Raise your hand if you’ve ever struggled with laundry. ?
Raise your hand if laundry is NOT your favorite chore. ?
We’ve got some great news for those of you who raised your hand – and for those of you who didn’t. Laundry for intimates, workout wear and swimwear is not the nemesis so many believe it to be. In fact, it can be a peaceful and rewarding ritual. One of our customers loves to hand wash her intimates because it reminds her of the fun she had in picking them out (love you S.K ♥️). Below are a few things to consider and know for your intimates’ laundry solutions.
To hand wash or machine wash.
This is the first question to answer. We always encourage handwashing. The fabrics used for creating your beautiful intimates are strong, yet delicate. To get the longest and best use out of them, hand washing is the best way to go. For your workout wear, those technical, stretchy fabrics that work so hard to keep you comfortable during your workouts, can end up holding on to dirt and odors. Machine washing on the DELICATE or HAND WASH cycle with fabric-friendly laundry products is the answer. The same holds true for swimwear. The construction may be tough, but the fabric is not. And the chlorines and chemicals of pool water and the harshness of saltwater and sun put a strain on the fabrics.
The right detergent for the right job.
Here at Uplift, we carry two brands that we love. The Laundress is “a conscious collection of detergent, fabric care, and home cleaning products that take excellent care of you, the things you love, and the environment.” Three (+ one more) of our favorite products from The Laundress include:
- Delicate Wash .. safely removes perspiration, body oils, and stains while cleaning, freshening, and preserving fabrics. Specially designed for the care of silks, synthetics, blends, and other items labeled “dry clean.”
- Stain Solution .. is tough on stains from red wine and coffee to pit stains. Whether you’re rescuing a brand-new shirt or reviving you’re your favorite night gown, just one drop of this powerful unscented solution effectively removes stubborn stains, old and new.
- Sports Detergent.. is designed to clean and preserve elasticity while removing perspiration, body odor, and stains from performance fabrics. Note: The Sport Spray is a life saver in neutralizing odors for tough to clean items like shoes, bags and helmets!
Soak Wash is “designed to effectively clean, revitalize and protect your favorite items.” Designed and manufactured in Canada, this eco-friendly, rinse-free wash cleans beautifully and is ideal for hand or machine washing, including High Efficiency (HE) machines. The basis for the product is “if it’s not good for your skin, it’s not good for your hand washables either.” At Soak, they’ve made sure that all ingredients in their gentle no-rinse formulation are skin and fabric-friendly, with no harsh chemicals or overwhelming fragrances. You can even use it to wash baby stuff and shampoo your pets. Because Soak is a low-suds liquid, the dirt and detergent come out in the water, and whatever is left in the item evaporates. When you squeeze out the water, all that’s left behind is a hint of fragrance that dissipates over time. You can certainly rinse if you want, but rinsing won’t affect how Soak cleans. It will just remove the fragrance. Because no-rinse requires less agitation, it’s easier on fabrics. Plus, the process uses less water, which is good for the planet.
Bonus Tip One: Soak works great on yoga mats too.
Dilute a squeeze of Soak in water and give your favorite mat a wipe that will leave it clean and smelling a lot better than your last workout.
Bonus Tip Two: Soak also has a Handmaid Luxury Hand Cream we love.
Enriched with shea butter, olive oil, and vitamins A & E, Handmade rejuvenates skin and protects dry skin, and is scented to match your favorite Soak fragrance.
Keep it all together.
Don’t forget your mesh laundry bags. This workhorse of the laundry helps keep all your favorites safe and together.
- They help avoid stretched straps or hook damage to other garments.
- They keep delicate fabrics from snagging.
- They are a great way to keep individual socks from running away from home.
Final Frontier Tips.
- Never put your intimates, work out wear or swim wear in the dryer. EVER!!
- Don’t use fabric softener. It leaves a coating that can make it harder for water to get through the fabric, trapping stinky smells.
- Wash your items either alone or with similar fabrics to keep items from pilling or stretching.
- Wash sports bras after every use.
- Turn items inside out for the detergents to have better access to the dirtiest, sweatiest parts.
Here’s to adventures in the laundry! You’ve got this.
Until next time, behind the curtain.