If you own a bra, a pair of underwear, or any sort of lingerie, you should be hand washing these pieces consistently, so please keep reading if you're not sure how it's done. You've probably shelled out a fair sum of cash on your intimates, and we know you want to preserve their condition — especially for those times it feels appropriate to let them show. Even though there are ways to throw your underthings through the wash and get away with it, we wanted to find out what the most gentle tactic really is, because we cherish our lingerie.
We tapped our friends Jessica Gleckler, director of retail at Eberjey, and Kathleen Talbot, Reformation's chief sustainability officer & VP operations, for some pro tips. Even though hand washing is simple, there are dos, don'ts, and common mistakes to be aware of. Eco-friendly brand Reformation partners with Cosabella on a range of intimates, and Kathleen shed light on why hand washing not only preserves your underwear, but benefits the environment:
"Unfortunately, all lingerie is made using some amount of synthetic material, which means when you wash it, tiny bits of plastic called microfibres shed and contribute to plastic pollution of our waterways. The good news is that by gently hand washing your pieces in cold water, you can reduce the number of microfibres released." So just by taking the advice we've curated below, you'll be lengthening the life of your beautiful bra and panty sets, skipping the extra cycle on the wash (hello, you're saving energy!), and helping to protect the planet.