Knowing how to effectively hand-wash delicate lace bras and lace underwear is particularly useful, especially for those who want them to be long-lasting. Beside curbing the environmental impact of your laundry routine by cutting back on energy-intensive machines, washing undergarments by hand can keep them clean, preserve the color, fit and smooth feel of the fabric.
In this article, we will go through how to hand wash your undergarments and keep them clean and fresh.
Types of Fabric that need to be hand-washed
Sheer fabrics undies or panties that are trimmed with embellishments.
Types of Fabric that can go into wash machine
Nylon, silk, lace and cotton. Machine wash in a mesh protective laundry bag to avoid tangling and stretching.
Check before washing
Always check the lace undergarment for stains, blood, cosmetics, self-tanners or skin-care products.
Pretreat the stains by applying gentle detergent, scrub it with soft brush or rub the fabric together gently. Leave it for 5-10 minutes to let the detergent work on the stain.
Sort your panties by color if you don’t want the dark runs into the yellow.
If you wash underwear on a daily basis, you can take it into the shower with you.
Water temperature
Never wash your lace underwear with hot water. High temperature will heat up the fabric dramatically, which can loosen the waistband and cause color fading.
Cold water is always the best option. You can use lukewarm water if it is too cold to you.
Detergent for lace underwear washing
Use a gentle, mild detergent, don’t over-use or you will leave residue on the garment.
Washing
Gently swirl the lace undie around if you wash it in a sink. Leave it to soak for a few minutes and rinse it through running water until it is clean. Don’t twist or scrunch too hard to keep the elastic recovery.
Drying
Lay the panty on a rack and let it dry naturally to prevent shrinkage or damage to the fabrics.
If you have to use a dryer, make sure it is on the lowest heat setting. Always keep an eye on the process to avoid overdry lace underwear.
The Pros and Cons: Hand wash & Machine wash
Hand wash
Pros:
Preserving the fabric, elastic bands and color
Less energy and water consumption
Financially efficient
Cons:
Time consuming
Hand wash practise needed
Machine wash
Pros:
Fast and easy
Can be bulk-washed
Cons:
Getting roughed up by other clothes
Friction shortens fabric sustainability
Uses up a lot of water