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How to wash, dry and store your lingerie so it stays beautiful, supportive and comfortable for years — not months. The essential know-how that makes a real difference.
A few extra minutes after each wear is all it takes to protect the shape, elasticity and fabric quality of your Secretelles pieces — and get genuine value from your investment.
Choose a mild, alcohol-free formula designed specifically for fine fabrics
Heat permanently damages elastics and fine fibres — there's no coming back from it
Even a low-heat cycle will destroy delicate fabrics and elastic beyond repair
The only way to preserve the shape and elasticity of every piece long-term
Your lingerie isn't like the rest of your wardrobe. It's made from fine fabrics — delicate lace, natural silk, smooth satin, lightweight tulle — chosen specifically for how they feel against your skin. That same quality that makes them feel so good is what makes them need a little more attention when it comes to washing.
Worn directly against the skin every day, lingerie is exposed to body oils, perspiration and friction. Without the right care routine, these gradually break down the fibres and cause:
Treat your lingerie with the same care you'd give anything worth keeping. A few minutes of attention after each wear can add years to the life of your favourite pieces.
— The Secretelles TeamDifferent fabrics have different needs. Here's what you need to know about the main materials used in fine lingerie and how to care for each:
Delicate and precise, lace is vulnerable to snagging and tearing. Always hand wash — never wring or scrub.
Incomparably soft, silk is highly sensitive to heat and harsh chemicals. It needs the gentlest possible handling.
Smooth and lustrous, satin snags easily. Turn pieces inside out before washing to protect the surface sheen.
More resilient, but cotton can shrink in warm water. A delicate machine cycle works, though hand washing is always better.
Lightweight and airy, tulle distorts easily. Use a lingerie wash bag to protect it from any friction or snagging.
More forgiving and quick-drying, microfibre still benefits from a gentle wash rather than a full machine cycle.
Hand washing is the gold standard for fine lingerie — especially underwired bras, delicate sets and anything with embroidery or lace. Follow these six steps for the best results every time:
Use a clean sink or bowl filled with cold or lukewarm water — never hot. Add a small amount of gentle, alcohol-free detergent formulated for delicates. Mix until fully dissolved before adding your lingerie.
Gently submerge your lingerie in the soapy water. Leave to soak for 10–15 minutes (up to 30 minutes for heavily worn pieces). This gives the detergent time to lift dirt naturally without any aggressive scrubbing.
Move the pieces slowly through the water using a gentle squeezing motion. Never twist, wring or scrub — this stretches the elastics and damages fibres in ways that can't be undone.
Empty the soapy water and rinse with clean cold water until all traces of detergent are gone. Gently press the water out with your hands — never twist or wring.
Lay the piece flat on a clean dry towel. Roll the towel up gently with the lingerie inside and press lightly to absorb the moisture — far kinder to the fabric than any wringing or spinning.
Lay flat on a drying rack or hang a bra from the centre bridge (the part between the cups). Never hang by the straps — this stretches them permanently. Keep away from direct heat and sunlight.
For a small stain between washes, dampen a cotton pad with cold water and a tiny drop of gentle soap. Dab the stained area gently — never rub. Then blot with a clean damp cloth to remove the soap. Leave to air dry naturally.
Hand washing is always best, but some pieces can handle a machine cycle if you follow a few key rules. Always check the care label first.
Always hand wash the following:
How you dry your lingerie matters just as much as how you wash it. Heat is the number one enemy of fine fabrics and elastics — and the damage it causes is permanent.
Most lingerie takes 24–48 hours to dry completely when air dried. Plan your washing ahead so you always have fresh pieces available — it's also a good reason to rotate your bras properly.
Finding the right frequency is about balancing good hygiene with preserving your fabrics over time:
| Item | Recommended frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Knickers & Thongs | After every wear | Non-negotiable for hygiene |
| Bras | Every 3–4 wears | Rotate between multiple bras so elastics can recover |
| Sports bras | After every session | Sweat accelerates fabric breakdown significantly |
| Shapewear | Every 1–2 wears | Close skin contact means more frequent washing |
| Bodysuits & Camisoles | Every 2–3 wears | Depends on how much skin contact and activity level |
| Chemises & Pyjamas | Every 3–4 wears | More frequently in summer or warm nights |
| Tights & Stockings | After every wear | Fine fibres absorb body oils quickly |
| Dressing gowns | 1–2 times a week | Depends on frequency and duration of use |
Never wear the same bra two days in a row. Elastics need 24–48 hours to spring back to their original shape. With 3–4 bras in regular rotation, each one will last significantly longer — a genuinely good return on your investment.
Careful storage protects your pieces between wears, preserves their shape and meaningfully extends their lifespan:
A quick guide to the symbols you'll find on the labels of your lingerie:
Temperature shown inside the symbol
Do not put in the machine under any circumstances
Dry clean only
Crossed out = no bleach under any circumstances
Crossed out = no tumble drying (applies to almost all fine lingerie)
Dots indicate maximum temperature allowed
When in doubt, always default to the safest approach: hand wash in cold water with a gentle detergent, then dry flat. This works for virtually all fine lingerie fabrics and won't cause damage to anything delicate.
Your favourite pieces deserve the same care on the road as they get at home:
Wash your delicates in the bathroom sink with your travel detergent. Hang them in the bathroom overnight — the ambient steam from showers helps fabrics naturally relax and de-crease as they dry. By morning, your pieces will be fresh and ready to wear.
Our team is happy to give you personalised advice on looking after your Secretelles pieces.
Email us:[email protected]
Explore our collection of European fine lingerie — crafted in the best fabrics to accompany you every day with elegance, comfort and lasting quality.
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