Quick answer
Hand wash delicates in cool water with a gentle detergent, soak for no more than 10 minutes, then press—never wring—the water out and lay flat to dry. This protects stretch lace and silk from heat, agitation, and weight that cause stretching, dulling, and loss of shape.
Most delicate fabrics fail because of how they are washed, not how often. Heat, twisting, and heavy wet hanging are the three biggest culprits behind stretched lace, dulled silk, and misshapen waistbands. Hand washing gives you control over all three.
This guide walks through a repeatable hand-wash routine for lace and silk pieces, including Lace Laboratory’s stretch lace and silk styles. You will also find checkpoints for the mistakes that quietly ruin delicates over time.
Before you start: sort and prep
Separate lights from darks and keep anything with hooks, zippers, or rough hardware away from lace and silk. Close any clasps and check for loose threads or small tears—washing can make them worse. If a piece has a care label, read it first; it may specify a temperature or drying method you should follow.
Fill a clean basin or sink with cool water. Hot water can shrink silk and weaken the elasticity of stretch lace, so cool is the safe default. Add a small amount of gentle detergent—one teaspoon is usually enough for a few pieces—and swish it through the water before adding anything.
- Never pour detergent directly onto fabric; it can leave residue or discoloration.
- Keep a separate basin for heavily soiled items so you do not transfer dirt to delicates.
Step-by-step hand washing
Submerge your delicates and gently press them down with your palms so they absorb water. Let them soak for 5 to 10 minutes. Do not scrub, rub, or twist—friction is what causes pilling, snags, and stretched lace. For extra care, support the fabric with both hands rather than letting it hang.
After soaking, lift each piece out and squeeze the sudsy water out by pressing it between your palms. Dump the soapy water and refill with clean cool water. Rinse by dipping and pressing until the water runs clear. If you see bubbles, keep rinsing—leftover detergent can attract dirt and irritate skin.
- Common mistake: wringing or twisting to speed drying. It permanently distorts lace and silk.
- Checkpoint: the rinse water should be clear and feel slippery-free before you stop.
Drying without damage
Lay a clean, dry towel flat and place your delicates on top. Roll the towel up gently to absorb excess water, then unroll and transfer the pieces to a drying rack. Lay them flat and reshape them with your hands. Hanging wet lace or silk by the straps or waistband adds weight that stretches them out of shape.
Keep drying items out of direct sunlight and away from radiators or vents. Heat can fade color and degrade elastic fibers. If you need to speed things up, point a fan at the rack on low—just avoid high heat.
- Never put lace or silk in a dryer, even on low. Heat is the fastest way to ruin stretch.
- If a piece feels stiff after drying, it may not have rinsed fully. Rewash with a shorter soak.
How often to hand wash
Bras and bralettes can often go two to three wears between washes if you rotate them and let them air out. Thongs, G-strings, and underwear should be washed after every wear. Silk items benefit from less frequent washing overall—spot clean when possible and hand wash when needed.
If you sweat heavily or wear a piece for a full day, wash it sooner. Odors and oils can set into fibers over time, and stretch lace holds onto residue more than smooth fabrics.
- Rotate your delicates so each piece gets rest days between wears.
- For silk, spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap between full washes.
Your 7-step hand wash routine
- Sort and close clasps: Separate lights from darks and fasten any hooks or clips so they do not snag lace. Check care labels for any temperature limits. Checkpoint: nothing rough is touching delicate fabric.
- Fill with cool water and gentle detergent: Use a clean basin, cool water, and about one teaspoon of gentle detergent. Swish to mix before adding clothes. Common mistake: hot water or too much detergent.
- Soak for 5–10 minutes: Submerge and press gently with your palms. Do not scrub, rub, or twist. Checkpoint: fabric is fully wet but not agitated.
- Press out soapy water: Lift each piece and squeeze water out between your palms. Never wring or twist. Common mistake: twisting to dry faster—this stretches lace.
- Rinse in clean cool water: Refill the basin and dip and press until the water runs clear. Repeat if needed. Checkpoint: no bubbles and no slippery feel remain.
- Roll in a towel: Lay pieces on a dry towel, roll gently to absorb excess water, then unroll. This removes water without stressing fibers.
- Lay flat to dry: Reshape by hand and dry flat away from sun and heat. Never hang wet lace or silk. Checkpoint: straps and waistbands are not bearing weight.
Delicates built for gentle care
- Silk Lace Thong - Liquorice Therapy: Pairs a lustrous, silky-smooth front with signature stretch lace and a waistband that stretches up to 150% for a personalized fit. The silk front needs cool water and no wringing, while the stretch lace waistband should never be hung wet—both habits keep the fit and finish intact.
- Lace Bralette - Teal Tide: Wire-free and non-padded, crafted in signature stretchable lace that stretches up to 150%, with adjustable straps and a back clip. Close the back clip before washing to prevent snags, and lay flat to dry so the stretch lace keeps its shape and support.
- Long Lace Triangle Bralette - Candy Pink: Wire-free, non-padded longline silhouette in signature lace that stretches up to 150%, with no clasp at the back and adjustable shoulder straps. The longline shape can stretch if hung wet, so press water out gently and dry flat to protect the silhouette.
Hand washing delicates takes a few extra minutes but protects the stretch, sheen, and shape you paid for. Keep the water cool, skip the wringing, and always dry flat—your lace and silk will thank you.
