Bodysuit Care: How to Keep Yours Looking New

Quick answer

Wash bodysuits inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle, then lay them flat to dry. Use a mesh laundry bag to protect straps and press studs. For Tencel Modal and organic cotton, skip the dryer and avoid fabric softener to keep the fabric soft and the fit true.

A bodysuit is one of the hardest-working pieces in your wardrobe. It layers under everything, moves with you, and still needs to look smooth. But the same close fit that makes it flattering also means it gets washed more often and wears faster if you treat it like a regular T-shirt.

The good news is that bodysuit care is not complicated. A few consistent habits, from how you sort your laundry to how you dry, will keep the fabric soft, the colour rich, and the shape intact. This guide walks through the process step by step, with notes for the two most common fabric types you will find in a NICO bodysuit: Tencel Modal and plant-dyed organic cotton.

Start with the label and the fabric

Before you wash any bodysuit, check the care label. Most bodysuits are made from soft, stretchy blends that do best in cold water and low agitation. Tencel Modal, for example, is a sustainably sourced fibre that feels luxuriously soft but can pill or lose shape if exposed to high heat. Organic cotton is more forgiving but still benefits from gentle handling to prevent shrinkage and fading.

If the label says hand wash or dry clean, follow it. If it says machine wash cold, you can still protect the garment by using a mesh bag and a gentle cycle. The goal is to clean the fabric without stressing the fibres or the seams.

• Check for a care label inside the side seam or near the hem.
• When in doubt, treat the bodysuit as delicate.

Pre-treat stains and close all fastenings

Bodysuits are prone to two types of stains: deodorant marks around the underarms and lotion or oil marks around the neckline and leg openings. Pre-treat these before washing by dabbing a small amount of gentle liquid detergent directly onto the stain and letting it sit for five to ten minutes. Do not rub aggressively, as this can stretch the fabric.

Close any press studs or hooks before washing. On a bodysuit with snap closures, like a singlet onesie, open studs can snag other garments or get bent in the wash. Closing them keeps the hardware protected and prevents the fabric from twisting around the closures.

• Use a soft-bristle toothbrush for stubborn stains on cotton, but skip it on Modal.
• Never use chlorine bleach on Tencel Modal or plant-dyed cotton.

Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle

Cold water is the single most important setting for bodysuit washing tips. Heat breaks down elastic fibres, causes shrinkage, and fades dyes. Set your machine to a delicate or hand-wash cycle with a low spin speed. If your machine has a mesh bag, use it. It keeps straps from wrapping around the agitator and reduces friction on the fabric surface.

Use a small amount of mild liquid detergent. Powder detergents can leave residue on dark fabrics, and fabric softener coats the fibres, which reduces breathability and can trap odour. For Tencel Modal, a detergent formulated for delicates is a good choice. For organic cotton, any gentle, dye-free detergent works well.

• Wash bodysuits with similar colours and similar fabric weights.
• Skip the fabric softener and use wool dryer balls if you tumble dry on low.

Skip the dryer and lay flat to dry

The dryer is the fastest way to ruin a bodysuit. High heat shrinks cotton, damages Modal, and weakens the elastic around leg openings and straps. Instead, gently squeeze excess water out of the garment without wringing it. Lay it flat on a clean towel or a drying rack, smoothing out any wrinkles with your hands.

If you must use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting and remove the bodysuit while it is still slightly damp. Hang it to finish drying. This reduces the risk of shrinkage and helps the fabric retain its original shape. For bodysuits with a defined fit, like a lounge playsuit, air drying is always the safer choice.

• Dry bodysuits away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.
• Hang by the straps or lay flat; never hang by the snap closure.

Store folded, not hung

Once your bodysuit is completely dry, store it folded in a drawer rather than hanging it on a hanger. Hanging stretches the shoulders and straps over time, especially on heavier fabrics like organic cotton. Folding also saves space and keeps the garment ready to wear without extra ironing.

If you need to iron a bodysuit, use the lowest heat setting and press on the reverse side. For Tencel Modal, a steamer is gentler than an iron. Avoid pressing directly on any prints or embellishments. Proper storage is a simple bodysuit maintenance habit that pays off every time you put it on.

• Fold bodysuits in thirds and stack them vertically in a drawer.
• Use a padded hanger only if you must hang, and never hang by the straps.

Your step-by-step bodysuit care routine

1. Check the label and sort by fabric: Read the care label before washing. Separate Tencel Modal from heavier cotton items to prevent friction and pilling. If the label says hand wash, do that. Checkpoint: If you are unsure about the fabric, wash it alone on a delicate cycle.
2. Pre-treat stains and close fastenings: Dab gentle detergent on underarm and neckline stains. Close all press studs and hooks to protect the hardware and prevent snags. Mistake to avoid: Rubbing stains vigorously, which stretches the fabric.
3. Wash cold on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag: Use cold water, mild liquid detergent, and a low spin speed. Place bodysuits in a mesh laundry bag to protect straps and seams. Checkpoint: No fabric softener. It coats fibres and reduces breathability.
4. Lay flat to dry away from direct heat: Gently squeeze out water without wringing. Lay the bodysuit flat on a towel or drying rack, smoothing wrinkles by hand. Mistake to avoid: Tumble drying on high heat, which shrinks cotton and damages Modal.
5. Store folded and iron on low if needed: Fold bodysuits in a drawer rather than hanging them. If ironing, use the lowest heat and press on the reverse side. Steam Modal instead of ironing. Final check: Your bodysuit should feel soft, look smooth, and hold its shape.

Fabric facts that affect how you wash

• Last Chance Ramona Lounge Playsuit: Made from Tencel Modal, a fibre known for softness and sophistication in minimalist apparel. Tencel Modal needs cold water and air drying to stay soft and keep its shape. High heat will damage the fibres, so treat this playsuit as a delicate.
• 3 Pack of Singlet Onesies: Includes three singlet onesies with a boxy tank style, extended vintage rib crew neck, and three brass press studs at the base. Colours are derived from natural sources like vembadam tree bark, tacoma flowers, and turmeric with sea shell. The press studs can snag or bend in the wash, so close them before laundering. Plant-derived dyes are more sensitive to heat and harsh detergents, so wash in cold water and avoid bleach.
• Organic High Waisted Brief - Chocolate: Crafted from plant-dyed organic cotton with clever panelling and shaping for a full coverage brief. Organic cotton is durable but can shrink in high heat. Wash cold and lay flat to dry to preserve the fit and the plant-dyed colour.

A bodysuit that is washed and stored with a little care will stay soft, keep its colour, and fit the way it did on day one. Cold water, gentle detergent, and air drying are the three habits that matter most. Follow the steps above, and your favourite bodysuits will look new for longer.