Luxury lingerie is an investment in feeling fabulous – and like any investment, it pays to take care of it. High-end materials like silk and fine lace are delicate by nature, but with the right care, your Donna Speziatta pieces will last for many years of enjoyment. If you’ve ever ruined a favorite bra in the washing machine or felt your lace dulled after a wash, this guide is for you. Here’s how to pamper your lingerie, so it continues to pamper you.

Washing: Gentle is Key

The golden rule for lingerie care: hand wash whenever possible. It might sound tedious, but hand-washing is the best way to protect delicate fabrics and detailing. Fill a clean basin or sink with lukewarm (not hot) water. Add a small amount of mild detergent – ideally one formulated for delicates or silk. (Regular detergents can be harsh; look for words like “lingerie wash” or “gentle wash” on the label.) Swish the water to mix in the soap, then submerge your lingerie. Gently swirl each piece around. Let it soak for about 5-10 minutes, then carefully rinse with cool water until no suds remain. Never use bleach – it can yellow whites and eat away at fibers.

What if you’re short on time? You can machine-wash some items, but do so sparingly and with precautions. Use the delicate cycle (cold water) and put your pieces in a mesh lingerie bag. Wash light and dark colors separately. Even in the machine, skip the dryer (more on that below). And absolutely avoid washing silk or anything with underwire or elaborate lace in the machine – these truly need hand care.

Drying: Air and Patience

After washing, resist the urge to wring or twist your lingerie to get water out – this can distort shapes and stretch fabrics. Instead, lay the item on a clean towel and roll it up like a sushi roll to gently press out excess water. When it comes to drying, heat is the enemy. Never throw luxury lingerie in the dryer. The high heat can ruin elastic, shrink silk, and make lace brittle. Instead, lay your lingerie flat to dry, or hang it up away from direct sunlight. Direct sun can fade colors and weaken fibers, so if you hang, do it in a shaded, airy spot. For bras, it’s best to hang them by the center gore (the piece between cups) on a hanger or drying rack, not by the straps (which can stretch out) or one shoulder strap (which can distort the shape). It might take longer for your items to dry naturally, but it’s worth it.

Storing: Preserve the Shape

How you store your lingerie can also affect its lifespan. For bras, especially those with molded cups, avoid crushing them. A good method is to nest your bras – lay them in a drawer with cups inside each other, so they maintain their shape. If you have space, keep the matching panties nearby to easily grab the set. For lace bralettes or unlined bras, you can fold them gently, but again avoid bending any wires. Underwear and other items can be folded or laid flat. You might consider a lingerie drawer organizer or simply dedicate a clean, dry drawer for your intimates. Keep silks and laces away from rough fabrics that could snag them (for example, don’t store your lace chemise right under a sweater with hooks or Velcro). If you have pieces with special embellishments or particularly snaggable lace, consider storing them in individual soft cloth bags for extra protection.

Extra Tips and Tricks

• Rotate Your Favorites: It’s tempting to wear that one perfect bra every day, but try to give your pieces a rest between wears. Elastic needs time to recover its shape. Rotating will prolong their firmness and fit.
• Perfume & Lotion Caution: Apply perfumes, sprays, or body lotions and let them dry before you put on your lingerie. Alcohol and chemicals in these products can degrade delicate fibers over time, especially silk.
• Handle with Care: When putting on or taking off lace items, be mindful of jewelry or long nails that could catch. It sounds obvious, but a sudden yank on a lace teddy can cause a tear. Taking a few extra seconds to undo all clasps/hooks (rather than pulling out of a still-clasped bra, for example) makes a difference.
• Know When to Say Goodbye: Even with the best care, some pieces will eventually show wear – elastics loosen, colors might gently fade. When that happens, it’s okay to retire an item. You can keep it as a backup or for sentimental reasons, but continuing to wear very worn-out bras, for example, isn’t great for support. Treat yourself to a new one – you deserve it!

Caring for luxury lingerie is simpler than it may seem – it’s all about gentle handling and mindful habits. When you invest a little extra love in washing and storing your intimates, they’ll return the favor by looking and feeling exquisite wear after wear. Your Donna Speziatta pieces are crafted to last, and with these care tips, they will. Have questions about a specific item’s care? Check the garment’s care label (we include them for a reason!), or reach out to our team for advice. Ready to add something new and beautiful to your collection? Explore our latest silk and lace pieces – and rest easy knowing you now have the know-how to keep them gorgeous for the long run. Happy caring, and enjoy your lingerie for many seasons to come!