Long Live Lingerie!
Care and Upkeep
Like a good relationship, lingerie requires a little extra effort-along with proper care and attention to details-to make it last.
The bra is one item you should purchase in quantity. The more bras you have in rotation, the longer each one will last. Material stretches over time from wear and tear, body heat, perspiration, and any lotions and perfumes you put on your skin. If you wear the same bra day in, day out, it will loose its elasticity.
Now, the million dollar question: How often should you wash your bra? Some women claim to wash their bras after each wearing. I find that hard to believe! As a general rule of thumb, I recommend washing a bra every other time you wear it; however, don't start looking for an absolute, hard-and-fast rule.
It's a Wash
Hand wash only!
You may not believe this, but some women consider doing laundry by hand therapeutic. They find it relaxing...a way to wash their cares away. If you know you will absolutely not hand wash your delicate items then toss them into your lingerie bag and set your washing machine on the most gentle cycle. We highly recommend using a specially designed lingerie wash, such as:
Le Blanc Silk & Lingerie Wash.
A fine specialty cleanser removes tough stains from fine delicates.
If you're traveling and in a pinch, shampoo-or, even better, baby shampoo-will do the trick. Also, bleach is a major no-no for your intimate apparel-it is much too harsh and will basically eat the spandex alive. Instead, treat soiled areas directly with soap, extra rubbing, and longer soak time.
The Rules of Washing
- Wash intimate apparel in tepid to lukewarm water. Use slightly cooler water for bras, shapewear, and other highly elasticized items; the fabric actually gets "shocked" back into shape in cold water. Avoid hot water, which will break down the elastic and shrink natural fibers.
- Soak the garments in soapy water for a few minutes. Give attention to soiled areas by gently rubbing the fabric between your fingers to remove any stain.
- Rinse well, then gently squeeze out the water-never wring. Smooth the garment out with your hands and hang to dry away from sunlight or heat. For items that hold excess moisture ( like cottons or sweat-type knits), lay the item on a towel, roll it up like sushi, and squeeze. Then reshape the garment and either hang or lay it flat.
Got Silk?
Silk lingerie, such as slips or camisoles often pose a laundry quandary. First and foremost, follow the manufacturer's instructions for care. Very often the label calls for dry cleaning, which might make you think silk and water are enemies. not so. Silk is actually refreshed by water. So, if your lingerie is pure silk..hand wash.
Cracking the Code
Laundry care labels
In Her Drawers
A neat lingerie drawer is as much about sanity as vanity.
Now that your lingerie's clean, it's time to store and organize it. If you're like most women, I'll bet your lingerie drawer resembles a tangled wad of straps stuck together like cold spaghetti left in the pot. It's enough to make you crazy...or think you are! Besides the pretty picture a drawer full of carefully arranged lingerie presents, you'll feel much more together if you know where to quickly find what you're looking for.
Know how to Fold'Em
Bras- Close the hooks. Loose hooks get caught in fabric and lace and damage other bras. If space allows, spoon one bra into the other, cup into cup, creating a row that follows their natural curves. Spooning is particularly effective for contour bras because, if folded, one cup inevitably gets a permanent wrinkle from collapsing inwards. Otherwise, after closing hooks, fold each bra in half, cup in cup, and line them up in columns like little soldiers.
Make It Smell Sweet
Don't forget about sachets
We love subtly scenting our little nothings. Our personal preference is a warm, inviting vanilla scent. We sell these hand made heart sachets in our boutique to create the legendary aroma that has made more than one man take a whiff and blissfully say, "I could die in here."
Excerpts taken from the "Lingerie Handbook", written by Rebecca Apsan with Sarah Stark, from the "Long Live Lingerie ", chapter.
