How to Wash and Care for Fishnet Lingerie

Fishnet lingerie is designed to stretch—but stretching is not the same as being indestructible. Its open loops can catch on rough surfaces, and the elastic fibres that help it return to shape can be weakened by heat, harsh products and aggressive washing.

Fortunately, fishnet care does not need to be complicated. A short hand wash, gentle water removal and snag-free storage are usually enough to keep a favourite piece looking its best.

This article provides detailed care instructions for fishnet. For help choosing among bodystockings, mini dresses, sets and other styles, begin with The Complete Guide to Fishnet Lingerie.

Always Check the Care Label First

Begin with the manufacturer's label or product instructions. Fishnet lingerie is commonly made from nylon and spandex, but a garment may also include lace, rhinestones, metal chains, elastic straps, glued decorations or other materials that change how it should be cleaned.

When the label is more restrictive than general advice, follow the label. “Hand wash only,” “do not bleach” and “do not tumble dry” are particularly common instructions for delicate lingerie.

What You Need

Keep the setup simple:

• A clean basin or sink

• Cool water

• A small amount of mild detergent suitable for delicates

• One or two clean towels

• A smooth lingerie bag or pouch for storage

Avoid bleach, fabric softener, strong stain removers and heavily fragranced or enzyme-based products unless the care label specifically permits them. More detergent does not make delicate lingerie cleaner; it makes thorough rinsing harder.

How to Hand Wash Fishnet Lingerie

1. Prepare the garment

Remove detachable accessories if the product instructions allow it. Fasten any hooks so they cannot catch the netting, and wash the fishnet separately from bras with exposed hooks, clothing with zippers or embellished pieces.

Check for existing snags before washing. Water and movement can worsen a pulled area if it is already under tension.

2. Fill the basin with cool water

Use cool—not hot—water. Heat can weaken or distort elastic fibres over time. Make sure the basin is clean and has no rough edges or residue from household cleaners.

3. Add a small amount of mild detergent

Mix the detergent into the water before adding the garment. Concentrated detergent poured directly onto delicate netting can be difficult to rinse and may affect colour or embellishments.

4. Submerge and move gently

Lower the garment into the water and gently move it through the solution. Do not scrub the netting against itself, stretch it across your hands or use a brush.

Pay extra attention to areas that touch the body, but use a light pressing motion rather than friction. A brief soak may help loosen ordinary body oils; avoid leaving coloured or embellished pieces soaking for a long time unless the label permits it.

5. Rinse thoroughly

Drain the wash water and refill the basin with clean, cool water. Gently move and press the garment until no detergent remains. Repeat if necessary.

Do not hold a wet bodystocking by one strap or narrow section. Wet fabric is heavier, and the concentrated weight can stretch the garment.

How to Remove Water Without Wringing

Wringing twists the knit and places uneven force on individual strands. Instead:

1. Support the entire garment as you lift it from the water.

2. Gently press it against the side of the basin without twisting.

3. Lay it flat on a clean towel.

4. Roll the towel loosely around the garment and press to absorb excess water.

Unroll it promptly. The goal is to remove dripping water, not to compress or stretch the fishnet.

How to Dry Fishnet Lingerie

Air drying is the safest choice. Reshape the garment gently and lay it flat on a dry towel or smooth drying surface, away from direct sunlight and heat.

If the care label allows hanging, support the garment across a smooth drying rack rather than suspending a heavy wet bodystocking from one shoulder strap. Avoid rough wooden surfaces, clips with sharp edges and anything that may leave the netting stretched in one direction.

Do not tumble dry. Heat can damage spandex, while tumbling creates friction and opportunities for the open knit to catch. Do not iron fishnet or place it directly on a radiator.

Can Fishnet Lingerie Go in the Washing Machine?

Hand washing is the safest recommendation for delicate fishnet lingerie. Even a gentle machine cycle creates more movement and friction than washing by hand.

If the care label expressly permits machine washing, place the garment by itself in a fully closed, fine-mesh lingerie bag. Fasten hooks, use cool water and select the gentlest cycle. Do not wash it with towels, denim, zippers, hook-and-eye bras or embellished clothing.

