The Ultimate Care & Material Guide: How to Wash, Dry, and Store Your Melissa Underwear

Great underwear should feel soft on day one—and still feel soft after dozens of wears. That’s why Melissa starts with considered materials and certified safety, then designs for real life: breathability, gentle support, and durability. On our Care & Material page, you’ll find the fabrics we rely on—organic cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell, Modal, recycled polyamide (nylon), mulberry silk, and spandex—chosen for comfort, performance, and responsibility.

This guide turns that fabric list into everyday care: how to wash, dry, store, fix common issues, and make pieces last longer—at home and on the go. Keep it handy for families and for retailers advising customers.

Why care matters (and how materials help):

Melissa uses soft, breathable textiles—organic cotton for gentle everyday wear; TENCEL™ Lyocell for silky feel and moisture management; Modal for lightness and shape retention; recycled polyamide for strength and quick-dry performance; mulberry silk for premium smoothness; and a touch of spandex to keep shape and freedom of movement. Many of these fabrics are offered with OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification—meaning they’ve been tested for harmful substances and verified safe for sensitive skin.

Bottom line: when you combine safe, high-performing fibers with smart care, you reduce returns, extend garment life, and keep comfort consistent.

Core washing principles (the “always” list)

These universal rules work across most Melissa pieces and are the fastest way to preserve softness and fit:

Use cold or low-temperature water on a gentle cycle (or hand-wash). Lower temps protect color, elasticity, and hand-feel.
Choose a mild detergent; avoid bleach. Harsh chemistry can weaken natural fibers and elastics.
Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets—they coat elastic fibers (spandex) and reduce recovery.
Wash in a mesh bag to prevent friction and snags with zippers, hooks, or rough textiles.
Air-dry flat or on a rack. Heat is the enemy of elastane; high dryer temps shorten life and can harden hand-feel.
If a specific product page includes special directions, follow those first.

Fabric-by-fabric care:

Organic Cotton (everyday softness)

Wash: Cold, gentle cycle or hand-wash with mild detergent.
Dry: Air-dry; if you must machine-dry, use low heat.
Notes: Turning garments inside-out reduces surface abrasion and color fading.

TENCEL™ Lyocell (silky, breathable, moisture-wise)

Wash: Prefer hand-wash or a delicate cycle in cold water; always use a mesh bag in the machine.
Dry: Do not wring; press water out gently and air-dry. Avoid tumble-drying to protect drape and surface smoothness.
Notes: TENCEL™ is derived from responsibly sourced wood and known for long-lasting softness.

Modal (light, resilient, and shape-keeping)

Wash: Cold, gentle cycle with regular mild detergent.
Dry: Low heat is technically acceptable, but air-drying preserves softness best.
Notes: Modal resists shrinkage better than many rayons; still, avoid high heat for longevity.

Recycled Polyamide / Nylon (strong, quick-dry, active-friendly)

Wash: Cold, gentle cycle; mesh bag helps reduce pilling.
Dry: Air-dry; synthetics can become brittle with repeated high heat.
Notes: Expect quick drying and excellent resilience—ideal for active days.

Mulberry Silk (premium, hypoallergenic smoothness)

Wash: Hand-wash in cool water using a pH-neutral delicate detergent.
Dry: Do not wring; roll gently in a towel to remove excess water, then air-dry away from direct sun.
Notes: Steam or low-heat press inside-out if needed; avoid chlorine bleach and harsh pre-treaters.

Spandex / Elastane (the stretch engine)

Wash: Cold water; avoid chlorine bleach.
Never use fabric softener or dryer sheets; residues cling to elastane and weaken recovery.
Dry: Air-dry to protect stretch.

Stain strategy (gentle, fast, effective):

Act quickly. Rinse the spot with cool water as soon as possible—heat can set stains.
Pre-treat lightly. Use a mild, enzyme-based stain solution on the spot; avoid scrubbing silk or TENCEL™ (blot instead).
Blood/sweat: Cool water + enzyme pre-treat; avoid hot water until the stain lifts.
Deodorant/white marks: A damp cloth with a small amount of mild detergent; rinse and air-dry.
Sunscreen/oil: Sprinkle a little liquid detergent or gentle dish soap on the spot; massage lightly, then wash cool.
Silk exception: Always blot; never rub vigorously. Test any product on an inside seam first.

