Product Care
LINGERIE CARE
Hand Washing
Hand washing is the gentlest way to care for your lingerie. Machine washing can shrink the fabric, misshape the wires and cause them to push through the fabric; as well as cause other damage. We recommend washing non-wired bras by hand. Even though there are no underwires to break or bend, you still want to protect the delicate fabrics, colours, hooks and eyes.
Cool water with a light detergent is best, as hot water can damage delicate fabrics. Our range of Eucalan Delicates Wash has revolutionised the way all of us at The Fitting Room care for our lingerie. Have a look at the different scents available, and we encourage you to give them a try!
Machine Washing
If you must use the machine, wash at 30°C or less, on a delicate cycle, and do up the hooks to prevent them from catching. Always place your lingerie in a lingerie wash bag. If the care label says not to use a washing machine, doing so voids the warranty regardless of any issue. This includes fabric melting - commonly seen with front-loaders, where wires get stuck and overheat.
Drying
When you take moulded cup bras out of the wash, reshape the cups with your hands. Don't wring or stretch your lingerie. Do not tumble dry, as the hot temperatures and movement are hard on the fabrics and colours, and risky for underwires. Dry your lingerie in the shade, and avoid direct sunlight. Do not iron.
Putting your Bras on
Bras can be damaged by how you put them on. The best way to put a bra on is to put both arms through the straps, fit your breasts into the cups while holding the bra under, then stand up straight, and do your bra up at the back. Other methods can cause premature stretching of the band and straps or twist the underwires. For example, doing bras up at your waist, then ‘flipping’ them up the right way, can cause the wires to become misshapen. We know that many women find it difficult to put on bras in the recommended way. However, if you can, it will prolong their life.
Storing your Bras
Moulded cup bras will pucker and crease if squished or twisted. Push the cups out and place the bras inside each other - they will sit beautifully inside a drawer and keep their shape for a very long time.
How to care for your Shapewear
- Cold or warm hand wash (see product tag).
- Wash colours separately.
- Hang or lay flat in the shade to dry.
- No tumble drying.
- Do not iron.
- Do not bleach.
- Do not dry clean.
SWIMWEAR CARE
Rinsing
The first step to caring for your swimsuit is THE most important. Rinse it as soon as possible after use in cold tap water or under the shower. The key is to rid the swimsuit of chemicals and substances that can cause it to break down. These include chlorine, perspiration, sunscreen, tanning lotion, sand, and salt water. Even if you have been sunbathing, it is still recommended to rinse your swimsuit afterwards as body oils, lotions, sunscreen and sand can damage the materials' elasticity.
Hand Washing
Most manufacturers will recommend hand washing. Our Eucalan Delicates Wash is great for this! Don't wring or twist a swimsuit when washing. However, you may need a stronger detergent due to sunscreen or chemical build-up.
Machine Washing
If you do need to wash your swimsuit in a machine, use a wash bag and a gentle cycle with cold water, 30°C or less. Remember, if your item is damaged due to being washed in the machine, it is not covered under warranty.
Sunscreen stains on your Swimwear?
The best way to avoid sunscreen stains on swimwear is to let the lotion absorb completely into your skin before getting dressed. If you do get a stain, here are two tips that may help remove it.
Baking soda - sprinkle a generous amount directly onto the stain, and let it sit for one or two hours before handwashing as usual.
Vinegar - dilute one-part white vinegar in three-parts warm water, and soak the stain. You should also be able to apply white vinegar directly to the stain (without diluting) if it’s a particularly bad stain. After soaking, hand-wash as usual.
Drying
- Do not wring out your swimsuit.
- Dry it flat in a shaded area outside or a ventilated area indoors.
- Never put a swimsuit in a dryer.
Extra Tips
- Do not dry clean, iron or bleach.
- Make sure a swimsuit is 100% dry before storing it. Store flat, rather than hanging up.
- If you find there are granules of sand left in the swimsuit after washing, wait until it is dry, and gently stretch the fabric over your fingernails. This will 'flick out' the sand grains.
- Sitting in a spa pool with hot, chemically treated water is the harshest environment for your swimsuit. For this reason, you may wish to keep your favourite swimsuit out of the spa.
PROSTHESIS CARE
- When not in use, store your breast form correctly in its case. This will protect it and help retain its shape.
- Wash your breast form by hand using soap and warm water, or take it into the shower. Liquid soap is handy and easy to use.
- Pat dry with a soft towel. Your prosthesis is ready to wear or return it to the original box immediately after drying.
- Chlorinated water, salt water or sunscreen are not damaging, but aggressive cleaning agents and solvents will cause damage.
- Keep away from pointed or sharp objects (such as pins, brooches, thorns or animal claws). These can irreparably damage the film.
- Be careful with your rings when moving the prosthesis around inside a garment, particularly raised claw-set rings.
- Booklets inside the case contain specific information from the manufacturer regarding caring for your specific type of breast form. Other relevant recommendations will be spoken about in person.
Additional care tips for Adhesive Prostheses
- Do not use fabric or paper towels to dry your breast form. These will leave a residue on the adhesive surfaces.
- Neutral liquid soap (without silicone) is good for washing the prosthesis.
