Rinse your swimsuit or bikini as soon as possible in cool tap water after each time you wear it, as salt and chlorinated water can damage the fabric and colour of your favourite pieces. Wash with gentle detergent every few wears – yep, you guessed it, by hand! Fill the sink with cool water and add some laundry detergent, turn your swimsuit inside out and swish it in the water for several minutes and then rinse.
If you have time, allow for it to soak in cool water for 30 minutes (as this will be even better for the fabric). Gently squeeze out the excess water (no wringing!) and hang to dry away from direct heat or sunlight.
Hint: not screwed up in your pants drawer! Lay them flat, with hooks fastened to prevent snagging, and the cups nestled inside each other, facing the same way to help keep their shape. If possible, keep them in a separate drawer to your pants and avoid folding. If you’re short on space, hang them on a clothes hanger in your wardrobe and admire them every time you open it up!
As too much direct sunlight can lighten the colour of your swimwear, we’d recommend drying your bikinis and swimsuits out of direct sunlight to keep them bright and colourful.
Elastane (the stuff that makes swimwear stretchy!) really doesn’t like heat or chemicals. So, we recommend not tumble-drying your swimwear or putting it on a radiator – simply hang it up to air dry instead!
Chlorine can be damaging to the fabric and colour of your swimwear so, after having a splash in the pool, don’t forget to rinse your swimwear in cold water straight away to get rid of the chlorine and hang it up to air dry.
Stay safe in the sun by making sure you apply sunscreen before stepping into your swimwear, giving the sunscreen time to soak into your skin before dressing. Top tip: Make sure your sun cream is totally dry before putting your swimwear on to protect the fabric from staining.