I thought it would be a good idea to create a blog series answering some of the most frequently asked questions I receive about my boudoir sessions.  It’s always important for you to ask any questions you have, and it’s equally important that I answer those questions.

First up in the series….

How Do I Clean the 400 Piece Lingerie Collection at My Boudoir Studio

As the owner of a boudoir studio, I have a collection of 400 pieces of lingerie that clients can use for photoshoots. Keeping the collection clean and well-maintained is crucial for the success of my business. A common question I am asked is how I clean the items that are used during photo shoots.

I’ll explain what I do in this post, but it’s important for me to tell you that I treat the cleanliness as I wish a photographer would if I was a client.

I clean each used piece FOUR TIMES BY HAND before it’s put back on the rack!

Here’s how I do it:

Sorting and Prepping

Before I begin cleaning, I sort the lingerie into piles based on their color and fabric type. This helps me to choose the right cleaning method for each piece. Some of the fabrics of the pieces are very delicate so some need to be treated with extra care.  Also, I need to sort by color as some of the dyes from the fabrics can bleed into other colors (I learned this the hard way at the beginning of my wardrobe collection).

I also check for any damage or stains that need to be treated before washing.  I do decide that some pieces have served their purpose and should be discarded.

Hand Washing

There is no machine washing used on my items.  First comes the hot soak of the items – I let them soak for about 20 minutes.

I had wash everything, four times!   I use a gentle, sensitive detergent and lukewarm water to wash each piece individually. I avoid using fabric softeners or bleach, as they can damage the delicate fabrics.

The most unglamorous part of being a boudoir photographer is scrubbing the “crotch” of outfits!  But, I take it very seriously!

The soak and washing process is repeated four times.

Drying

I never put lingerie in the dryer, as the high heat can damage the fabrics and elastic. Instead, I hang each piece to air dry. I avoid hanging lingerie by the straps, as this can cause them to stretch out of shape. Instead, I hang them by the center front or back.

Storage

Once the lingerie is dry, it is put back on the wardrobe collection rack. I avoid folding it, as this can cause creases and wrinkles. Instead, I hang each piece on a hanger or store it in a drawer.

By following these steps, I am able to keep my 400 piece lingerie collection clean, well-maintained, and ready for use in my boudoir studio.