Key Takeaways
- Follow your garment’s care label and use gentle hand or machine washing methods to preserve the compression and elasticity. Be sure to check your garments for holes or tears before each use.
- Hand wash and dry in the shade, or machine wash in cool or cold water on a gently cycle in a mesh bag, and stay away from hot water, bleach, and fabric softeners that eat up elastic fibers.
- Rinse well, roll in towel to remove excess water – DO NOT WRING – reshape while damp and lay flat to dry away from direct heat or sun.
- We recommend washing garments after each or every other day of use, rotating 2 – 3 garments at a time to let them dry thoroughly and keep an eye out for stains, odors or compression loss.
- Opt for gentle, hypoallergenic detergents for delicates, use sparing amounts, and always patch test new detergents.
- Swap out garments that have become stretched, thinned, retain an odor, or have lost compression to promote healing and minimize the risk of complications.
Liposuction garment washing tips are how to keep compression wear fresh and effective post-surgery. Washing right maintains elasticity that minimizes infection risk and helps the garment conform properly during healing.
Use mild detergent and cold water for washing. A gentle hand wash or delicate machine cycle is recommended to preserve the garment’s integrity.
After washing, air dry the garment flat away from heat sources. Avoid using bleach or fabric softener, as these can damage the material.
Always follow surgeon or manufacturer care labels for best results. This will help extend the life of the garment and ensure it continues to provide the necessary support during recovery.
Washing Method
Care label instructions come first — they are customized to the fabric and construction and minimize the chance of losing compression or voiding a warranty. Right washing retains elasticity, cleanliness and the garment’s healing ability. Here are full instructions and choices for everyday care, stain removal, and washing inserts so clothes remain functional and long-lasting.
1. Preparation
Take off bandages and silicone sheets and any foam or fabric inserts before washing. Check garments for visible blood, serous fluid, or stains and pre-treat spots with a mild cleanser. For stubborn marks, pre-soak with a 1:1 mix of hydrogen peroxide and water for a brief period, then rinse.
Turn garments inside out – this will help protect outer textures and seams that receive the most wear. Collect 2-3 items of clothing to cycle, washing every other day so one is always available while others dry. This helps prevent stench and fabric weariness.
2. Hand Washing
Fill a basin with cool or cold water, and add some mild detergent specifically for elastics or sportswear. Soak the garment and agitate the water through the fabric, don’t twist, wring or stretch which destroys lycra fibers and lessens compression.
Focus on sweat-prone zones and near incision sites—carefully rub these areas with the palm, not fingernails. Rinse under cool running water until clear. Soap residue will aggravate healing skin and shorten fabric life.
3. Machine Washing
Pop it into a mesh laundry bag to minimize friction and snagging. Select a cold-water delicate or gentle cycle on your machine and use mild detergent sparingly. Don’t crowd the drum – give items space to toss about so they rinse clean and aren’t pulled out of shape against other garments.
Take out promptly at cycle end to reduce wrinkles and mildew risk. For stubborn smells, pre-soaking with baking soda and cold water can assist before machine washing.
4. Rinsing
Rinse under cool running water until there are no more suds, cloudy water = you have to keep rinsing. Gently squeeze out water. Never wring.
When rinsing, instead, lay the garment on a soft towel to provide support to its shape and prevent overstretching. Foam inserts need to be rinsed and washed separately every 2–3 days to maintain hygiene and efficacy.
5. Removing Excess Water
Lay the piece flat on a clean, absorbent towel and roll to press out water–do not wring. Press, don’t wring. This extracts water while maintaining the integrity of the knit and elastic.
Unroll, reshape and lay flat or hang to air dry away from direct heat. Examine post drying for shape retention and any wear or seam stress.
Washing Frequency
Washing frequency for liposuction compression garments depends on hygiene, comfort, and garment maintenance. Clean clothes decrease risk of infection and skin irritation and ensure compression remains effective. Washing following the first permitted post-surgical shower, just so the garment begins its service fresh.
