The pace of life today does not leave much time for taking care of fussy, complex items. Clothing in particular has been made increasingly easy to care for because people do not have the time or inclination to take care of clothes that require more than a straightforward cycle in the washer and dryer. Even as shirts, jeans, and work clothing has become simpler and easier to care for, there are still many items in a woman’s wardrobe that will benefit from gentler handling.

Bras, panties, plus size hosiery, and other intimate garments are used on a daily basis and can quickly wear out if not cared for correctly. Since many intimate garments are expensive to replace, caring for them correctly becomes a matter of economy. You can greatly increase the useful life of your intimate garments by following a few simple principles.

Buy multiples

Since intimate garments get used more than just about any other article of clothing in your wardrobe it is to your advantage to buy lots of them. Women know just how hard it is to find bras or plus size stockings that fit well and look great so when you find a brand that you really like, stick with it. Having many pieces will help you spread out wear and tear, too. If you are trying to spread out daily use among just a few intimate items then you will find that these few items wear out very quickly. Having more items allows you to spare each of them from overuse.

Wash in dedicated cycles

Your washing machine has more settings than simply hot and cold. Delicate or gentle wash cycles are there for you to use on garments that require careful handling. Wash your intimate items on a dedicated cycle so that they can fully benefit from the laundering process. You might find it helpful to invest in a particular detergent. Many of the cleaning ingredients found in general use detergents may be too harsh for these delicate garments. Consider purchasing a bottle of gentle detergent to use on these dedicated gentle wash cycles.

A delicate wash cycle can be used for:

• Bras
• Panties
• Hosiery
• Evening gloves
• Silk blouses
• Slips and camisoles

If you only have a few delicate wash items then it might be a waste of time to wash them separately. You can still get them clean without simply tossing them in with your jeans and socks. A laundry bag is a lightweight bag made of mesh that will hold your delicate items apart from other things in the washing machine while still allowing them to get clean. This will prevent the items from getting damaged and will  preserve their quality. Laundry bags can be purchased from well-stocked department stores, specialty house goods stores, or on the Internet. You can also make your own if you have some soft polyester mesh.

Think about appropriate storage solutions

Storing your delicate intimate garments correctly is just as important as washing them correctly. Look for storage solutions that keep these items separated from other things. Do not store your intimate garments with jewelry or other items that could catch or snag on fine fabric. Boxes and bins can be used inside drawers to create a storage area that is set apart. This will help keep your intimate garments clean and organized.