Quick answer

Wash bodysuits and rompers in cold water on a delicate cycle inside a lingerie wash bag, or hand wash them with a gentle detergent. Never wring, never use hot water, and always air dry flat or line dry. This routine keeps the stretch fibers from breaking down, which is what causes sagging and lost shape.

Why stretching happens in the wash

Stretch fabrics like spandex and elastane are made of tiny elastic fibers woven into the material. Heat, agitation, and harsh detergents break those fibers down over time, so the garment stops snapping back to its original size. A bodysuit that fit perfectly can start to bag at the seat or knees after just a few hot washes. The fix is not to avoid washing — it is to control temperature, friction, and drying method.

Sorting and preparing before you wash

Separate bodysuits and rompers from heavy items like jeans or towels. Zippers, buttons, and rough seams from other clothes catch on stretch fabric and pull it out of shape. Close any snaps or hooks so they do not snag. Turn each piece inside out to protect the outer surface and any prints. If a romper has a detachable hood, like the Make Me Semi-Sheer Hooded Jumpsuit, remove it first so the main body does not get weighed down or twisted during the cycle.

Hand washing vs. machine washing

Hand washing gives you the most control and is safest for delicate lace, mesh, or anything with a loose knit. Fill a sink with cold water, add a capful of gentle detergent, and submerge the garment. Gently squeeze the suds through the fabric for about a minute, then rinse with cold water until no bubbles remain. Do not rub the fabric against itself.

Machine washing is fine for most everyday bodysuits and rompers if you use a mesh lingerie wash bag and select the delicate cycle with cold water and low spin. The bag stops the garment from stretching around the drum. If your machine has a hand-wash or wool cycle, that is even gentler. Skip the bag only if you are washing a single item alone and the cycle is extremely short.

Drying without damage

Never put stretch bodysuits or rompers in the dryer. Heat is the number one cause of permanent stretching and shrinkage in the same garment. Instead, lay the piece flat on a clean towel and roll the towel to press out excess water. Then reshape it and let it air dry flat on a drying rack. Hanging a wet bodysuit by the shoulders can stretch the neckline and add length to the body. If you must hang, use a clip hanger at the waist and keep the garment supported.

What about stains and odors?

For spot treatment, dab a tiny amount of gentle detergent directly onto the stain with your finger, let it sit for five minutes, then wash as usual. Avoid bleach and fabric softener — both coat the fibers and reduce stretch. If a bodysuit has a lingering odor after washing, soak it in cold water with a half cup of white vinegar for 15 minutes, then rinse. That resets the fabric without harsh chemicals.

Step-by-step wash routine

  1. Check the label and empty pockets: Look for any care symbols and remove anything from pockets. Common mistake: assuming all bodysuits can be machine washed the same way. Checkpoint: if the label says hand wash only, stop here and use the sink method. When in doubt, hand wash.
  2. Turn inside out and close snaps: This protects the outer fabric and keeps snaps from catching on other clothes. Common mistake: leaving the bodysuit right-side out, which exposes prints and delicate knits to friction. Inside out every time.
  3. Place in a lingerie wash bag: Use a mesh bag sized for the garment. For a romper, fold it loosely so it fits without bunching. Common mistake: overstuffing the bag, which prevents proper rinsing and can still stretch the fabric. One garment per bag if it is bulky.
  4. Wash cold on delicate: Select cold water and the delicate or hand-wash cycle with low spin. Add a gentle detergent. Common mistake: using hot water or a normal cycle, which breaks down stretch fibers. Cold and gentle is non-negotiable.
  5. Skip the dryer entirely: Lay flat to dry on a towel or rack, reshaping while damp. Common mistake: hanging a wet bodysuit by the straps, which stretches the shoulders and neckline. Air dry flat, never hang wet.

Product care notes

  • Love on Me Long Sleeve Bodysuit: Love on Me Long Sleeve Bodysuit has a fitted silhouette with a 1.8 to 2 inch inseam across sizes S through XL. A short inseam means less fabric to stretch, but the snug fit still needs cold water and air drying to keep the snap closure area from losing shape.
  • Make Me Semi-Sheer Hooded Jumpsuit - Final Few!: Make Me Semi-Sheer Hooded Jumpsuit has a detachable hood and comes in sizes XS through XL. Remove the hood before washing so the main body does not twist or pull, and wash the hood separately in a lingerie bag.
  • Nina: Nina bralette is a cami-style crop bralette in White, available in S, M, and L, and pairs with silicone nipple covers sold separately. The white fabric shows wear and pilling more easily, so hand washing or a mesh bag keeps it looking fresh and prevents the straps from stretching.