5 ways to wash lace at home – including by hand, cold washing and mesh bags

Lace is a beautiful, soft and delicate fabric that is used both in decorating furnishings and clothing. But in order to maintain its structural integrity, lace requires careful washing and drying.

Laundry experts and cleaning professionals have revealed the techniques they use to effectively clean lace whilst also preventing irreversible damage, and how you can use these tips when laundering lace at home.

Here, they break down five ways you should wash lace at home as well as other useful laundry tips to protect this delicate fabric for years to come.

5 ways to wash lace at home

There are five key ways you can wash lace at home without ruining it, and these are detailed below so you can pick the right one for your item and laundry setup.

1. Wash by hand

Learning how to hand wash clothing will be time well spent as it is by far the safest method for lace, allowing you to maintain control over the delicate fibers and the temperatures used.

First, submerge your lace in cold water, mixed with a small amount of mild detergent such as baby shampoo, available at Walmart, and gently agitate.

Once done, avoid wringing the lace, as twisting the fabric can cause it to stretch and lose its shape. Instead, use a soft pressing motion.

‘One of the safest and gentlest ways to wash lace at home is by using baby shampoo,’ says cleaning specialist Rocky Vuong. ‘This method involves diluting a small amount of baby shampoo in warm water and swishing the lace garment around in the mixture for a few minutes.’

Make sure to use your hands instead of vigorously rubbing the fabric together, as this can cause damage. Once done, rinse with cold water and lay flat to air dry.

2. Pre-treat stains with cornstarch

‘I believe the first thing is to always pre-treat stains with cornstarch,’ says professional cleaner and organizer Jill Koch of Jill Comes Clean. ‘This method works well on both fresh and old stains, and it helps lift the stain without damaging the delicate lace fabric. Simply sprinkle a small amount of cornstarch onto the stained area and let it sit for about 30 minutes before washing.’

Organic cornstarch from Amazon is an often underutilized household cleaning agent and can be used on hard-to-remove stains around the home.

3. Use a mesh bag or silk pillowcase:

If machine washing is necessary, use a mesh laundry bag from Walmart to protect the lace from direct contact with other fabrics or rough surfaces. This helps prevent snags and stretching.

According to cleaning expert Robert Shapiro, placing them in mesh bags helped extend their lifespan and kept the fabric from tangling in the machine. Alternatively, if you do not have any mesh bags to hand, simply place your lace garments inside a clean silk pillowcase and tie it shut with a hair tie or rubber band. The smooth silk material will protect the lace from any rough agitation during the wash cycle. This method is especially helpful for lace lingerie or delicate lace dresses.

Once placed inside your mesh bag or pillowcase, set the machine on a delicate cycle with cold water and wash normally.

4. Use vinegar over bleach and harsh chemicals:

A white vinegar soak can be a useful option for lace that has yellowed or has stubborn stains. Mix equal parts white vinegar from Walmart and cold water, and let the lace soak for 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. The acidic properties of vinegar help break down stains without harsh chemicals, which can be especially important for heirloom lace pieces.

‘My best advice is to avoid using bleach or harsh chemicals when washing lace at home,’ says Daniel Brown, cleaning expert and CEO of Handy Cleaners. ‘These can cause discoloration and damage to the delicate fabric. Instead, opt for gentle detergents specifically made for delicate fabrics.’

Once you have washed and dried your lace item, keep it looking its best, and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This will help prevent any potential yellowing or discoloration over time.

5. Dry flat to avoid distortion

After washing, it's crucial to reshape lace and let it air dry on a flat surface. Try to remove excess water without wringing or twisting the fabric. This can damage and stretch the delicate lace. Instead, lay a clean towel on a flat surface and place the wet lace garment on top.

Vanessa Terra Bossart, professional home cleaner and owner of Green Terra Cleaning suggests that you gently roll up the towel with the lace inside, pressing lightly to absorb any excess water. Doing so will help the lace retain its shape and prevent any damage from occurring.

Avoid putting lace in the dryer. Instead use a drying rack. If you don't like the look of a dryer in your home, one of Solved team tried the Joseph Joseph indoor clothes airer and it's perfect for drying laundry in tiny spaces.

FAQ

How often should you wash lace?

Similar to other garment fabrics, the frequency you wash lace depends on how often its worn. You should wash lace at least every two weeks if you wear it fairly frequently.

Can you use bleach on lace?

In short yes, you can use bleach on lace however excessively using bleach can end up damaging the fibers in the fabric.

What temperature should you wash lace?

Due to its delicacy, lace should be washed on a low temperature, between 60 and 80° Fahrenheit, if on a machine wash, however hand-washing in cold water is preferred by our laundry and cleaning experts.

Meet our experts

Rocky Vuong

Serial entrepreneur in the cleaning industry. Founder and owner of Neatbrite cleaning services in Dallas, Texas as well as Calibre Cleaning, one of Australia's largest house cleaning companies.

Jill Koch

Jill Koch is a mom, wife, nurse, and former news reporter who never really lost the sharing side of reporting, and thus her blog, Jill Comes Clean' came into being. She loves to share all her home cleaning and organizing trials, tests and hacks, to help you keep your home as neat as a pin.

Robert Shapiro

Robert Shapiro is a Laundry Specialist and the General Manager at Milt & Edie's Dry Cleaners & Tailoring Center in Burbank, California. With more than a decade of experience, he specializes in dry cleaning, stain removal, tailoring, alterations, and green and eco-friendly cleaning processes. Robert has also been featured in publications such as Cleaner and Launderer Magazine.

Daniel Brown

Daniel is an U.S. based cleaning expert with years of experience in home maintenance and sanitation.

Next, learn about the mistakes you might be making if using laundry pods in your washer.