You invested in pieces that fit well and feel good, so it stings when they stretch out and lose their support after a few months. The good news is that most of that wear comes from how a piece is washed and dried — which means it is within your control.
Knowing how to wash shapewear the right way keeps the fabric springy, the fit secure, and your pieces working far longer.
Why Care Matters More Than You Think
Shapewear gets its support from fabric recovery — the ability of the fibers to stretch and snap back to shape. Hot water, harsh detergent, and machine drying break those fibers down faster than anything else, which is exactly when a piece starts to feel loose and stops staying in place. Gentle care protects the recovery that makes a piece work in the first place.
Many Jackie London pieces use a honeycomb-structured stretch fabric, engineered so the fabric's give moves naturally with your body throughout the day. High-compression pieces typically add a double layer of Powernet reinforcement with a full Lycra lining, which is what lets a piece hold both compression and softness at once. Caring for that fabric properly is what keeps those qualities intact.
This is the same fabric quality that keeps a garment from rolling and shifting during the day, which we cover in our piece on why shapewear rolls down. Treat the fabric well and it holds its shape and support. Treat it harshly and even the best piece gives up early.
Handle With Care While Dressing
A few habits protect the fabric before you even get to the wash. Remove rings and bracelets, and take care with long nails, when putting a piece on or taking it off — they can snag or pull delicate fabric. If a piece has lace trim or a silicone grip strip, use your fingertips rather than nails when adjusting it, and fold any silicone strips out of the way as you pull the piece up. For any shorts-style piece, make sure the seam between the legs sits centered, which helps the piece fit correctly and helps prevent damage over time.
The Simple Washing Routine
Hand washing is gentlest and takes only a few minutes. If you prefer the machine, a mesh laundry bag on a delicate, cold cycle is the next best option. Either way, the principles are the same: cool water, mild detergent, and no harsh chemicals.
Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water and a small amount of mild detergent.
Submerge the piece and gently swish it, letting it soak for a few minutes — not longer.
Rinse thoroughly with cool water until no soap remains.
Press the water out gently. Never wring or twist — this damages the fibers.
Skip fabric softener and bleach — both break down stretch fabric.
✓ A few more habits worth building in: Wash pieces separately from other laundry. Don't leave a piece soaking for an extended period — brief is best. Skip the iron entirely, as heat can damage stretch fabric and any structured elements.
Drying Without Damaging the Fabric
Drying is where most shapewear gets ruined. The dryer's heat is the single fastest way to wear out stretch fabric, so keep your pieces out of it entirely. Instead, lay the piece flat on a towel or hang it to air dry, away from direct heat and harsh sun — both of which weaken the fibers over time.
Lay flat drying is especially kind to structured pieces and bodysuits, since hanging a heavy wet garment can stretch it out of shape. A little patience here pays off in months of extra wear. The pieces in our seamless collection and across the wider shapewear range all last longest with this gentle approach.
Storing Shapewear So It Lasts
How you store pieces matters too, especially structured ones. Folding them flat in a drawer keeps their shape, while cramming them into a tight space or hanging heavier pieces by thin straps can distort the fabric over time. Give them room and they keep their form.
If you rotate a few pieces, storing them flat and separated keeps each one ready to wear. A little organization protects the fit you measured carefully for — which our size guide walks through choosing in the first place.
Care Notes by Construction
A few details are specific to how a piece is built. Here is a quick reference for common features across the collection.
Take straps off and wash them separately from the rest of the garment.
Follow the general routine above, and keep nails and sharp objects away from the lace — use your fingertips instead whenever you can.
Never leave a piece with hook closures soaking. If hand washing isn't an option, use a mesh laundry bag to protect both the piece and the rest of your laundry.
Avoid folding or twisting pieces with built-in boning, and keep them out of the washer and dryer entirely — machine movement can snap the boning over time. Skip brushes and sponges too, since they can damage the fabric that covers it.
Skip chlorine and bleach, keep brushes and sponges away from the fabric, and keep these pieces out of the washer and dryer. Avoid direct sun, which can degrade latex over time, and never iron — heat can cause damage that can't be undone.
Hand wash in warm water, and store bras without folding the cups so they keep their shape. Never leave a bra soaking — it can wear down the cups and cause metal hardware to oxidize. If traveling, use a bra travel case or gently fill the cups with socks to help them hold their shape in your bag.
A Note on Recovery and Postpartum Pieces
Recovery and postpartum pieces often get worn for long stretches and washed frequently, so gentle care matters even more for keeping them soft and supportive. The same routine applies: cool water, mild detergent, no wringing, and air drying away from heat.
Important: Always consult your doctor or surgeon before wearing shapewear or compression garments after surgery, childbirth, or any medical procedure. Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations regarding compression level, fit, wear time, and stage of recovery.
Our post-surgery compression basics guide covers comfort during recovery in more detail, and gentle care keeps those pieces feeling their best through every week you wear them.
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