Good shapewear is an investment in how you feel — so it's worth keeping it in great shape. The magic ingredient in every piece is its stretch, and a few small habits protect that stretch so your favourites last far longer. 🤍
Hand-wash when you can. It's the gentlest option and honestly quick: cool or lukewarm water, a little mild detergent, a gentle swish for a few minutes, then rinse. Cool water matters — hot water breaks down the elastane (the stretchy fibre) that does all the smoothing.
Prefer the machine? Use a mesh laundry bag, a delicate/cold cycle, and mild detergent. The bag stops straps and hooks from snagging and tangling with everything else.
Skip the harsh stuff. No bleach, and no fabric softener — softener leaves a film that actually reduces elasticity over time. Gentle detergent is all you need.
Never wring it out. Twisting and wringing warps the fabric and stresses the fibres. Instead, gently press the water out, or roll it in a clean towel and press.
Always air-dry. This is the big one: keep shapewear out of the dryer. Tumble-dryer heat is the fastest way to kill the stretch and shorten its life. Lay it flat or hang it to dry, away from direct heat and harsh sun.
Wash it fairly often. Because it sits close to the skin, shapewear holds onto oils and sweat, which break down elastic faster. Washing it regularly (roughly after every wear or two) keeps it fresh and, surprisingly, helps it last.
None of this takes much effort — a couple of gentle habits, and the pieces you love keep smoothing and supporting you for a long time. 🤍