Caring for lace and mesh lingerie at home

Lace and mesh are not fragile in the way people often assume. They are made to flex and recover. What damages them is not washing, but the wrong kind of washing: too much heat, too much agitation, and the wrong detergent. Get those three things right and a well-made lace piece will outlast most of the other things in your wardrobe.

Hand-washing versus machine-washing ¶

Hand-washing in cool water with a small amount of gentle detergent is the safest option for any lace or mesh piece. The process takes about three minutes. Submerge the piece, move it gently through the water for a minute or two, rinse thoroughly, and press out the water without wringing. The pressing step matters: wringing lace distorts the pattern and can break the fibres at the twist points.

Machine-washing is acceptable for most mesh and lace pieces if you use a mesh laundry bag, a cold delicate cycle, and a low spin speed. The laundry bag prevents the lace from catching on other items or on the drum. Without it, even a delicate cycle can cause snagging.

Detergent and fabric softener ¶

Use a detergent designed for delicates or wool. Standard detergents contain enzymes that break down protein fibres, and while most lace is synthetic, the enzyme action can still degrade the fibres over time. A small amount of delicate detergent is enough for a single piece.

Avoid fabric softener on lace. Softener works by coating fibres with a thin layer of lubricant, which makes them feel softer but also makes them less able to recover their shape after stretching. Over several washes, softener-treated lace loses its structure. For mesh, the effect is less pronounced, but it is still worth avoiding.

Drying ¶

Lay flat to dry on a clean towel or a drying rack. Hanging a wet lace or mesh piece causes the fabric to stretch under its own weight, particularly at the shoulder straps and waistband. The distortion is usually permanent.

Keep pieces away from direct heat sources while drying. A radiator will dry a piece quickly but the heat degrades the elastane content, which is what gives the fabric its recovery. Room temperature drying takes a few hours longer but the piece will hold its shape for significantly more wears.

The care label is the starting point, not the whole answer. If a piece you own is not performing as expected after washing, the consultation form is a good place to ask.