Delicates aren’t fragile for no reason. Lingerie, silk, lace, cashmere, and anything with thin straps, sheer fabric, or embroidery needs different handling. Tossing them in with your jeans and towels? Fastest way to wreck them. If you want your clothes to last, it starts with sorting them out.
Know What Counts as Delicate
Don’t guess—read the tags. Delicates usually include:
- Lace or silk underwear
- Satin camisoles or dresses
- Bras and bralettes
- Wool or cashmere sweaters
- Tights and hosiery
- Anything with sequins or beading
- Sheer or mesh fabrics
- Light synthetics like rayon or viscose
If it looks like it can snag, shrink, stretch, or fade—treat it as delicate.
Use Mesh Bags Every Time
A mesh laundry bag isn’t optional—it’s your first line of defense. It keeps straps from tangling, hooks from snagging, and lightweight fabrics from being destroyed in the spin cycle. Get different sizes, and always zip or snap them closed. Even better—wash delicates separately in their own load.
Cold Water Only
Hot water = damage. Always use cold water to wash delicates. It preserves color, prevents shrinking, and keeps elastic fibers from snapping. Warm and hot cycles might clean faster, but they’ll ruin delicate fabrics in one go.
Mild Detergent is Mandatory
Skip the harsh stuff. Use a detergent labeled for delicates or sensitive fabrics. No bleach. No brighteners. Look for formulas marked as pH-neutral. Standard detergents are too strong and strip delicate fibers, especially on lace, silk, and wool.
Hand Washing: The Old School Move That Works
It’s not overkill—it’s just smart. Fill a basin with cold water, add a small amount of delicate detergent, and gently agitate the garment. Let it soak for 10–15 minutes. Swirl it gently. Rinse with cold water. Done. This is the safest way to wash bras, lace, or anything you care about.
Press, Don’t Wring
After rinsing, don’t twist or wring out delicate fabrics. It stretches and damages the fibers. Instead, press the water out by gently rolling the garment in a towel. Lay it flat to dry. Hanging wet delicates causes them to lose their shape.
Dry Flat—Always
Avoid dryers like they’re poison. Even on the lowest heat, they shrink and destroy delicate fabrics. Lay items flat on a towel in their original shape. Use a mesh drying rack if you have one. Airflow is key—don’t bunch items together.
Bras Need Extra Attention
Bras don’t belong in regular cycles, even in mesh bags. The underwire warps, the padding gets ruined, and the elastic breaks down fast. Hand wash them. If you must use a machine, use cold water, delicate cycle, mesh bag, and skip the spin.
Cashmere and Wool Aren’t Like Cotton
Wool and cashmere shrink and pill like crazy if treated wrong. Use a dedicated wool detergent, never hot water, and always lay flat to dry. Avoid friction and over-washing. Once every 4–6 wears is usually enough—more than that, and you’re just breaking it down faster.
Skip Fabric Softeners
Fabric softeners ruin stretchy materials, reduce absorbency, and leave buildup that attracts dirt. For delicates, softeners do more harm than good. If you need a softening effect, a splash of white vinegar in the rinse cycle works better and doesn’t leave residue.
Read the Labels—And Trust Them
“Dry Clean Only” doesn’t always mean you must dry clean. But if a label says it, understand you’re taking a risk if you ignore it. For structured garments, silk suits, or anything expensive—don’t guess. Know when to follow the tag and when you can get away with gentle hand washing.
Odor Issues? Use Vinegar or Baking Soda
If your delicates have absorbed body odor or perfume, soak them in a mix of cold water and white vinegar before washing. For sweat-heavy items like synthetic bralettes or sports underwear, a tablespoon of baking soda in the wash helps remove odors naturally.
Store Delicates Properly
Once clean, don’t jam delicate items into overstuffed drawers. Use drawer dividers or lay items flat. Fold knitwear and cashmere—never hang. Hanging stretches them out and ruins the neckline. Keep lingerie separate to prevent snags.
Rotate Your Delicates
Wearing the same bra or delicate item multiple days in a row wears it down faster. Rotate to give the elastic time to recover. It’s the difference between a bra that lasts two years vs six months.
When in Doubt, Don’t Wash It Yourself
If you’re dealing with expensive lingerie, a designer silk piece, or anything sentimental—don’t risk it. Use professional laundry in London services that handle delicates the right way. They use proper detergents, cycles, and drying methods you probably don’t have at home.
Summary: Handle With Care or Replace It Constantly
Washing delicates wrong is the fastest way to throw money in the bin. Treat them right and they’ll last for years. Use mesh bags, cold water, mild detergent, and never the dryer. Know when to hand wash and when to outsource. One bad wash can destroy what you spent good money on—so stop guessing and start caring properly.