More than just a layer, lingerie is the foundation of your outfit and your everyday comfort, which is why Felina believes that your lingerie pieces should be handled with love and care. Whether it’s your everyday essentials or a romantic lace set that you wear on special occasions, properly caring for your delicate undergarments is the key to preserving their softness, structure, and sensuality.
Many of us are guilty of tossing our bras and panties into the regular wash, only to wonder why they wear out so quickly. That’s where this guide comes in.
Knowing how to wash lingerie, from lace bralettes to mesh bodysuits, is essential for extending the life of your favorite pieces. With the right tools (yes, it’s time to buy that mesh bag), gentle techniques, and a little extra attention, your lingerie drawer can stay beautiful, organized, and long-lasting.
Below, Felina’s lingerie experts walk you through everything from hand washing vs. washing machine techniques, choosing the right detergent, and following proper care instructions, so your pieces stay as luxurious as the day you first bought them.
Understanding Lingerie Materials and Fabrics
Before we talk about care, it’s important to understand what you’re washing. Lingerie is made from a mix of delicate fabrics, each with its own sensitivities and strengths. The way you treat lace, satin, silk, or mesh can determine how long your lingerie lasts and how good it continues to feel against your skin.
Your lingerie may seem delicate, but it’s actually working hard to keep you feeling fresh every day. Worn close to the body, these pieces are exposed to sweat, natural oils, and bacteria, all of which can build up in the fibers over time. Without proper care, this bacterial buildup doesn’t just affect hygiene; it starts to break down the very fabrics your lingerie is made from.
Materials like lace, mesh, silk, and satin are especially vulnerable. Because they’re woven more loosely and designed to be lightweight and breathable, they’re more prone to absorbing bacteria. Left unwashed or washed improperly, these bacteria can accelerate wear, cause discoloration, and even weaken elasticity.
That’s why it’s so important to wash your lingerie regularly and gently. Not only are you removing dirt and oils, but you’re also helping preserve the structure of the fabric itself. This is especially true for delicate undergarments like bras, thongs, and lace teddies, which come into direct contact with the most sensitive areas of the body.
Remember: lingerie doesn’t just face wear and tear from the outside—it breaks down from within too. Treating it with care, whether through hand washing or using a mesh bag and gentle detergent, helps it stay beautiful, supportive, and long-lasting.
The Most Common Delicate Fabrics In Lingerie
- Lace: Timeless, feminine, and delicate, lace is prone to snags and should be treated gently, ideally by hand washing.
- Silk and Satin: These luxurious materials are beautiful, but highly sensitive to heat and agitation. Cold water and air drying are essential.
- Mesh: Modern and breathable, mesh adds sheer detailing but can be fragile and should always be protected in a mesh bag during machine wash cycles.
- Modal or Cotton Blends: Comfortable and versatile, these are more resilient but still benefit from cool water and gentle cycles.
The more delicate the fabric, the more critical it is to wash it with care. Harsh detergents, hot water, and friction can damage fibers, causing stretching, fading, or loss of shape.
Reading The Care Label
The best resource for figuring out how to wash lingerie? The care label. This small tag carries essential instructions that help preserve the integrity of your lingerie.
Here’s why it matters:
- Fabric-Specific Guidelines: The label outlines which washing method, hand washing or machine washing, is best.
- Temperature Warnings: Some materials can’t tolerate heat; others may require cold water only.
- Drying Instructions: Many delicate undergarments are air-dry only and should never be tumbled.
If the label is faded or missing, play it safe; treat the piece like a luxury item and hand wash using a gentle detergent. When in doubt, less is more.
How Do I Wash My Lingerie?
Whether you’re tossing your favorite bralette in the wash or giving your lace teddy a spa day, there are two main ways to clean lingerie: by hand or in the machine. Let’s break down both methods.
1. Hand Washing Your Lingerie
For longevity and luxe results, hand washing lingerie is the gold standard—especially for intricate pieces with lace, embroidery, or underwire.
Here are 6 easy steps to hand wash your lingerie:
- Fill a clean sink or basin with cool water.
- Add a capful of gentle detergent, preferably one formulated for delicate fabrics.
- Submerge your lingerie and soak for 5–10 minutes.
- Gently agitate the water with your hands, lightly rubbing areas like straps or the underband.
- Drain, rinse thoroughly in cool water, and gently press out moisture (never wring).
- Lay flat on a towel or hang to air dry—avoid direct sun and heat.
Delicate pieces like silk slips, lace bras, and anything with embellishments should always be hand-washed.
2. Machine-Washing Lingerie
We get it; sometimes, hand washing just isn’t realistic, especially if you’re running on a busy schedule. If you’re opting for the machine, there are techniques you can use to preserve the quality of your lingerie.
How to machine wash lingerie safely:
- Always place items in a mesh bag to prevent snagging.
- Use a gentle cycle and cool water.
- Choose a detergent designed for delicate fabrics—never bleach or use fabric softener.
- Wash similar colors together to prevent discoloration.
- Skip the dryer. Always air dry to preserve shape and stretch.
