Help your clothes last with a little TLC.

(That goes for your lace-trimmed bras, too.)

“They’ll lose their defined shape,” Sokolowski says.

Color clothes soak in powder detergent water dissolution. Laundry concept

Photo:Bowonpat Sakaew/Getty Images

Silk Clothing and Fabric

Whether you have a silk blouse or (lucky you!

“These fibers absorb water easily and lose their structure when wet,” Sokolowski says.

Here’s how Sokolowski recommends caring for your delicate items.

“Hot water can often cause shrinking or damage to delicate fibers,” Sokolowski says.

But really, you want to clean the items as gently as possible.

What Could Happen if You Put Hand-Wash-Only Fabrics in the Washing Machine?

You’re taking a gamble when you run hand-wash-only items through even a gentle cycle, says Sokolowski.