Have you ever found the most beautiful piece of lingerie, the right color, and the perfect fit only to destroy it in the wash before getting to really enjoy it? Unfortunately this needlessly happens way too often and is completely preventable. Here are some valuable tips to keep in mind when washing your delicate intimate apparel to insure it stays pretty and intact for the longest possible enjoyment.

Dry cleaning is probably the easiest way to clean your precious pieces; however, not everyone is comfortable dropping into their local cleaners with a basket full of intimates. If you are the shy type or just want to save on your dry cleaning bill you will defiantly appreciate the information provided here. Dry cleaning, on the other hand, perhaps is not such a bad option if you are not easily embarrassed or live in a large town with many cleaners in your neighborhood. For those in small towns or extremely modest, thankfully there are other options. 

Hand washing is probably the next best thing to dry cleaning. It can be done with a gentle touch and will not damage fragile garments. If you choose to hand wash, it is best to use cold water to avoid garment shrinkage. Use a mild detergent that is suitable for delicates. Place the lingerie, along with the detergent in the sink or a bowl. Let them soak for about 25-30 minutes. Drain and refill with clean water and soak an additional 10 minutes. Gently turn the garment with your hand to remove any remaining soap. Once through this process should be sufficient but, feel free to complete cycle again for heavily soiled or stained pieces.

If you do not have time to mess with hand washing then machine washing on the gentle cycle is a great alternative. Many of today's machines offer a delicate cycle that works wonderfully for intimates. Despite their gentleness, a lingerie laundry bag is highly recommended to prevent damage to lace, bows, ribbons, and hooks. Again, use cold water and a detergent specially recommended for delicates. Never use bleach as it can be too harsh and damage the delicate material. Remember to separate dark and light colors so they will not discolor one another during the wash. 

For drying your intimates, you should hang it up if possible or reshape and lay flat to dry. You must never wring out lingerie or you can damage the delicate fibers of the material causing the garment to tear or fray. If you desire to put it in the dryer, leave the lingerie in the lingerie bag and set to the lowest possible setting. 

Following these simple guidelines will ensure you can enjoy your favorite lingerie even longer. This is such a great thing since the perfect lingerie can sometimes be hard to come by. Once you find the right piece to accommodate an outfit, or one that fits you well and makes you look ultra sexy you want them to last as long as possible. Besides, what girl does not want to spend her money adding new lingerie to her collection rather than simply replacing the old? Not many I know!

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