While machine washing can be safe for certain everyday pieces, it’s not recommended for structured bras or anything with underwire, boning, or ornate details since it can warp the shape.
Choosing The Right Detergent
Not all detergents are created equal, especially when it comes to washing lingerie. While many mainstream brands promise to brighten, soften, and deep-clean your clothes, those same formulas can be far too harsh for delicate fabrics like lace, mesh, satin, or silk. The reality is: detergents that boast extra strength often contain enzymes, surfactants, or brightening agents that can gradually weaken fibers, strip away finishes, and reduce elasticity.
This is especially damaging for delicate undergarments, which require both cleanliness and preservation. If you’re washing a lace teddy, bralette, or mesh-paneled lingerie, using the wrong detergent can cause fraying, pilling, or premature wear—even if you’re using cool water and a mesh bag (we know, it’s unfair).
The best lingerie detergents are formulated to clean gently without breaking down the fabric. Look for labels that indicate the detergent is pH-balanced, free from bleach and fabric softeners, and specifically designed for hand washing or delicates. Liquid formulas tend to be more forgiving than powders, and unscented or lightly scented options are ideal if you have sensitive skin.
A gentle detergent should support both the integrity of your lingerie and the investment you’ve made in it.
A breakdown of what to look for when shopping for the best detergents for lingerie:
- Free of sulfates, bleach, and fabric softeners
- pH-balanced and safe for delicate fabrics
- Designed for either hand wash or machine wash use
Look for labels that say “for delicates” or “lingerie-safe.” A good detergent not only cleans but also helps extend the life of your lingerie wardrobe.
How Often Should You Wash Your Bras?
Bras are among the most essential, and most misunderstood, items in your lingerie drawer. Worn closest to the skin and often layered under tight-fitting clothing, bras collect everything from body oils and sweat to skincare residue and daily debris. Yet, many of us hesitate to wash them frequently out of fear of damaging the fabric.
Most bras are made from a careful combination of delicate fabrics: elastic bands, stretch mesh, microfiber, lace, and sometimes underwire components that rely on structural integrity. When these materials absorb sweat, natural oils, or even leftover lotion, the fibers can start to deteriorate. The buildup can cause not just odor and discoloration, but loss of stretch, fabric warping, and even skin irritation over time.
What many people don’t realize is that these fabrics are constantly under tension. Every time you wear a bra, the elastic is engaged, the seams are flexing, and the cups are molding to your body. Without regular cleaning to remove buildup, these elements break down faster.
That’s why the general rule of thumb is to wash your bras every 2–3 wears, especially in warmer months or after workouts. If you’re rotating between several bras, they’ll each last longer, but they still need consistent care. And remember, the way you wash them is just as important as how often. Choosing the right method, whether hand washing or using a mesh bag in a gentle machine wash, can dramatically extend your bra’s lifespan while keeping it supportive, soft, and hygienic.
How Do You Store Your Lingerie?
Washing is only half the story. How you store lingerie can impact its shape, elasticity, and overall longevity.
Here are some best practices for storing delicates:
- Lay bras flat in a drawer—don’t fold the cups into each other.
- Use drawer dividers or dedicated sections to keep panties and bralettes organized.
- Keep items in a cool, dry place—away from direct sunlight or heating vents.
- Consider using a lingerie bag for travel or overflow storage.
- For shapewear or padded items, avoid stacking heavy items on top to maintain form.
A thoughtfully organized lingerie drawer keeps your delicates in better shape and makes getting dressed that much easier.
4 Simple Tips For Washing Underwear And Bras:
If you’ve made it this far, you now know the ins and outs of how to wash lingerie, but if you’re just looking for the TL;DR version, here it is. These simple tips cover the basics of keeping your underwear and bras clean, cared for, and built to last. Whether you’re short on time or just want the essentials, consider this your go-to checklist. Think of it as the lingerie care equivalent of a skincare routine: a few key steps done consistently make all the difference. Here’s exactly how to treat your delicates right, every single time.
- For delicate undergarments, opt for hand washing whenever possible.
- If using the machine, always follow the rules: mesh bag, gentle cycle, cool water.
- Reshape padded bras while damp and lay flat to dry to avoid warping.
- Wash underwear separately from items with hardware or zippers that could cause snags.
Your Delicates Will Thank You Later
Learning how to wash lingerie may take a little extra time, but your delicates will thank you. Proper care keeps your most intimate pieces looking beautiful and feeling luxurious, wear after wear.
From following the care label, choosing the right detergent, and deciding between hand washing or a gentle machine wash, every step makes a difference. And with a few easy upgrades, like a mesh bag, air drying, and proper storage, you’ll extend the life of every lace bralette, mesh teddy, favorite thong, and delicate fabric in your lingerie drawer.
Ready To Refresh Your Lingerie Drawer?
Treat your lingerie to the care it deserves, and maybe treat yourself to a few new favorites while you’re at it. Discover Felina lingerie for beautifully made, easy-to-care-for styles you’ll love wearing again and again.