For many people, washing a faja every other day meets clinical and practical needs: it keeps the garment free of body fluids, prevents buildup, and fits a routine that supports healing. Wash daily or after every use when the garment is subject to heavy perspiration, discharge or topical treatment. Highly active, heavily sweating or wound exudate contact need to be washed ASAP to prevent bacteria and smell from developing.
If you lightly exercise or otherwise are fairly sedentary, every-other-day washing is typically sufficient. Monitor your own body: increased perspiration, signs of irritation, or any visible staining are clear reasons to wash sooner rather than later.
Switch between several shirts for cleanliness and drying purposes. Two to three compression garments is the functional norm – one can be worn while the other is laundered and dried. Other patients like a bigger rotation—3 or more—if they need to wash daily, or if drying time is long in their climate.
For instance, in humid climates a garment is slower to dry, so an additional spare keeps you from putting on a damp article that may encourage bacteria. Use sensory checks as a guide: smell and sight matter. Significant smells or stains wash now! A slight BO un-stained still calls for a wash.
Small, frequent washes are preferable to infrequent heavy cleans because they take the fluids and skin oils out before they set into the fabric. Washing frequently supports the garment’s elasticity and fit, helping retain intended compression throughout recovery.
Try to balance garment type and your own needs when establishing a schedule. Light, airy fabrics can handle more frequent washings without deforming. Heavier or structured garments may need gentle care and fewer machine cycles.
ALWAYS heed manufacturer and clinician guidance regarding washing methods to prevent damage. If in doubt about frequency, err on the side of cleanliness: early post-surgery, wash at least every other day and increase to daily if you notice sweat, drainage, or medication residue.
Detergent Selection
Select a detergent that guards the garment’s rubber and compression. Delicate-specific or sensitive-fabric detergents are generally preferred. Cold water (30°C or less), manufacturer or surgeon’s instructions and no harsh chemicals, which reduce the life of the garment.
Keep detergent in a cool, dry place so it stays effective for later washes.
Safe Options
Choose gentle, allergen-free detergents without bleach or fabric softeners. Liquid detergents dissolve more thoroughly in cold water and leech less residue onto compression wear than powder. Most activewear detergents are designed to maintain breathability and moisture-wicking, allowing the garment to perform as intended.
Create a short list of approved detergents if your surgeon or garment maker provides one that list saves time and reduces risk.
That’s where pre-soak can assist. Fill a basin with cool water and a dash of mild detergent, then soak for 15–30 minutes to loosen the dirt and oils. For stubborn scents or faint stains, others combine approximately 30 g of baking soda per liter of cold water and have the clothing soak for a bit before rinsing — this can remove odors without any nasty chemicals.
Always test a small, inconspicuous spot when attempting a new product to ensure colorfastness and fiber reaction.
What to Avoid
Avoid bleach, fabric softeners and heavy-duty stain removers – these degrade elastics and lessen compression. Optical brighteners in certain detergents provide a whiter appearance to fabrics but tend to degrade fibers long-term.
Homemade cleaners like vinegar mixes might feel natural, but they will alter the garment’s compression and pH balance, so stay clear of them for routine use.
Do not wash your compression with heavily soiled items as this can cause cross contamination and transfer of substances that could stain or degrade fabric. For tough blood stains, a targeted pre-soak can work: one tablespoon hydrogen peroxide in four liters of water applied for a couple of minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Use sparingly and test first, as peroxide can affect color. Never use too much detergent, because it leaves a residue that traps oils and odors and diminishes elasticity. Just store any detergent in a dry, cool place to keep it stable and effective for use in future washes!
Proper Drying
Drying your liposuction garments properly not only maintains shape, maintains consistent compression, but reduces the potential of skin irritation or bacteria growth. Start by selecting a clean, flat surface or an airy drying rack. Lay garments flat on a clean towel or mesh rack to prevent seams from stretching and to expose air to both sides.
For cotton blends, which can give out when damp, lay flat instead of hanging to minimize stress on the material. Avoid drying garments on the ground or walls near heaters or radiators. Heat and UV light break down lycra, nylon and spandex fibers and can cause fading or loss of elasticity.
