Undergarments are essential in one’s wardrobe. An outfit may not be complete without them, and the quality of underwear one uses can significantly influence their appearance. Aside from these, they also provide comfort, protection, and warmth. For instance, a brassiere supports a woman’s upper body that allows ease of movement as needed. On the other hand, panties soak up sweat and moisture from intimate parts.
It’s essential to take proper care of your undergarments as they’re indispensable items used regularly. Additionally, they should be kept clean and tidy since they come in direct contact with delicate body areas. This way, you’ll be able to prolong their functionality and keep them in top shape as well.
If you’d like some suggestions on how to care for your underwear correctly, here are some tips you may find helpful:
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1. Read The Care Instructions Tag
Depending on the materials used, lingerie items come with different care instructions. These instructions include how to wash the items, how to dry them after laundry, and what should be avoided so that they wouldn’t be damaged or deformed. These instructions should be followed to ensure that the items retain their shape, color, and appearance.
However, some items may not have care instructions on the packaging or the tags. In case you encounter this problem, you can look for general wash instructions based on the type of undergarment you have and the material used in it. For instance, you can find out how to wash silk online for intimate apparel made with such material. On the other hand, you can also ask the laundromat personnel for assistance regarding wash settings and detergent options.
2. Wash Undergarments Separately
Lingerie is commonly made with light materials, garters, and padding. These items are prone to stretching and damage if washed with heavier fabrics. It’s because the fast-rotating motion of the washing machine twists and entangles different clothing items together, which can easily damage underwear. To avoid this, it’s best to wash undergarments separately. This way, they won’t be deformed, and the fabric will retain its quality for longer.
Another reason to have a separate wash for underwear is to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. Since undergarments absorb sweat and bodily fluids, they’re likely to harbor various microorganisms which could be infectious. Though most of them would be eliminated by washing, there’s still a chance that they’ll be passed on to other clothing. It may be unsanitary and cause diseases.
For the same reasons, it’s crucial to separate undergarments used by those with infectious diseases and those who work in highly-infected areas like hospitals. For washing their undergarments, you can consider adding a cup of white vinegar to the wash and soak them for half an hour before running the first cycle with hot water. It’s an effective way to sanitize them to prevent cross-contamination.
3. Avoid Using Strong Cleaning Agents
Though bleach may effectively eliminate bacteria, it may be too harsh to use for washing underwear. You can use it sparingly for tough stains, but regular use will ultimately damage the fabric. If you need to add an antibacterial agent to a laundry load, you can use natural cleaners such as white vinegar or baking soda instead.
Meanwhile, using fabric conditioners or softeners may not be necessary. Some fabrics may not interact well with the fragrances and softening agents. Also, some of the chemicals used in softeners may be too harsh to come in direct contact with genital skin. As such, it may be best to limit softeners and stick with gentle cleansers instead.
4. Take Extra Care Of Brassieres
Extra care is needed when washing bras. They’re more prone to deformation and damage because they’re primarily made with delicate materials such as lace, foam, garter, and light fabrics. Because of this, experts advise handwashing them, if possible, to ensure gentler handling of the materials. If machine wash is the only option, you can place your brassieres in a mesh bag to lessen friction with other clothes in the washer.
Also, you may need to give your bra a break in between washes to give them time to restore their original form. You can wear a bra more than once before each wash, but it’s best to have several pieces to use to ensure that they won’t wear out quickly.
5. Use Gentle Drying Options
Most undergarments are too fragile for heat drying. The heat could weaken synthetic materials like spandex, nylon, and polyester. Also, high temperature isn’t ideal for elastics in bras and other delicate items as it will deteriorate them over time. Given these, it’s best to air dry or tumble dry your undergarments for gentler clothes drying process.
When airing out underwear, you’ll need to find an area where the items won’t be exposed to direct sunlight, as this may cause the colors to fade and the fabric to lose elasticity.
6. Replace Your Underwear Periodically
Ideally, underwear needs to be replaced every year. This requires throwing out old or worn-out items to give way to newer ones. Here are some signs that an undergarment needs to be replaced:
- Discoloration
- Stains
- Unpleasant odor
- Having damage such as broken stitches or holes
- Being misshapen or deformed
- Stretched out garters and fabrics
- The garment causes skin irritation or discomfort
You may also need to toss out items that you rarely or never wear. This way, you’ll have plenty of space for replacements that will be more useful for you.
7. Use Undergarments Accordingly
Undergarments are prone to bacteria buildup if not changed daily. For the average person, changing underwear once a day reduces the risk of germ accumulation. However, someone with a more physically active lifestyle may need to replace their innerwear more than once per day, depending on how much sweat and moisture is absorbed.
Also, it may be helpful to wash intimates right away to prevent further exposure to dirt and other particles. This way, it will be easier for you to clean and disinfect them as needed.
8. Conclusion
Having clean, quality underwear is essential to maintain personal hygiene. It’s a necessary part of your wardrobe and a non-negotiable protective item that you need for comfort and support. Given its importance, you can consider dedicating time, effort, and resources to their proper care and maintenance as a wise investment.