The subtleties of washing white linen at home
Underwear is an important element of a woman's wardrobe. Snow-white things require a special approach. Many girls are wondering how to properly wash a white bra and panties at home, as well as which washing method to choose - by hand or in a washing machine.
General rules
Underwear, regardless of color, needs to be washed delicately. So that it retains its original appearance for a long time, you need to follow a few simple rules:
- Before the first wear, underwear must be washed.
- When washing a new item for the first time, the water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees.
- To prevent strong curling of products during machine washing, it is necessary to load the drum only halfway.
- An increased concentration of detergent negatively affects the quality of bras and panties, so you should adhere to the dosage indicated on its packaging.
- When machine washing, it is necessary to use a special bag, since it acts as a guarantor of gentle washing, prevents the straps from stretching, and also protects the machine from getting stones into the tank.
- Drying underwear in the washing machine is prohibited.
- White items should be washed separately from colored ones so that they do not dye, and they should also be sorted depending on the composition of the fabric (cotton, synthetic, linen).
- It is better to give preference to a liquid detergent, since it dissolves quickly enough in water.
materials
When choosing a method for washing white linen, you should be guided by what material it is made of:
- Cotton. Underwear is usually made from cotton as it is a natural material and also great for sensitive skin. It is better to soak white cotton underwear for 10 minutes in vinegar before washing and rub the contaminated places with soap or leave it in a soda solution for half an hour before washing. To prepare it, you need to dissolve one tablespoon of soda in three liters of water.
- Silk. Refined and stylish models of underwear are often made from silk fabric. These items should be washed by hand. Machine wash can only be used if the label has an appropriate symbol from the manufacturer, while the water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees. Silk linen is washed with mild detergents that do not contain chlorine. Things should be thoroughly rinsed and it is forbidden to wring out.
- Synthetics. Items made of synthetic materials require the use of mild detergents and a delicate wash cycle. Do not wash things at a water temperature above 40 degrees, so as not to damage the structure of the fabric.
How to keep the original color?
Whites tend to lose color after every wash. To prevent your favorite white bra or panties from becoming gray over time, one of the bleaching methods must be used:
- Oxygen bleach. Before using it, you should read the instructions, as improper use of this tool can adversely affect the quality of the fabric. Manufacturers recommend using one measuring cup per three liters of water. White underwear should be soaked for one hour. Then you need to rinse it under running water and wash using hand or machine wash.
- White. This cleaner can damage fabric fibers because it contains chlorine. Before applying whiteness, it is worth testing the product on a small inconspicuous area. For soaking three liters of water, you need 100 grams of powder and one tablespoon of whiteness. It is recommended to soak the linen for only 20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly in plain water.
- Blue. This tool is no longer in great demand, since it is rarely found on sale. But it will also help keep the whiteness of underwear. It is enough to add a little blue to the water and thoroughly dissolve all the grains, because when soaked, they can form spots on the fabric upon contact.
Soak
To keep the whiteness of underwear, it is worth soaking it before washing, using fairly simple products that are always at hand at home. Such agents act gently on tissues.
It is better to refuse the use of products that have chlorine in their composition, since it renders thin fabrics unusable.
For soaking hydrogen peroxide or ammonia is ideal. It is enough to add two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide or ammonia to one liter of cold water.After soaking, the laundry can be hand washed or machine washed.
Manually
Experts recommend hand washing underwear. Machine wash is possible, but not often. To properly wash your panties or bra, the following algorithm of actions should be followed:
- You need to take a bowl of warm water and dissolve in it a powder or other detergent without alcohol in the composition. There should be foam.
- Then dip your underwear into the soapy water. You should not combine things of different tones, especially if you wash a snow-white bra. The product must be completely immersed in water, which will help then quickly remove dirt and various kinds of stains. Heavily soiled underwear should be soaked for 60 minutes. After soaking, the water remains cloudy, and greasy stains will disappear.
- If the stains persist, then you can lightly rub the stained areas with your hands or with a small soft brush.
- Drain the water from the basin and collect clean water to rinse the product thoroughly. After rinsing, the bra is strictly forbidden to unscrew, as this action can damage the shape of the product.
Hand wash is the best solution for delicate and lacy garments. It will allow you to quickly wash or refresh clothes.
In the washing machine
Before washing in the machine, it is worth soaking white linen for a while. Only white items should be loaded into the drum so that there is no contact with colored clothing.
remember, that washing will be ineffective if you wear underwear for more than three days. Worn underwear acquires grayish and yellowish shades, which are quite difficult to get rid of.If you use soaking along with washing, then snow-white linen will delight with its original appearance for a long time.
You need to be careful when washing bras. Be sure to close all hooks so as not to damage other clothes. It is better to use special laundry bags.
Wash recommended exclusively in cold waterbecause the high temperature water can reduce the elasticity of the bra straps. After washing, the product must be immediately removed from the bag and the cups should be given their original shape. If the product remains wet, then you should not twist it, it is better to place it on a towel and gently press it to get rid of excess moisture.
Panties
Modern underwear manufacturers offer a wide range of panty models. They are made both for every day and for "special occasions". They can be made from synthetic materials, silk or cotton. Some models are smooth, others are decorated with various decors.
White panties before washing should be sorted by type of fabric:
- Cotton products can be safely washed in a washing machine, as they are not prone to deformation if you choose the right temperature.
- White panties can be washed even at a water temperature of 90 degrees.
- Panties made of synthetic materials or silk are best washed by hand. To begin with, they need to be soaked for a while, then rub the contaminated places a little, rinse and squeeze a little.
- When washing snow-white linen made of synthetics, you do not need to use strong bleaches, as they will adversely affect the structure of the fabric.
- It is better to use detergents in liquid form. They are very easily removed from the fibers of the material when rinsing.
- To avoid deformation of underwear, you should pay attention to drying the product. For cotton, drying in a vertical position on a rope is suitable. Products made of silk or synthetic fibers should be dried horizontally, spread out on a towel.
Helpful Hints
In order for white linen to look like new for a long time, it is worth adhering to simple advice from experts:
- Wash whites every three or four days of wear. Slightly soiled bras can be easily cleaned from yellow stains.
- Panties can be washed both by hand and with a washing machine. Bras with underwire are best washed by hand, but sports models or in the form of tops can be safely thrown into the machine.
- If you decide to wash a bra with underwire in the washing machine, then you should use a special bag or replace it with a pillowcase, which must be sewn up before washing so that things do not fall out of it.
- Before washing, be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions so as not to spoil the thing.
For information on how to quickly and easily whiten a bra at home, see the following video.