How to wash and dry bras
Washing and drying your bras correctly is the key to ensuring that you can wear them for longer. Although bras are everyday items of clothing, they are quite delicate and they need to be washed and dried correctly. This will ensure that they keep their good fit and shape. In this article we will answer some important questions about bras, such as how you should wash and dry bras and what temperature you should wash them at?
Laundry detergents and washing machine programs for washing bras
Can bras be washed in the washing machine? Double check the care label to make sure that the material can be machine washed. Most bras are labelled with a handwashing symbol. If you want to be on the safe side, you should handwash them. However, many bras can also be washed on a gentle cycle if you follow a few basic rules:
Choosing the right washing machine program
To protect the delicate materials and the shape of your bra, you should select a delicate cycle. Many washing machines have a special program for handwash and/or delicates, which will gently wash your bras.
Ideally, you should put your washing machine on the lowest possible spin speed or even skip the spin cycle altogether to protect the delicate material from getting damaged. It is also important to not overload your washing machine, even on a gentle wash cycle. Do not wash bras with heavy items of clothing or towels as they can damage them.
Fasten the hooks on your bra before you put it in the washing machine. It is also a good idea to put your bras in a laundry net. This will help protect them from getting damaged in the wash and prevent them from getting tangled up in other items of clothing.
Washing bras at the correct temperature
Delicate wash cycles gently wash your garments in plenty of water at low temperatures. This program is the ideal choice for delicate items of clothing. As a general rule, bras should be washed at a maximum temperature of 30°C or 40°C degrees. This protects the fibres and prevents the fabric from becoming misshapen.
Helpful tip: Although bras are a type of underwear, you do not need to wash them at high temperatures to clean them. Your bras will be hygienically clean even after being washed at 30°C.
Laundry detergents for washing bras
To protect the colours and delicate fabric of your favourite bras, you should use a mild laundry detergent. Alternatively, there are also special lingerie detergents. You can always do without fabric softener for bras and underwear, as it can damage the elastic fibres.
Tips on handwashing bras
However, not all types of bras can be washed in the washing machine. Bras made of fabrics such as silk and lace or delicate bustiers often need to be carefully handwashed. This will ensure that your favourite lingerie will not get damaged in the wash. Below we have put together a small guide on how to handwash bras:
Fill the sink or a small washbowl with lukewarm water.
Now add a mild laundry detergent and follow the dosage instructions on the laundry detergent packaging.
Pop your bras in the water and leave them to soak for a few minutes. While they are soaking, you can clean them carefully with your hands by gently swirling them in the soapy water. Be careful not to rub them too much, even when washing them by hand.
Rinse your bras after washing them with cold or lukewarm water.
After washing them, gently squeeze any excess water out of the cups. However, do not wring out your bras as this can damage the elastic.
How to wash sports bras
In comparison to other types of bras, sport bras are easier to care for, but it is advisable to wash sports bras more often. It is best to wash your sports bra after each use as bacteria, deodorant residue and sweat can attack the elasticated fabric in the bra and overtime this can reduce the support function in your bra.
A lot of sport bras can be washed in the washing machine on a gentle cycle and at 30°C to 40°C, but make sure to check the care label beforehand. A gentle handwash is also always a good option, but you should ideally soak your sports bra for longer or a minimum of approximately 30 minutes. Removable pads should always be washed by hand.
Use a mild laundry detergent and avoid using fabric softener to maintain the elasticity and breathability of the fibres in the fabric. If you also wash other items of sportswear with your sports bras, it may be worth using a special sports laundry detergent.
Do not iron bras as it can damage the delicate fabrics. If your bra has become deformed or the cups have noticeable creases, unfortunately ironing them will not help. In this case, we recommend replacing your bra.
How to dry bras
Your bra will need to dry after it has been washed. As a general rule, you should never put your bras in the tumble dryer. The high temperatures can damage the delicate fibres and cause your bras to lose their shape.
Do not hang bras up to dry. If you hang a bra up by its straps or on one side of the bra band, these areas will wear out over time. In addition, do not hang your bra by the bridge, as this can cause it to bend.
It's best to leave your bras to air dry lying flat. After you have washed your bras, you can put them on a towel and spread them out on a clothes horse. The opening of the cups should be facing downwards. To prevent the colours from fading or the material from becoming misshapen, you should not put them in direct sunlight or near a radiator.
FAQs about washing and caring for bras
How often should you wash your bras? Handwash or washing machine? How long does a bra last? Below you will find answers to the most important questions about bra care.
How often should you wash your bras?
How often you should wash your bra depends on a couple of factors. If you have been sweating a lot, for example, when playing sports or on warm days, you should wash your bra after each time you wear it.
In general, you can wash your bras once you have worn them three to five times. However, you should not wear the same bra for several days in a row, instead leave your bra out to air for at least a day. Do not put worn bras back in the drawer even after airing them.
Should you handwash bras or wash them in a washing machine?
A lot of bras are made from delicate fabrics such as lace or silk. Ideally, lingerie made from such fabrics should be washed carefully by hand as the spin speed and washing machine programs are generally not suitable for bras. However, there is not always enough time to do this every day. A good alternative would be washing your bras on a gentle wash cycle, but we recommend checking the care label on your bras beforehand.
How should you store bras?
Unlike other types of underwear, storing bras can take up quite a bit of space in your wardrobe. To prevent them from becoming misshapen, you should avoid squeezing them into a drawer that is too tight. So keep the following dos and don'ts in mind when putting your bras away:
If there is enough space, you should always put your bras next to each other in a drawer. You can also put them gently on top of each other, which will help you to save some space.
Depending on the type of bra, it is also possible to cross over the bridge to save space when stacking. However, you should never put the cups inside each other as they can become misshapen.
The hooks on your bra should always be fastened so that they do not catch on other clothes and cause holes.
Make sure that your underwear drawer is not too full so that the bra cups do not get squashed. If you are short on space, you can also use a separate storage box.
How long does a bra last?
The lifespan of a bra depends on the quality of the fabric, how often it is worn and how well it is cared for. If you look after your bras, they can last between 8 months and a year if you wear them regularly. Your favourite bras or particularly expensive bras will often stay in your wardrobe for a bit longer, which is why you should regularly check whether your bras are still in good condition.
These useful tips will help you work out when you should replace your bra:
The bra band or the straps are worn out and no longer have a good fit.
The hooks can no longer be fastened properly.
The cups have become misshapen or the padding has visible creases.
The metal underwire sticks out from the fabric on the cups.
The fabric is discoloured or frayed.
There are unpleasant odours or stains that can no longer be removed.
Conclusion: how to wash and store bras correctly
Taking good care of your bras will ensure they keep a good fit and you can wear them for longer. You can significantly extend the life of your favourite bras by washing and drying them gently and storing them correctly. Wash your bras regularly at low temperatures with a mild laundry detergent and avoid putting them on high spin speeds in the washing machine and wringing them out after a handwash. The best way to dry a bra is to leave it lying flat. This is also gentle on the delicate fabrics and will help stop your bra from becoming misshapen.
