The Art of Caring for Your Lingerie
Because beautiful things deserve to be treated well...
There is a special kind of confidence that comes from wearing lingerie that fits perfectly, feels incredible against your skin, and holds its shape wash after wash. That confidence is not accidental. It’s the result of intention: choosing pieces made with care, and then caring for them in return.
At Pêches, we believe that your lingerie and undergarments aren’t just items of clothing; they’re investments in how you feel from the moment you get dressed.. And like any investment worth making, treating them well goes a long way in getting the most out of your intimates.
Know Your Fabrics
Before you can care for your lingerie properly, it helps to understand what you are working with. Different fabrics have very different needs, and keeping those needs in mind can extend the life of your pieces.
Lace requires a gentle touch. The intricate construction can snag or unravel if handled roughly. Always wash by hand and lay flat to dry.
Silk is luxurious and temperature-regulating, but sensitive to heat and harsh detergents. Hand-wash or dry clean only, and never wring it out.
Satin is a weave rather than a fiber. Polyester satin is more forgiving and can handle a gentle machine cycle; silk satin needs hand-washing. Either way, avoid washing with anything abrasive that could catch the smooth surface.
Mesh snags easily despite being made from durable nylon or polyester. Washing by hand is recommended, or at least use a laundry bag if machine-washing. Always lay flat to dry so the weave does not distort.
Modal and microfiber are soft, stretchy fabrics with good shape-recovery. They are more forgiving than natural fibers, but still benefit from cool water and gentle washing to preserve their elasticity.
Cotton is the most low-maintenance fabric in your drawer. A gentle, cold machine cycle works well for most cotton styles. Avoid high heat, which causes shrinkage and weakens elastic over time.
Bamboo (often labelled bamboo viscose or bamboo modal) is exceptionally soft and ideal for sensitive skin. Treat it like modal: cool water, gentle detergent, air dry only.
Velvet requires special care. Wash by hand with minimal agitation, press out water without twisting, and lay flat or hang to dry. Store it so nothing rests on top and crushes the pile.
Nylon and elastane blends make up the majority of everyday lingerie. Elastane is what gives pieces their stretch and snap, and heat is its greatest enemy. Always wash cool and air dry.
For a deeper look at what makes each fabric special and which styles they suit best, check back soon for our companion post: A Guide to Lingerie Fabrics and Styles.
The Case for Hand-Washing
Life is busy, we know. The machine is right there…but hand-washing your lingerie is genuinely one of the most effective ways to extend its life, and it really doesn't take much more time or effort.
Here’s how to do it well:
- Use cool or lukewarm water in a clean sink or wash basin. Hot water breaks down elastic and other fibers and can cause colors to bleed.
- Choose a delicate, pH-neutral detergent. Harsh detergents strip the fibers and can damage embellishments or cause pilling. Look for formulas designed specifically for lingerie or delicates. We love The Laundress Delicate Wash and Soak Laundry Soap for both hand and machine-washing.
- Wash gently. Submerge the piece and move it softly through the water until saturated. Do not scrub, twist, or stretch. Let soak for about 15 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly. Residual detergent can irritate the skin and cause fabrics to stiffen over time.
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Never wring out. To remove excess water, lay the piece flat on a clean towel and roll the towel up gently, pressing as you go.
If You Do Machine-Wash...
Sometimes the machine is unavoidable, and for certain fabrics (modal, cotton, or more structured pieces), it can work perfectly well. A few rules to follow:
- Always use a mesh laundry bag. This protects your pieces from snagging on other items and reduces friction against the drum.
- Select a delicate or hand-wash cycle with a low spin speed.
- Wash on cold.
- Never wash lingerie alongside heavy items like denim, towels, or anything with zips or hooks that could catch on delicate fabric.
Drying: The Best Way to Ruin Your Lingerie
The dryer is the single greatest threat to the life of your lingerie. Heat degrades elastic, warps underwire, and causes shrinkage in natural fibers. Even a low heat setting, used repeatedly, adds up and reduces the life of your delicates.
Instead, reshape your pieces gently and dry them flat on a clean towel or a drying rack away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can fade colors and weaken fibers over time, especially in silk and dyed laces.
For bras, cup the cups in your hands to reshape them after washing, and lay them flat or hang them from the center gore, never from the straps (they can stretch out).
Storing Your Lingerie with Intention
How you store your lingerie matters as much as how you wash it. The right storage protects the structure, fabric, and shape of each piece so it is ready to wear exactly as it should be.
Bras should be stacked cup inside cup in a drawer, or laid flat in a single layer. Never fold one cup inside the other, this distorts the padding, foam, and underwire channels over time and creates creases that do not go away. Avoid overcrowding them in a drawer, as pressure can cause misshaping.
Knickers and everyday panties do best folded neatly in a dedicated section of your drawer, away from rougher items that could snag delicate fabrics or lace trim.
Slips, babydolls, and chemises can be hung or folded, depending on the fabric. Silk and satin slips are best hung to prevent creasing. Lace, modal, and cotton styles fold well without damage. If hanging, use a padded or velvet hanger so the straps do not stretch or leave marks.
Bodysuits and teddies fold flat easily and store well in a drawer. If yours have underwires, treat them like bras and avoid stacking heavy items on top. The gusset hooks or snaps can also snag other pieces, so fold them in on themselves before storing.
Corsets and bustiers should always be stored flat or hung, never folded. The boning is the defining structure of the piece and can warp permanently if stored bent or compressed. If your corset has lacing, loosen it before storing. Hanging on a wide, padded hanger is ideal for maintaining the shape of the cups and torso.
Robes and lounge pieces can be hung in your wardrobe or folded on a shelf. Silk and velvet robes benefit from a padded hanger and a little space so the fabric is not crushed. Lighter cotton and bamboo sets fold and stack beautifully.
For your most precious pieces (like a silk slip, an embellished corset, or special occasion set), consider wrapping them in acid-free tissue paper and storing in a breathable cotton bag or a dedicated lingerie box. It protects against dust, light, snags, and any other contact that accumulates into damage over time.
When you treat your intimates with love, they feel even more special when you wear them (no special occasion needed)!
A Note on Rotation
Even the most well made bra needs a rest. Wearing the same piece two days in a row does not give the elastic time to recover its shape. Rotating between three or more bras extends the life of each one significantly, and keeps everything fitting better for longer.
The Reward
When you take intentional care of your lingerie, it takes care of you right back. Instead of viewing this process as a chore, treat your laundering as a small self-care ritual. Knowing that your favorite intimates will be fresh and waiting for you in your top drawer for a long time is well worth the effort.
That's what Pêches is all about. Not just the pieces themselves, but the relationship you build with them and the confidence and comfort they bring you.
Click here to learn more about lingerie with our Fabric & Style Guide!
Have questions about caring for a specific fabric or finding pieces that last? We would love to help. Schedule your private shopping appointment in St. Louis or get in touch here.