A lingerie bag reduces risk; it does not make every fishnet garment machine-safe. Pieces with large openings, rhinestones, delicate straps or glued details should generally remain hand-wash items.

How Often Should Fishnet Lingerie Be Washed?

Wash frequency depends on how the garment was worn, what touched the skin and the manufacturer's instructions. A piece worn directly against intimate areas should be washed after wearing. A fishnet layer worn briefly over clean underwear may not need the same treatment, but it should still be aired and checked before storage.

Avoid using fragrance sprays as a substitute for washing. They may leave residue, irritate skin or affect elastic and embellishments.

How to Store Fishnet Without Snags

Fishnet is often damaged in the drawer rather than during wear. A hook from another bra, an open zipper or a rhinestone edge can catch one loop and pull it out of shape.

Once the garment is completely dry:

• Fold it loosely rather than knotting or tightly rolling it.

• Place it in an individual smooth lingerie bag or pouch.

• Keep it away from hooks, zippers, jewellery and hook-and-loop fasteners.

• Avoid overcrowding the drawer, which can crush embellishments and tangle straps.

• Store coloured pieces away from direct sunlight.

For bodystockings, loosely align the legs and sleeves before folding. This makes the garment easier to identify and untangle the next time you wear it.

Preventing Snags While Dressing

Care begins before washing. Remove rings and bracelets, smooth rough nails and keep the garment away from splintered furniture or sharp packaging edges.

Gather long sections before putting them on, as you would with delicate hosiery. Use the pads of your fingers and spread pressure across several strands instead of pulling one diamond. Detailed dressing instructions are available in Fishnet Bodystockings: Styles, Fit & How to Wear Them.

What to Do When Fishnet Snags

Stop as soon as you notice the pull. Continuing to stretch the garment can enlarge the distorted opening.

Lay the piece flat and gently work the surrounding netting toward the snag from several directions. Sometimes the strand has shifted rather than broken, and redistributing the tension will make the pattern more even.

If a strand has broken, do not cut the loose end without securing it. A tiny hand stitch with matching thread may stabilize some breaks, but repairs are less visible in small netting than oversized fishnet. For a valuable or embellished garment, consider asking someone experienced with delicate knit repair.

Care for Embellished Fishnet

Rhinestones, chains, charms and decorative straps require extra caution:

• Turn the garment carefully so decorations do not rest against the net.

• Avoid soaking glued embellishments unless the label permits it.

• Do not scrub around stones or hardware.

• Dry the piece flat so heavy details do not stretch the fabric.

• Store it alone, with tissue or smooth fabric separating decorations from fishnet.

If an accessory is removable, detach it before washing and store it with the garment after both are completely dry.

Fishnet Care FAQ

Can I wash fishnet lingerie with regular laundry detergent?

A mild liquid detergent intended for delicates is safer. Strong detergents, powders that do not fully dissolve and products containing bleach or harsh enzymes may be too aggressive for elastic lingerie.

Can fishnet lingerie be tumble dried on low?

Air drying is preferable. Even low dryer heat and tumbling can weaken elastic, create friction and cause snags.

Should fishnet be hung or laid flat?

Laying it flat provides even support and is safest for most pieces. Follow the care label if it provides different instructions.

How do I stop fishnet from stretching out?

Avoid heat, wringing, hanging a wet garment from one narrow point and storing it under tension. Choose the correct fit so the netting is not overstretched during wear.

Can I use fabric softener?

It is best avoided unless the manufacturer specifically allows it. Fabric softener can leave residue and may affect the performance of elastic fibres.

A Little Care Preserves the Drama

The beauty of fishnet comes from its openness—and that same openness deserves gentle handling. Cool water, minimal friction, air drying and separate storage take only a little extra effort while helping the pattern and stretch last longer.

Ready to choose a new style? Explore the Peach Secrets Fishnet Lingerie Collection, curated for sensual confidence and delivered discreetly across Canada.