Caring For Your Corset
To ensure your corsets stays beautiful and lasts as long as possible, proper care must be practised. Below are some tips on how to extend the life of your corset, and enjoy wearing it to the fullest extent.
It is a good idea to wear some kind of garment made of natural fibres under your corset to absorb perspiration. This helps to keep your corset fresh, dry, and free of staining. However, if no garment is to be worn underneath or if the corset has absorbed a lot of perspiration after extended wear or vigorous activity, simply take a damp cloth and gently wipe the lining of the corset to keep it smelling fresh, hanging the open corset over the back of a chair allowing it to air out.
It is important to remember never to wash your corset! The hardware used inside your corset is steel and washing the corset could cause it to rust. If cleaning is absolutely necessary, as in the case of a stain, take your corset to a trusted dry cleaner who specializes in delicates. Although it may seem like common sense, storing your corset in a cool, dry place will also protect the fabric and hardware. Always loosen the lacing at the back of the corset before attempting manipulate the busk, and the same rule applies when taking it off. Failure to loosen the laces may result in a damaged busk or boning. Bending over, slouching or hunching can also cause the busk or bones to permanently kink, which will distort the garment. Try to remember to put your shoes on first if possible, and to bend at the hips instead of the waist. Your corset is designed to provide excellent support, but it isn’t designed to do all the work of a back brace. Maintaining good posture with the aid of your corset will keep the bones of the corset (and your body) in good shape.
Now that your laces are nice and slack, it’s easiest to choose a hook/knob second from the top or second from the bottom of the busk to start with. Manipulate the busk until all the hooks are fastened on the knobs securely. Not everyone finds this part easy at first; practice makes perfect! Your corset is laced with puller loops at the waist line and they function a little differently than some other lacing methods. You’ll want to work from top to middle and bottom to middle, pulling on the “x”s where the laces cross and taking up the slack in the puller loops. The bottom of the loop will tighten the upper half of the corset, and the top of the loop will tighten the lower half. Fasten your laces much the way you would tie your shoes, and even out the bow so all loops are the same size. Double knots are a no-no for safety reasons, and wrapping the lacing around the waist is strongly discouraged to avoid unnecessary wear on your corset's lovely outer fabric.
If you ordered satin ribbon lacing with your corset, it may look deceptively dainty, but rest assured that it is as strong as it is pretty. If the lacing wears out, which is apt to happen after a lot of wear, the lacing is easily replaced at any fabric or trim store that supplies quality satin ribbon. Just be conscious of how your corset is laced before pulling the original lacing out. Eat light meals and go slowly! Meals that are heavy in simple carbohydrates, like junk food, carbonated beverages, and even alcohol can make it uncomfortable to stay laced. Salads, veggies, lean protein and water will keep you feeling good in your corset. You may find you need to eat smaller meals more frequently, and it's always good to try out a new routine when you'll have access to the snacks and meals you like. Also, it is our advice to start lacing up gradually, some time before you wear your corset out each time. Lace an inch or two at first and then go about your daily routine, then try to lace more. Repeat until your corset is as snug as you desire it. Lacing all in one go can cause discomfort, and unattractive side effects such as burpiness, a most undesirable consequence. If something doesn't feel quite right, loosen up immediately; listen to your body at all times! It is also a good idea to give your corset some time to mould to your body at first, much the way you would gradually break in a fine new pair of shoes. Allow the fabric to warm to your body, and adapt to your shape. If you're new to corsetry or are trying a new silhoette you're unused to, give your body time to adjust to being corsetted. Remember, everyone's experience varies.
Like all garments, each corset has a lifespan. Treat your corset lovingly and it will hug you back for a long time to come.
Happy Lacing!