How to Care for TENCEL™ Modal Underwear to Keep It Soft

By tomboyx | Premium Underwear for All Day Comfort. Fit for You. | Published: 2026-10-30

Category: How-to Guides

Learn the best way to wash and dry your TENCEL™ Modal underwear so it stays soft, stretchy, and long-lasting. Avoid common mistakes that ruin the fabric.

Quick answer

Wash your TENCEL™ Modal underwear in cold water on a gentle cycle and always air dry. Avoid fabric softener and high heat to keep the fabric soft and stretchy.

Why TENCEL™ Modal needs special care

TENCEL™ Modal is made from renewable beechwood fibers, which gives it an exceptionally soft hand feel and excellent breathability. However, the same fine fibers can be damaged by harsh washing conditions or high heat, causing pilling, loss of softness, or shrinkage. A gentle approach preserves the fabric's natural drape and stretch.

Common mistakes that shorten lifespan

Using fabric softener or bleach can coat or break down the fibers, making the underwear less soft over time. Hot water and high-heat drying are the fastest ways to shrink or distort the fit. Even a single hot dryer cycle can set in permanent wrinkles or reduce elasticity.

Step-by-step care instructions

Turn underwear inside out: Before washing, turn each piece inside out. This protects the outer surface and reduces friction on the fabric. Checkpoint: If you see pilling, you may be washing with rougher items like jeans or zippers.
Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle: Use a mesh laundry bag for extra protection. Select cold water (below 86°F / 30°C) and the delicate or gentle cycle. Skip fabric softener and bleach entirely. Common mistake: Fabric softener coats the fibers and reduces moisture-wicking ability.
Air dry flat or hang to dry: After washing, gently reshape the underwear and lay it flat on a drying rack or hang it over a line. Keep it away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Do not use a tumble dryer. Checkpoint: If you must use a dryer, select the no-heat or air-fluff setting and remove while still slightly damp.

Product spotlight

4.5" Trunks - TENCEL™ Modal Chai: Made from 95% TENCEL™ Modal and 5% spandex, with a signature stay-put silky soft waistband. The spandex provides stretch and recovery, so avoiding heat and harsh chemicals helps maintain the waistband's shape and the fabric's soft feel.
4.5" Trunks - TENCEL™ Modal Chai