The Dos and Don'ts of Washing Your Bra

You’ve put some research into the styles of bra that best suit your body and your lifestyle. You’ve been professionally fit and can see the difference in both how you look and your comfort. You’ve built up a bra wardrobe that makes sure that you never have to worry about not having the right bra to suit your needs — but how are you supposed to clean your bras after you wear them? It’s easier than you think, but keep in mind that there’s a reason your lingerie is sometimes referred to as your “delicates”.

You don’t need to wash your bra after every wear — doing so can actually damage them and shorten their lifetime. Try washing every three or four wears, although this will depend on your activity level and even the climate you live in. If you wear your bra for a workout or have a particularly hot, sweaty day, you’ll want to wash it. Cycling through a few bras is the best way to protect the elasticity and prolong time between washes, but it’s okay to wear a bra more than one day in a row. Taking it off at night and storing it properly will help it maintain its shape.

When it comes to washing your bras, hand washing is by far your best bet. Start by filling up a sink with water. Warm or cool water is okay, just avoid hot water as it will damage the bra’s elastic. Mix in a little bit of gentle detergent and swish the water around so some suds appear. You’ll want to wash your bras with like colors- washing your nude everyday bra with the bright red bra you wore for a special occasion can lead to unfortunate surprises. You’ll want to soak your bras for about fifteen minutes or longer if they’re very dirty. This will help dirt and oil break down without damaging the bra. You can gently scrub away any dirt and then it’s time to rinse your bras in cold water until the water runs clear. If you’re washing something that might be particularly dirty — like your sports bra from the gym — you can wash more than once.

Sometimes we just don’t have time to hand wash our bras but we still have to get them clean: so into the washing machine they go. Luckily, there are a few simple steps that can help make sure your bras make it through the wash in good shape. A mesh garment bag is great for keeping your bras safe from the harsh twisting and warping that can happen in the washing machine. Take care to close the hooks on your bras to protect them and the rest of your clothes from getting snagged. You will want to use cool water and your washing machine’s gentlest cycle while washing bras.

Whether you hand wash or machine wash your bras, how you dry them will make the biggest difference in the lifespan of your bras. You do not ever want to put your bras in the dryer- the high heat is terrible for the elastic and the spinning and twisting motions can damage the structure of the bra. Your best bet is to lay the bra flat on a towel, using a second towel to wipe away any excess water. Never wring out or twist the bra to get water out. If you would like to hang your bra up to dry, hang it by the band on hangers with clips. This is better than hanging it by the straps as that can cause them to stretch out of shape over time. When they’re all clean and dry, stack your bras in a drawer, similar to how lingerie stores keep bras. This will make sure they don’t lose their shape.

It’s important to know how to wash your bra, but it’s also important to have a quality bra in the first place. For that, Hourglass Lingerie can help. Come see us behind the blue door today or check out our online store.