When it comes to laundry, it’s tempting to throw all your clothes, including undergarments, into the washing machine. However, this can be detrimental to your delicate undergarments. Machine washing can damage the fabric, reduce the lifespan, and compromise hygiene. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why undergarments should be hand-washed and provide valuable tips on how to care for your intimate apparel.
Machine Washing Damage
Machine washing can cause irreversible damage to undergarments, especially those made from delicate fabrics. Here are some common issues:
Fabric degradation: Machine washing can cause fibres to break down, leading to
- Loss of elasticity: Undergarments lose their stretchiness and shape.
- Reduced fabric strength: Fibres become weaker, prone to tears.
- Texture changes: Fabric becomes rough, losing softness.
Affected fabrics are usually Silk, Lace, Nylon, Spandex
Snagging and lint: The spin cycle and agitation can cause snags or create lint on delicate fabrics.
- Snag delicate fabrics: Hooks, eyes, or zippers catch and damage fabric.
- Create lint: Friction generates fluffy fibers, compromising appearance.
Affected fabrics are Lace, Silk and Cotton blends
Color bleeding: Machine washing can cause colors to fade or bleed, ruining the appearance.
- Fade: Vibrant colors dull and lose intensity.
- Bleed: Dye transfers to adjacent fabrics, ruining appearance.
Affected fabrics are usually Silk, Cotton and Rayon
Shrinkage: Machine washing high heat and agitation can
- Shrink fibers: Undergarments reduce in size.
- Alter fit: Garments become tight, uncomfortable.
Affected fabrics are Cotton, Rayon and Linen
Factors contributing to machine washing damage:
- High water temperature
- Harsh detergents
- Overloading washing machine
- Using fabric softeners or bleach
To Minimize Damage:
- Hand wash or use delicate cycle
- Use mild detergent
- Avoid fabric softeners and bleach
- Cold water wash
- Reshape and air-dry
By understanding these potential damages, you can take steps to protect your undergarments and extend their lifespan.
Underwear Care Tips
To ensure your undergarments remain in excellent condition, follow these care tips:
Hand Wash vs Machine Wash
Hand washing is the recommended method for undergarments. It:
- Preserves delicate fabrics
- Prevents snagging and lint
- Maintains color vibrancy
- Reduces shrinkage risk
Best Way to Clean Undergarments
To hand wash undergarments:
- Use cold water to fill a sink or basin.
- Add mild detergent.
- Gently submerge and swish undergarments.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Gently squeeze excess water.
- Reshape and air-dry.
Reasons to Avoid Machine Washing:
1. Delicate fabrics: Undergarments often feature lace, silk, or cotton, which machine washing can damage.
2. Hygiene: Machine washing can redistribute bacteria, compromising hygiene.
3. Lifespan: Machine washing reduces undergarment lifespan.
Best Cleaning Methods:
- Hand washing with mild detergent.
- Using a delicate cycle (if machine washing is necessary).
- Avoiding fabric softeners and bleach.
Washing Delicate Fabrics:
- Silk: Hand wash in cold water with mild detergent.
- Lace: Hand wash in cold water, avoiding agitation.
- Cotton: Hand or machine wash on delicate cycle.
While Hand Washing is time consuming, it preserves delicate fabrics, maintains colour of the fabric and reduces shrinkage. On the other hand, Machine Washing although quick & efficient, it damages delicate fabrics, causes snagging, shrinkage, and color bleeding
By hand washing your undergarments, you’ll extend their lifespan, maintain hygiene, and prevent damage. Hence, PKC Laundries recommends hand washing undergarments to ensure delicate fabrics remain intact.
PKC Laundries hand wash delicate fabrics and Kids/Infants clothes. We take extra care in maintaining hygiene standards.
