Taking care of lingerie: top tips

The correct underwear can totally alter your shape, make you appear slimmer, improve your posture and - it goes without saying - give you a confidence boost. To get the best you'll need to pay a little bit more so you want to look after it. We asked the experts at Gossard for their top five tips on taking care of lingerie. The answers were very revealing ...

1. Generally, all lingerie should be handwashed in cool water using a mild liquid detergent.

2. If the garment label confirms the garments are suitable for machine washing, then use a netted lingerie wash bag. Make sure hooks and eyes are fastened to avoid tangling. Use a delicate cycle, a mild detergent and, as always, ensure you put your dark and light colours into separate washes.

3. Bras do not necessarily need to be washed daily, but try not to wear the same bra two days in a row - allow the fabric to 'rest' between wears. Wearing a bra on consecutive days will cause the garment to stretch out of shape quickly.

4. Tumble drying lingerie should be avoided, as should ironing. Do not wring garments out, they'll become misshapen. Dry bras flat or drip dry.

5. Most lingerie is delicate, so the golden rule is to follow the manufacturer's care instructions.