Lingerie Fabric Guide: Caring for Lace, Satin, and Cotton

Every fabric in your lingerie drawer behaves differently — some need gentle cold water, others can handle more, and treating a delicate lace piece the same way you treat a cotton everyday bra is one of the fastest ways to damage it. Here's what each of the main fabrics needs.

Lace

Lace is decorative, not structural — it's usually layered over a stronger base fabric, but the exposed lace edges are the most fragile part of any piece.

• Always hand wash in cold water; lace snags easily in a machine, even inside a lingerie bag
• Never wring it — press the water out gently between a towel instead
• Dry flat, never on a hanger, since wet lace stretches out of shape under its own weight
• Store it away from rough fabrics or zippers that can catch and tear the threads

Satin

Satin's shine comes from a tight, smooth weave that's easily dulled by friction and heat.

• Hand wash in cool water with a mild detergent; hot water dulls the sheen permanently
• Avoid direct sunlight while drying — it fades satin's color faster than most fabrics
• Iron on the lowest setting if needed, and always from the inside out

Cotton

Cotton is the most forgiving fabric here and can typically handle a gentle machine cycle, but it still benefits from care.

• Machine wash on a gentle cycle in cold water; hot water shrinks cotton over time
• Avoid fabric softener — it coats cotton fibers and reduces their natural breathability
• Tumble drying on low is generally fine for cotton, unlike lace or satin, but air drying still extends its life

Microfiber and synthetic blends

Common in everyday and sports bras, these fabrics are durable but sensitive to heat, which breaks down their stretch.

• Cold water only, and avoid the dryer — heat is what causes synthetic fibers to lose their elasticity
• Rinse sports pieces promptly after wear; sweat left to sit breaks down synthetic fibers faster than normal use

The one rule that applies to all of them

When in doubt, cold water and air drying are always the safer choice. No fabric on this list benefits from heat, and every one of them lasts longer when dried flat away from direct sunlight.