Farewell, classic tumble dryer. High heat will shrink or damage synthetics and decrease compression. If your dryer has a no heat or air-fluff setting, reserve it for last and inspect the garment label first. Reshape clothing while still wet by smoothing out seams and lining up panels so the piece dries in its proper shape.
This preserves fit and compression performance. These small tweaks–tuck stretched edges back into place or smooth cups and bands–make a real difference after the garment dries. Make sure they’re 100% dry before you wear or store them. Moist compression clothing can hold sweat and bacteria against your skin, increasing the risk of chafing and infection.
Air drying is best – leave until fully dry, which can take several hours or overnight based on humidity. If you don’t want to have to dry in a hurry, always have two items on hand and rotate to use them in rotation, so that one can dry fully while you wear the other. With more than one piece you never have to worry about having a fresh, dry hug to back you up.
When deeper cleaning calls for soaking, keep soaks limited to 10–15 minutes. Extended time in water is what degrades spandex and other elastics. After soaking and rinsing, press water out gently—don’t wring—and then lay flat or on a rack to finish drying.
For storage, swab the storage surface once a week with a mild disinfectant and allow the surface to air dry before laying on garments. Save clothing in a cool, dry location away from direct light and humidity. Drying and proper storage combined prolong garment life, compression levels and infection risk.
Common Mistakes
Washing and care mistakes are frequent and they alter the effectiveness of compression garments. Here’s what the biggest mistakes are, why they’re important, where they tend to occur and how to prevent them.
Overstretching or wringing items when washing or drying them, which ruins the compression. Stretching or twisting a garment to extract water tugs on elastic fibers and distorts the weave. Because this can lead to inconsistent compression, spaces that require rigid support don’t lay flat anymore.
Both drying on a radiator and tugging it into shape by hand cause damage. Instead, carefully squeeze out excess water between clean towels and dry flat on a mesh rack. Example: after hand washing a corset-style garment, fold it into a towel and press twice, then reshape gently and dry flat. Apply gentle pressure – never hang heavy, wet clothes by their straps.
Hot water or rough laundry cycles that wear down elastic fibers and decrease lifespan. High heat and long spin cycles accelerate wear and cause elastic to lose its rebound. Machine agitation can pull seams and labels.
Hand wash in cool to lukewarm water or a delicate, low temperature machine cycle in a mesh bag. Wash in mild, pH-neutral detergent and no bleach or fabric softener. Example: a soft cleanser like a baby wash or a small amount of mild liquid detergent preserves fibers better than powdered detergents or whitening agents.
Failing to wash clothes regularly, greater risk of infection and slow healing. Worn compression absorbs sweat, blood and skin oils that can inflame incisions or encourage bacteria. Failing to change or wash garments as directed by the surgeon increases infection risk and can inhibit healing.
Wash or change liners and garments as directed by professionals, which is frequently on a daily to every other day basis in early recovery. Example: when drainage is present, change garments immediately and launder contaminated pieces separately using hot water if safe for the fabric, or follow clinic protocols.
Forgetting to follow care labels, which can cause garments to break down early. Care labels provide detailed guidelines for water temperature, drying, and bleaching for that fabric and construction. Neglect reduces the life and may void the warranty.
When labels contradict common sense, heed the surgeon’s or manufacturer’s written instructions. Follow post-op behavior rules: one common mistake is not following the surgeon’s guidelines on resuming physical activities, which can cause seromas or hematomas.
Rushing back into intense exercise, omitting compression or rest, dehydration, alcohol, poor wound care, and inadequate nutrition all extend recovery and damage results.
Beyond Cleanliness
Taking care of liposuction compression garments is about more than just eliminating stains. It maintains the garment’s capacity for delivering consistent, uniform compression, promotes wound healing, and reduces the risk of complications. Add care to your recovery routine so the garment keeps working to minimize swelling, movement pain, and fluid accumulation.
