It is always best to wash your soiled underwear separately from other clothes with a gentle soap bar and at the proper water temperature to avoid infection and bacterial spread.
Washing your underwear in a separate load reduces fabric friction and keeps them from getting caught on buttons and zippers.
Benefits of Washing Your Underwear Separately
When you have a load of laundry to get done, washing your underwear separately might be a lot of work; it has its benefits. Here are some of the benefits below:
- It helps keep them lasting longer and looking new, and this helps reduce wear and tear.
- It helps reduce skin irritation and allergies.
- Washing your underwear separately helps it to retain its shape.
How To Hand Wash Your Underwear
Washing your underwear with your hand is not a terrible idea. Here is how to wash your underwear with your hands below:
Step 1: Clean your sink and fill it with cold water and detergent.
The first step in hand washing your underwear is to locate a clean sink large enough to accommodate your garments. A clean container or bathtub can also be used. Fill your sink halfway with water and add less than a penny’s worth of detergent (just enough to work up a light lather), as too much can leave a residue on your pants.
Choose a delicate or silk wash that has been specially planned. Baby shampoo is also effective for gentle cleansing.
Step 2: Place underwear in the sink and rub gently.
After you’ve placed your underwear in the sink, swish them around to loosen any dirt or stains. Next, gently scrub them (either with your fingers or a clean toothbrush), focusing on areas like the sanitization strip (gert?) and anywhere else body oils and bacteria can be present. Then, depending on how many garments you’re washing at once, soak the underwear for 5 to 15 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse Your Undergarments
When you’re ready, take your underwear out of the sink one at a time and rinse them with cold water. Rinse until all of the soap is removed from your underwear, and the water runs clear.
Always ring out your underwear to avoid stretching the fabric. If necessary, lightly squeeze the water out.
Step 4: Dry Your Underwear
To dry your underwear, lay them on a clean towel and press down on a second towel to remove any excess water. Make certain that all of the water has been squeezed out. The underwear should then be hung up to dry on a hanger or drying rack.
How To Wash Your Underwear In The Machine
It is safe to wash underwear in a washing machine. If you are concerned about contamination, clean your machine after each underwear load by running an empty cycle.
Step 1: Place your underwear in a Lingerie Bag.
Lingerie bags should protect delicate garments in the washing machine. Putting underwear in a mesh or lingerie bag keeps them from becoming tangled or snagged on other clothing.
Step 2: Use a gentle cycle to wash the load.
Set your washer to the delicate cycle and use cold water with a mild detergent. Add your bras to the washing machine and start the delicate cycle.
Step 3: Tumble dry your underwear on low heat.
When your load is finished, gently remove your underwear from the washer and place them in the dryer. Set your dryer to tumble dry on the lowest setting. If you don’t want to machine dry your underwear, follow the steps above for air drying!
Step 4: Take out, fold, and store
When your drying load is finished, take your underwear out of the lingerie bags, fold it, and store it!
Tips to be considered when washing underwear
Consider the following tips for proper underwear care now that you understand the various methods for washing your underwear.
Examine Your Garment Tag
It’s always a good idea to read the washing instructions on any type of clothing. It is usually found on a small garment tag on the inside of the back panel of underwear. Reading up on washing instructions can help you decide whether to wash your underwear in the washing machine or by hand.
Any stains should be pre-treated.
Pre-treat stains on underwear before washing to remove them. Allow a stain pre-treater or even dish soap to sit on the area for 10 minutes.
Invert your underwear.
Turn your underwear inside out to reduce wear and tear on delicate fabrics when washing. This step will also clean your underwear.
Wash with Like Items
Washing your underwear in a separate load reduces fabric friction, prevents them from becoming entangled in buttons and zippers, and improves hygiene.
Avoid the use of fabric softener or bleach.
Fabric softener is a nightmare for microfiber fabrics made of nylon and polyester. This step is unnecessary because microfiber is already silky soft. It is safe to use on cotton, but it is not recommended. Bleach should only be used for heavy-duty washes because it can weaken fabrics. If you require the additional disinfecting power of bleach, limit its use to every other wash to keep your underwear in top condition.
Select a Gentle Detergent
Delicate fabrics, such as lace and mesh, necessitate using a gentle detergent, fine fabric detergent, free and gentle detergent, or mild dish liquid.
Avoid Using a Hot Dryer
Air drying is the best way to keep your underwear looking good and lasting longer, but if you must use a dryer, tumble dry on a low setting. The average home dryer can generate heat of up to 180°F, effectively turning your dryer into a virtual oven. Underwear fabrics cannot withstand this level of heat and will stretch and sag.