Back in high school, there was a story that was passed down through 'generations', of a lady called Ochi White. She was a white lady, married to the school bursar, whose name was Ochola. Ochi White's house was right next to the fourth form classroom block. We had large, wall-to-wall windows. And every Friday, fourth formers were the unfortunate victims to the view of Ochi White's weekly wash of underwear; all white, extra large, perfectly pegged at the waistband, to dry in the hot Kenyan sun. Probably getting a good sun bleach too. How apt, that she was white and all her panties were also very VERY white.
Would you proudly hang out your undies for public scrutiny? Probably not... And it's not because they're dirty, but it's because of how over time they have now faded, sagged and maybe even shredded from rough handling during wash day (which is everyday for most of us). So how should you was your panties?
Cotton: This is mostly common for children underwear and granny panties, because they are soft and absorbent, which is good for warm days. I have a couple from my post-natal days...REAL GRANNY PANTIES!!! Cotton knickers can fade easily from frequent washing. Actually by the third wash, they start to look old. To preserve the colour, you may soak in warm salty water then simply wash gently with panga soap or a gentle detergent and dry in the shade.Stretch Cotton: This is another frequently worn fabric. Because of the elasticity infused in the cotton, they are prone to over-stretching and sagging after weeks of washing. Use the same method as cotton to preserve colour and avoid wringing it to remove excess water as the elasticity is often quite delicate.
Nylon: This may not be a favourite for many, but in my opinion, they are the best for those "rolling" days as they don't stain. Also, their colour or prints usually do not easily fade even after months of use. Thirdly, they are the easiest to wash, like regular clothes, just as long as you avoid hot water.
Lace: Lace undies are the most delicate. For the best preservation, soak in warm water (under 30 degrees) for a few minutes. Use a mild soap. Rub gently with your fingers, and don't knead within your fists as you do when washing regular clothes.
As a general precaution for all types:
- Avoid wringing as this spoils the elastic infused in the fabric and in the waistband. Instead, lay it on a towel to drain excess water or squeeze inside a folded towel
- Wash in cold to luke warm water - again to preserve elasticity
- Dry in a shade to preserve colours
- Lay out on a dry surface if you can, as opposed to hanging on a line, to avoid sagging or stretching
- Avoid hot water or heat as it destroys elasticity and fixes blood or protein stains, making them permanent rather than getting rid of them
- Do NOT iron
Most of us hand wash our undies daily, just before or after the shower. This is perfect because we won't be tempted to wash them all together, mixing the colours and methods of laundry. I know, I do love my panties but do I really care about preservation? Not at all, as long I know it's clean. If the colour runs, then there was too much of it anyway. And there's no way I'm going to touch cold water after a hot shower just to preserve my undies. They're getting a hot wash too!
Thankfully, I haven't exposed too much about my tighty-whities, but I feel the urge to advise my fellow ladies. Please DO NOT buy second hand knickers, even if they are the latest line of Victoria's Secret. I do not want to write a post about the microbes that thrive on mtush undies...that's just nasty!
Read more articles here
Like us at Tulip Facebook
Tulip Cleaning Website
Follow us on Twitter @tulip_ke
No comments:
Post a Comment