Quick answer

Fill a clean basin with cool water and a small amount of gentle detergent. Submerge your bras and briefs, gently squeeze the suds through the fabric for a minute, then rinse until the water runs clear. Never wring or twist. Roll in a towel to remove excess water and dry flat away from direct heat.

Hand washing your delicates is the easiest way to protect lace, Lyocell and cotton fibres from the tugging and heat of a washing machine. It takes about five minutes and keeps your favourite bras and briefs looking newer for longer.

This routine works for everyday pieces like the Au Naturel Thong and the Classic Underwire Bra, and it is gentle enough for any item labelled hand wash only. Follow these steps and you will avoid the most common mistakes that stretch cups, break underwires or dull colours.

What you need before you start

Gather a clean basin or sink, cool water, a gentle detergent formulated for delicates, and a clean towel. Avoid using regular laundry powder or fabric softener, which can leave residue on elastic and reduce stretch over time.

Check the care label on each item first. Most Bendon bras and briefs are hand wash recommended, but if a label says dry clean only, follow that instead. Sort your items by colour so dark dyes do not bleed onto lighter fabrics.

  • Use a dedicated delicate detergent or a small amount of mild liquid soap.
  • Keep water cool or lukewarm, never hot.
  • Remove any detachable straps or pads if the design allows.

The step-by-step hand wash routine

Fill your basin with cool water and add a teaspoon of gentle detergent. Swirl the water with your hand to mix it through. Place your bras and briefs in the water and let them soak for three to five minutes. This loosens sweat and body oils without agitating the fabric.

Gently squeeze the suds through each item using a soft kneading motion. Pay attention to the underband, gusset and any lace edges. Do not scrub, twist or wring. If an item is heavily soiled, replace the water with fresh suds and repeat the gentle squeeze once.

  • Soak for no more than five minutes to protect elastic.
  • Support underwire bras with both hands when lifting them out.
  • Never rub lace against itself; it causes pulls and pilling.

Rinsing and removing excess water

Drain the basin and refill with clean cool water. Press down gently on each item to push water through the fibres, then lift and repeat until no suds remain. Two or three rinses are usually enough. If you see bubbles, keep rinsing.

To remove water, lay a clean towel flat and place your items on top. Roll the towel up like a Swiss roll and press firmly. The towel absorbs most of the moisture so the garment dries faster. Do not twist the towel or wring the garment.

  • Never leave items soaking for hours; it weakens fibres.
  • Do not use hot water to rinse, as it can shrink or distort.
  • If the water still feels slippery, rinse once more.

Drying delicates without damage

Reshape each bra and brief while it is still damp. Lay them flat on a drying rack or a clean towel, away from direct sunlight and radiators. Heat breaks down elastane and can warp underwires, so air drying at room temperature is always best.

Hang briefs by the waistband if you prefer, but never hang a bra by its straps. The weight of wet cups stretches the straps and distorts the fit. If you need to speed up drying, use a fan on a low setting rather than a hairdryer.

  • Dry flat to keep cups and seams in shape.
  • Avoid tumble dryers even on a delicate cycle.
  • Turn printed or dark items inside out to reduce fading.

Your five-step delicate wash routine

  1. 1. Check the label and sort: Read the care instructions on each item. Separate lights from darks to prevent colour transfer. If a label says dry clean only, do not hand wash it.
  2. 2. Fill a basin with cool water and gentle detergent: Use one teaspoon of delicate detergent. Swirl to mix, never pour detergent directly onto fabric. Hot water and harsh detergent are the fastest way to ruin elastic.
  3. 3. Soak and gently squeeze: Submerge items for three to five minutes. Knead suds through the fabric with your hands, focusing on the underband and gusset. Never scrub, twist or wring, even if an item is heavily soiled.
  4. 4. Rinse until the water runs clear: Drain and refill with cool water. Press down gently and lift. Repeat until no suds appear. Leftover detergent attracts dirt and can irritate sensitive skin.
  5. 5. Roll in a towel and dry flat: Lay items on a clean towel, roll it up and press to absorb water. Reshape and dry flat away from heat. Hanging a bra by its straps stretches them; always dry bras flat.

Delicates that benefit from hand washing

A simple hand wash routine takes minutes and protects the fit, feel and colour of your delicates. Keep the water cool, use a gentle detergent, and always dry flat. Your bras and briefs will thank you with a longer, better-fitting life.