The guidelines for shapewear are similar to bras. Because shapewear is worn so close to the skin, it needs frequent cleaning but it must be done properly to keep the elastic properties at their best. Panties should be washed after every wearing. To protect delicate thongs and lacy panties, hand wash or place them in a mesh bag and wash on the delicate cycle. For all lingerie, skip the clothes dryer and direct sunlight. The high heat is deadly to delicate and elastic fibers. Air dry on an indoor drying rack. Denim jeans are sturdy and great at hiding stains. But if they are tight fitting, they still should be washed after every 4 to 5 wearings even if they look clean. To protect the dark color, wash jeans inside out to prevent fading. For shorts and casual pants that are made of khaki or lightweight fabrics, wash after every two to three wearings or when a visible stain appears. To extend the life of blouses and tops, don’t overdo underarm antiperspirants. They can discolor and leave a heavy residue on clothing. Wear an undershirt or dress shields to prevent staining to blouses. If it is a special occasion or dressy blouse that you don’t wear often, clean it after each wear. You don’t want to find a stain a few months later when you’re ready to wear it again. Older stains are harder to remove. You may also need to do touch-up pressing or place the garments in a clothes dryer fo outfitted with steam drying or in a regular dryer with a damp white lint-free towel for ten minutes to help remove wrinkles. Jackets can usually be worn five or six times before they need cleaning - either by washing or dry cleaning (check the labels) - unless they have a readily visible stain. Be sure to check key contact areas often - collars, sleeves, elbows - to be sure they are clean. Again, be sure to give them breathing time between wearings. You may also need to use an odor remover for fabrics to whisk away light odors. If you have a matching jacket and pants or jacket and skirt, be sure to wash or dry clean them together each time. This will prevent uneven fading. As with jackets, check necklines, cuffs, and elbows each time to be sure they are still clean. Don’t forget, those sheets also need washing at least once per week. If you like to wear yoga pants but don’t really do yoga, they still need to be treated with care to keep them looking nice and help them last as long as possible. Swimsuits should be washed after every wearing. Salt, chlorine, perspiration, and body oils are deadly to the fibers of swimwear. This rule applies even if you didn’t get in the water. Like underwear, swimsuits are intimate garments and must be washed after every wearing.
