Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

You'll never lose another sock again.

Just because you can toss your socks, bras, and swimsuits in the washing machine with the rest of your clothes doesn't mean you should—at least, not if you want them to last. If you truly don't care if your tights rip and your bra straps get so tangled in your washing machine that they get stuck, you can turn around and stop reading now. But if you want to lead a life of clean, properly cared for laundry, I'll let you in on a little secret: Wash bags are your friend.

If you're sitting there wondering, "What's a wash bag?" Here's what you need to know. They're small zippered or drawstring bags made from mesh or netting (to allow water and soap to still get in and out) that you put your delicates in when you do laundry. You put them in the wash just like you would a sweatshirt or a pair of pants, but they're more protected from the throws of the spin cycle. Bras are far less likely to come out misshapen, lacy pieces won't get shredded, and things like tights and swimsuits avoid getting stretched out and tangled up in your machine.

Of course, wash bags don't give you a license to throw just anything in the laundry—make sure you're reading the labels and reserve items that have to be hand-washed or dry cleaned for their appropriate laundering method.

Some people prefer the hand-wash route for things like lingerie and bathing suits regardless, but even if you're on team Hand Wash All Your Delicates even when you don't have to, there's still one huge perk to using wash bags that everyone can benefit from: You'll never lose another sock to the mysterious washer-dryer monster that seems to always be stealing them, leaving your feet constantly mismatched. If all of your socks are washed together in a mesh bag, there's nowhere for them to disappear to—and you don't have to hunt around to reunite your favorite pairs while you're folding later, either.

But wait, that's not all! Since wash bags come in various sizes, you can use them for just about anything—you don't have to limit them to things you'd put in your underwear drawer. Lace tops, strappy dresses—if it's washable, you can put it in a laundry bag.

Ready to become a wash bag convert? Here's a pro tip: Avoid options with loosely woven mesh and stick with laundry bags that have smaller, barely there holes. A good rule of thumb is to gauge whether or not the holes are big enough for a bra hook to get caught in one—if it is, go with a different bag where that's not the case. The finer the netting, the harder it is for the bag to rip or get caught on anything. And don't worry, I'm not here to thrust you out of the laundry nest without some recommendations—these tried-and-true wash bags ought to do the trick:

Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.