Caring For Your Lingerie

This is the one rule worth keeping. A machine cycle twists the underwire out of shape, breaks down the elastic in the band and crushes moulded cups. It also voids the manufacturer’s warranty, which means a fault that would have been replaced no longer will be.

Silk sleepwear is the same story. Hand wash it and it stays lustrous; machine wash it and the fibres dull and pill.

• Cool water, never hot - heat is what kills elastic
• A gentle detergent made for delicates. No bleach, no fabric softener
• Let it soak briefly, squeeze the water through the fabric, then rinse until the water runs clear
• Press the water out between your palms or in a towel. Never wring or twist
• Reshape the cups with your fingers while the fabric is still damp

The easiest version of all: take your lingerie into the shower with you, wash it with your usual body wash and rinse it well. It takes a minute and it is far kinder than any machine.

• Drip dry in the shade. Direct sun fades colour and hot dryers destroy elastic
• Hang from the centre gore, not from a strap or a hook, so nothing stretches
• Store moulded cups nested inside one another, never folded in half
• Fasten the hooks before putting a bra away so they do not catch on lace

• Rotate at least three bras rather than wearing a favourite daily - elastic needs a day to recover
• Wear a new bra on its loosest hook and work inwards as the band relaxes
• Rinse swimwear in fresh water straight after chlorine or salt water
• Replace a bra when the band no longer holds on the tightest hook, usually after six to twelve months of regular wear