by Shikha

Created on: June 17, 2008

Lingerie is like a secret which makes you smile to yourself and makes others around you wonder what the mysterious smile is all about. It is a wonder how these small things which no one else sees can give you confidence and make a day feel much better. And so it is not a very pretty sight to see your $50 bra with a bent wire staring back at you from inside the washing machine. The soft, lacy, delicate gifts which you bought for yourself after a lot of browsing, a lot of thought and made your pocket a little lighter requires extra care.

BUY RIGHT
Lingerie care becomes a lot easier if you buy the right fit. If you buy a bra that is too tight for you it would not take very long before the hooks come loose off and the straps wear off. The elastic straps would become plastic before you have even used it to your heart's content.

WASH WITH CARE
Have you ever noticed a small piece of cloth dangling somewhere near the hooks of a bra or the rim of panties. If you did not it can be guessed easily that your lingerie is not being pampered enough! Read the wash and dry instructions carefully. It is always best to wash your lingerie by hand. More effort, yes, but it definitely will lengthen the lifespan of your favorite pieces. If you are out of time, then use separate bags or bra balls which act like a ball inside which you can place the bra thus retaining its shape and protecting the delicate laces and wire.
Use very little detergent and if it is a colored piece make sure not to soak it in water for too long. Wash till the detergent is completely washed off.

DRY WITH CARE TOO
Do not tumble dry. There are chances that the rough handling can damage the delicate fabric or wear off the elastic. Hang dry making sure that the lingerie does not lose shape. I do not use clips to hang them as the fabric might get torn off. Hang in a place where it is not too windy and not too humid.

STORE SMART
Storage plays an important role in increasing the life of a lingerie collection. Do not place them under a pile of heavy clothes or dump them unceremoniously between your clothes. The weight might damage the soft line of padding and wires. Keep a separate drawer aside for your lingerie. Or pack them in a bag. Easy to find your small stuff as well as smart way to make your lingerie last longer.

So take care of all your silky lacy stuff so that they can make you feel special for a long time!

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