Fabric Integrity
Wash by the tag to maintain elasticity. Use mild detergent, cool water, gentle cycles – no bleach or fabric softener that erodes fibers. Air dry flat or hang without stretching to maintain shape.
Following every wash, inspect the seams, hook closures, and strain points for thinning or minute tears. Swap out clothing that sags, loses its compression or retains a lingering odor – these indicate the material no longer holds up tissues as intended.
Store clothes flat or folded loosely in a dry area to prevent stiff creases that compromise fabric strength — rolling is okay for short-term storage. When properly cleaned and stored, the majority of medical-grade compression garments endure 3–6 months or longer; however, do replace sooner if compression is compromised.
Recovery Impact
Clean, snug clothing provides consistent compression which helps control swelling and bruising. Wearing it about 12 hours a day throughout your recovery still provides significant support, even if you can’t wear it nonstop.
Early recovery typically entails daily wear — try to wash them every 1–3 days to minimize bacteria and skin irritation. Regular wearing of intact garments encourages tissue healing and skin retraction, which helps enhance contour.
Shoddy or insufficient compression increases the likelihood of seroma, hematoma, or delayed wound closure. Seromas are fluid pockets that cause swelling and pain and can extend recovery by weeks or months if left untreated.
Monitor swelling and comfort, modifying garment fit according to your surgeon’s instructions. If swelling persists uneven or pain intensifies, a garment that’s lost compression could be to blame.
Psychological Comfort
Daily doses of clean clothes make recovery more comfortable and confident. An easy pattern — every second day or weekly inspections and washes — washes off sweat, body fluids, dust and bacteria while not wearing the garment out too quickly.
This habit reduces anxiety over smell or infection and promotes improved sleep and facilitates ease throughout your day-to-day activities. Having peace of mind that the garment is clean minimizes stress and keeps the recovery mindset positive.
Less pain during motion due to proper compression simplifies day-to-day life and allows patients to feel more in control.
Conclusion
Liposuction clothes require consistent maintenance to remain hygienic and comfortable. Hand wash in cool water with a mild, dye-free detergent. Rinse thoroughly and squeeze out water gently. Dry flat out of heat and sun. Wash after each heavy sweat or daily wear in early recovery. Select a light soap that will not leave residue or dissolve elastic. No bleach, no fabric softener, no hot machines. Inspect the seams and straps every time you wash it for wear and tear. Swap out a sagging or unsupportive garment. Small habits make a big difference: quick rinses after workouts, using a mesh bag for machine washes only when allowed, and airing them between wears. Experiment with a wash schedule for a week and see what maintains fit and comfort optimal. I recommend ordering an extra garment to rotate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I wash my liposuction garment?
Wash it every 1-3 days of wear, or immediately if it becomes soiled or sweaty. Regular hand washing of your compression garments not only avoids odor and irritation to the skin but preserves their compression capability.
Can I machine wash my compression garment?
Only if permitted by the manufacturer. Wash on a delicate cycle using cold water and a mesh laundry bag. Hand washing is safest to protect fabric and fasteners.
What detergent is best for liposuction garments?
Utilize a gentle, fragrance-free detergent designed for delicates. Ditch the bleach, fabric softeners, and harsh enzymes that can deteriorate elastic fibers.
How should I dry my garment to keep it effective?
Hang dry in shade or lay flat. Do not use dryer heat or direct sunlight. Heat damages elastic and changes fit, diminishing compression function.
How do I remove odors without damaging the fabric?
Soak in cool water with mild detergent and a small amount of white vinegar (1:4 ratio) for 15–30 minutes. Rinse out and hang up to dry. Vinegar kills the stink without destroying elastic.
Can I iron or use a steamer on my compression garment?
No. Heat from irons or steam can weaken elastic fibers and alter compression. Play it safe and just air dry at room temperature.
When should I replace my liposuction garment?
Change every 3–6 months or sooner if elasticity, fit, or hook-and-eye closures wear down. Correct replacement provides sustained support and improved healing.