How to Wash Modal Underwear So It Stays Soft Longer
By NATV Basics | Australian Favourite, Comfortable Underwear | Published: 2026-10-17
Category: How-to Guides
Learn the best way to wash modal underwear to keep it soft, stretchy, and smooth. Simple steps for gentle care and longer-lasting comfort.
Quick Answer
Wash modal underwear in cool or lukewarm water on a gentle cycle, using a mild detergent. Skip fabric softener and air-dry flat to preserve the softness and stretch. Avoid hot water, bleach, and high heat drying.
Why Modal Needs Special Care
Modal is a semi-synthetic fabric made from beech tree pulp. It's prized for its silky softness and breathability, but it can lose its shape or become rough if washed aggressively. The fibers are more delicate than cotton, so a gentle approach keeps them smooth and stretchy for years.
Step-by-Step Washing Guide
- Check the Care Label: Look for the manufacturer's instructions on the tag. Most modal underwear, including NATV Basics' Cheeky Modal G-String, recommends a gentle machine wash in cool or lukewarm water. Common mistake: ignoring the label and using hot water, which can shrink or weaken modal fibers.
- Turn Inside Out and Use a Laundry Bag: Turn each pair inside out to protect the outer fabric and reduce friction. Place them in a mesh laundry bag to prevent snagging on zippers or hooks. Checkpoint: if you skip the bag, delicate seams may catch and stretch out of shape.
- Select a Gentle Cycle With Cold or Lukewarm Water: Set your machine to a delicate or hand-wash cycle with cold (below 30°C / 86°F) or lukewarm water. Hot water can break down the Lenzing™ Modal fibers and cause pilling. Common mistake: using hot water thinking it cleans better — it actually shortens the fabric's lifespan.
- Use a Mild, Liquid Detergent: Pour a small amount of mild liquid detergent (like one designed for delicates or wool). Avoid powder detergents that may not dissolve fully, and skip bleach or fabric softener entirely. Fabric softener coats modal fibers, reducing breathability and making them feel less soft over time.
- Air-Dry Flat, Never Tumble Dry: After the wash cycle ends, remove the underwear from the bag and lay them flat on a clean towel or drying rack. Reshape gently while damp. Do not wring or twist, and never put them in a dryer. Checkpoint: high heat from a dryer can shrink modal and ruin the elastic waistband. Air drying keeps the fit and feel intact.
Products That Benefit From This Care
- Cheeky Modal G-String Underwear 4 Pack - Blue: Putting the OG in G string, this cheeky little number is our best seller for a reason. Minimal G String cut = maximum confidence. Semi-seamless for a no-lines finish under anything. Luxe Lenzing™ Modal, blended with Polyamide and Elastane. The Lenzing™ Modal blend is what gives this G-string its signature softness. Proper washing keeps the semi-seamless edges smooth and the waistband elastic from digging or slipping.
