How to wash and care for lingerie bodysuits at home

A lingerie bodysuit that is washed incorrectly will show the damage within a few cycles: stretched lace, flattened velvet pile, delaminated panels, or a gusset that no longer lies flat. Most of this is avoidable with a few straightforward habits.

The case for hand-washing lace and satin pieces ¶

Machine washing lace on a delicate cycle is possible with a mesh laundry bag, but hand-washing is more reliable for pieces with a Chantilly-style lace trim or a satin-weave surface. The agitation in a washing machine, even on a gentle cycle, can distort the lace ground and cause the satin to develop small pulls over time.

For hand-washing, use cool water and a small amount of a gentle detergent formulated for delicates. Submerge the piece, move it gently through the water for about two minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Do not wring. Press the water out gently between your hands and lay the piece flat on a clean towel to dry.

Machine washing ribbed cotton and knit pieces ¶

Ribbed cotton and knit bodysuits are more tolerant of machine washing, but a mesh laundry bag is still worth using to prevent the snap gusset from catching on other items in the drum. Use a cold or 30-degree cycle and a gentle programme. Avoid fabric softener on knit pieces: it coats the fibres and reduces the elasticity of the elastane over time.

Drying and storage ¶

No bodysuit in the Octave Mandate collection is tumble-dryer safe. Heat degrades elastane, which is present in every piece in the collection to some degree. Lay pieces flat to dry rather than hanging them, because hanging a wet bodysuit stretches the fabric at the shoulder straps and distorts the shape.

For storage, fold bodysuits rather than hanging them. Hanging on a hanger over time creates shoulder marks in the fabric, particularly in velvet and satin pieces. Store velvet pieces with the pile facing inward to protect the surface.

The care card included with every Octave Mandate order gives fabric-specific instructions for the piece you have ordered. If you have a question about a specific fabric, the contact form is the quickest way to reach us.