Corset Care
Handcrafted to order. Cared for, it lasts.
Every Emerald corset leaves the atelier as a one-of-one — cut, boned, and finished by hand in a small batch. These instructions exist so it stays as extraordinary as the day it arrived.
Washing
Hand wash, always.
A corset never meets a washing machine. The drum, the agitation, and the spin will distort the boning and stress the seams — work no machine can undo. By hand, in lukewarm water, is the only way.
How to Wash Your Corset
- 1.Fill a basin with lukewarm water — no more than 30°C.
- 2.Dissolve a small amount of mild liquid detergent. Nothing harsh, nothing bleaching.
- 3.Fasten any hooks or closures, then turn the corset inside out.
- 4.Immerse gently. Do not rub, wring, scrub, or use brushes or sponges.
- 5.Rinse in clean, cool water until it runs clear.
- 6.Press the water out softly with a towel. Never wring.
Drying
Patient, away from the sun.
Lay the corset flat or let it dry vertically, reshaping it gently with your hands while damp. Keep it away from direct sunlight, radiators, and other heat sources — heat weakens delicate fibres and can warp the boning. Do not tumble dry, and do not hang a wet corset by its laces.
Steaming
Steam only. Never iron.
To refresh the silhouette between wears, use a steamer — gently, from a short distance, letting the steam smooth the fabric. Never press an iron to a corset: direct heat marks delicate fabrics, damages lace and glitter finishes, and can permanently distort the boning beneath.
Glitter & Lace
Delicate finishes, gentler hands.
Glitter and lace are the most tender of all. Wash these pieces inside out, handle them as briefly as the water allows, and never rub or wring — friction loosens the glitter's bond and pulls at the lace. Dry flat, away from sunlight, and let the piece rest fully before its next wear.
The Never List
What a handmade corset must never endure.
- Machine wash or tumble dry
- Hot water
- Bleach, soap bars, or fabric softener
- Wringing or spinning
- Ironing — ever
- Dry cleaning, unless the piece is heavily embellished and your cleaner knows corsetry
- Direct sunlight or heat sources while drying
Wearing & Storage
Between the moments it was made for.
Loosen the laces fully before putting on or removing your corset — never pull it over the body under tension. Let perfumes and body lotions dry before dressing, as they can mark delicate fabrics over time.
After each wear, air the corset before storing it. Lay it flat in a dry place, fastened, with the boning unbent — never fold it. With this care, a piece made once for you stays yours for decades.
A Final Word
If anything is uncertain — a stain, a loose thread, a question about a particular piece — write to us before acting. A corset made by hand deserves a moment of advice.