Drying & finishing (keep softness, avoid stress):

Air-dry by default. Lay flat on a rack or hang from the gusset/band to maintain shape.
Shade is your friend. Direct sun can yellow or weaken delicate fibers (especially silk).
If you must tumble-dry: Choose low or no heat, shortest cycle; remove while slightly damp and finish by air.
Steam over iron. A handheld steamer or bathroom steam relaxes creases without crushing elastic. For silk, use low heat on the reverse if needed.

Storage that extends life

Daily drawer routine

Fold, don’t crush. Nest cups or fold bands gently; avoid tight compression that stresses elastane.
Segment by stage/use. Keep First Bloom (ultra-light) together, Growing Grace (stay-put) together, and Confident Bloom (polished support) together so you grab the right feel for the day.
Breathable space. Avoid stuffed drawers; fabrics need air to recover between wears.

Long-term & seasonal

Cool, dry, dark. Heat and light age elastic and silk. Store away from radiators and windows.
Avoid vacuum compression for elastic-rich items; it strains fibers over weeks/months.
Travel tip: Use a soft pouch or a separate mesh bag; pack on top to prevent crushing.

Troubleshooting: quick fixes for common issues:

Band feels tighter after a few months

Re-measure underbust; switch to the next band size or choose a style with a slightly wider band. Review wash routine—heat or softener may have reduced recovery.

Straps slip during movement

Adjust evenly; if slipping persists, try a style with closer strap placement or move from First Bloom to Growing Grace for a touch more hold.

Surface pilling (especially on synthetics)

Wash in a mesh bag; reduce friction with rough fabrics; turn the item inside out; air-dry. Lightly depill with a fabric comb if needed.

Color looks dull

Cold wash, inside out, with mild detergent. Avoid softeners and high heat—both can leave residues that flatten color and hand-feel.

Silk lost sheen

Re-wash in cool water with a neutral detergent; air-dry away from sun, then steam lightly from the reverse.

Retail & wholesale corner: coaching your customers:

If you’re a retailer or school partner, make care part of the sale:

Stage signage. Merchandising by stage (First Bloom / Growing Grace / Confident Bloom) helps families self-select and reduces returns. (These stages and material choices are highlighted on Melissa’s Care & Material page.)
One-card care insert. A simple “wash cold, mild detergent, no softener, air-dry” card in the bag boosts satisfaction.
Fabric-forward training. Brief your team on what makes each fiber special (e.g., TENCEL™ = silky, breathable; Modal = soft + resilient; recycled nylon = strong + quick-dry).

Responsible quality: certifications & transparency:

Melissa emphasises fabrics that are safe for sensitive skin and made with responsibility in mind. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 means textiles are tested for harmful substances—a clear, global benchmark families can understand. Pair that assurance with correct care, and garments stay comfortable longer with fewer replacements.

Quick reference: do’s & don’ts

Wash cool, gentle cycle or hand-wash
Use a mild detergent
Bag delicates in a mesh laundry pouch
Air-dry in shade; steam to finish
Store folded, uncompressed, in a cool, dry place

Don’t

Don’t use chlorine bleach or fabric softener (especially with spandex)
Don’t wring silk or lyocell; press water out, then air-dry
Don’t tumble-dry hot
Don’t over-pack drawers or compress for long periods

Frequently asked questions:

Can I wash underwear with the rest of my laundry?
Yes—if you use a mesh bag, cold water, and a gentle cycle. Separate from heavy or rough items (such as jeans and hoodies with zippers) to reduce abrasion.

Is fabric softener okay if items feel rough?
No. Fabric softeners coat the elastic, reduce recovery, and can trap odour. Use a gentle detergent and air-dry instead; steam to restore softness.

How often should we wash?
Underwear should be washed after each wear. For bras, some families rotate them every 1–2 wears, depending on the activity and climate—airing them out between wears.

Can I tumble-dry in a rush?
If you must, use low or no heat and remove while damp; finish by air. Avoid heat for silk and lyocell.

What makes Melissa’s fabrics “safe” for sensitive skin?
In addition to carefully selecting materials (organic cotton, TENCEL™, Modal, recycled nylon, silk, and spandex), Melissa utilises fabrics that can carry the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification—tested for harmful substances —to provide added peace of mind.

Underwear Care & Material Guide — Wash, Dry, Store