Corset Wear and Care Quiz

UV light can cause a corset's fabric to fade, humidity can cause the bones and grommets to rust, and salt and oil from your skin can cause fibers like silk to disintegrate. Also dangerous to corsets are substances that release acidic compounds over time (like adhesives and cheap-quality tissue-paper) and very alkaline substances like detergents. Some makers are careful to try to find "archival" interfacing/ stabilizers in their corsets and store their corsets in acid-free tissue, which are pH neutral, to preserve the corset as best as possible.

A corset can be laid out flat or draped over a chair, lining side up, to let odor and moisture escape. If you like, you can spritz it lightly with some dilute ethanol/ vodka to help quicken evaporation and disinfect the corset. Avoid using perfumes or Febreeze, as they can stain the corset or they may contain additives that build up and irritate your skin.

A corset is not a cheap garment - if you care about your belongings, it's important to keep them safe from being warped, crushed or dirty when not in use. Rolling or bunching the corset tightly may cause the fabric to crinkle, and tying the laces around it too firmly may create dents or abrasion around the corset - however, keeping the laces loose may cause them to tangle badly over time (which is annoying at minimum). Keep your corsets away from pets, foot traffic, or kids with scissors and permanent markers. Hanging your corset, laying it flat, or storing it in special corset boxes or bags are all great ways to keep them in top condition.

Depending on the corset (if all layers of the corset are the same fiber), you may be able to gently and quickly hand-wash your corset (avoiding full immersion) and let it air-dry. Never put your corset in a washing machine or tumble-dryer! Avoid soaking the corset as this can encourage the steels to rust. If you can find a specialist dry-cleaner who is experienced with treating corsets, he or she may be able to clean your corset. Some choose to never wash their corsets and simply spot-clean or spritz, and this is an individual's prerogative. Cleaning methods may change depending on the corset - if you are unsure how to clean your specific corset, contact your corset maker for more details.

When you receive your first corset, tighten it to a gentle reduction (1-2 inches smaller than your waistline, measured overtop of the corset is fine). Start by only wearing your corset 1-2 hours at a time, and check that your body doesn't feel too sore. After a week or two, you should feel that the corset is softening and will feel more comfortable. Avoid wearing the corset on a slant, or with a "()" lacing gap, or otherwise warping or twisting the corset, as it may end up damaging the corset and it may not sit straight when you wear it.

There are many ways you can deal with the extra laces, including tucking them under the X's in the back of the corset, putting them into a "pocket" provided by some corset makers which covers the lacing panel, or simply tucking the laces underneath the corset itself. Others don't mind the laces hanging down like a tail, and so they do nothing.

Avoid tying the laces around your waist though; not only does this cause an ugly bump adding bulk right at the waistline (where you're working so hard to reduce!) but an abrasive cord rubbed against a delicate fashion fabric like silk can cause abrasions and holes in the fabric over time... and in some situations if tied too tightly at the waist, it may even permanently bend/ kink the busk and boning, which might be uncomfortable for the wearer!

Also, NEVER tie a double-knot and cut the laces. Not only is this unsafe if you need to get out of the corset quickly and can't loosen the laces, but the next time you go to wear your corset, you will need new laces!