How to Wash and Care for Your Bras: Extend Their Lifespan

A quality bra is an investment, and like any investment, it deserves proper care to maintain its value. With the right washing and storage techniques, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your bras, keeping them supportive, comfortable, and looking new for much longer. This guide covers everything you need to know about bra care.

How Often Should You Wash Your Bras?

The ideal washing frequency depends on how you wear your bras and your personal body chemistry. As a general guideline, everyday bras should be washed after two to three wears. Sports bras, however, should be washed after every wear due to the increased sweat and moisture they absorb during physical activity.

Waiting too long between washes allows body oils, sweat, and bacteria to accumulate in the fabric, which can break down elastic fibres and cause odours. However, washing too frequently can also stress the materials. Finding the right balance is key.

Hand Washing: The Gold Standard

Hand washing is the gentlest and most effective method for cleaning bras. While it requires more effort than machine washing, the benefits to your bras' longevity are significant. Here is the proper technique:

1. Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water. Hot water can damage elastic fibres and cause shrinkage.
2. Add a small amount of gentle detergent specifically designed for delicates or lingerie. Regular laundry detergent can be too harsh.
3. Submerge your bras and let them soak for 10-15 minutes to loosen dirt and oils.
4. Gently agitate the bras in the water, paying extra attention to the band and underarm areas where sweat accumulates.
5. Rinse thoroughly under cool running water until all soap is removed. Residual detergent can irritate skin and attract dirt.
6. Gently squeeze out excess water—never wring or twist, as this distorts the cups and damages the structure.

Machine Washing: When You Must

If hand washing is not practical for your lifestyle, machine washing can be acceptable with proper precautions. The key is to protect your bras from the agitation and heat that damage delicate materials.

• Always use a lingerie bag. These mesh bags protect bras from tangling with other items and cushion them from the machine's agitation.
• Fasten all hooks before washing to prevent them from snagging on fabric or stretching the band.
• Select the delicate or hand-wash cycle with cold water. The gentle agitation and lower spin speed reduce stress on elastic fibres.
• Wash bras with similar items—other lingerie or lightweight clothing. Avoid washing with heavy items like jeans or towels.
• Use lingerie-specific or mild detergent in small quantities. Too much detergent leaves residue that stiffens fabric.

The Right Way to Dry Your Bras

After washing, proper drying is just as important as the washing process itself. Lay bras flat on a clean towel to dry, reshaping the cups with your hands to maintain their form. Alternatively, you can hang bras by the centre gore, but never by the straps—hanging by straps stretches them out and distorts the fit.

Choose a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, as UV rays can fade colours and weaken fibres. In humid Australian climates, ensure adequate airflow to prevent mildew development. Drying usually takes 12-24 hours depending on the fabric and environment.

Proper Bra Storage

How you store your bras affects their shape and lifespan almost as much as how you wash them. The best method is to line up bras in a drawer with cups facing upward, each cup nested inside the previous bra. This maintains cup shape and allows you to see your entire collection at a glance.

Never fold one cup into the other—this crease can become permanent over time, especially in moulded or padded bras. If drawer space is limited, you can stack bras on top of each other, but avoid placing heavy items on top that could crush the cups.

For bralettes and unstructured bras without moulded cups, folding is acceptable. Simply fold in half at the centre gore and store flat or rolled.

Special Care for Different Bra Types

Push-Up and Padded Bras

Extra padding requires extra care. These bras take longer to dry, so ensure they are completely dry before storing to prevent mould. Never squeeze water out of the padding—press gently with a towel instead.

Underwire Bras

Underwires can warp or poke through their casings if mistreated. Always hand wash or use a lingerie bag, and reshape the wires after washing if necessary. If a wire begins to poke through, repair it immediately to prevent further damage.

Lace and Delicate Fabrics

Delicate lace and silk require the gentlest handling. Always hand wash in cool water and avoid any rubbing or twisting. These bras are particularly susceptible to snags, so keep them away from jewellery, zips, and rough surfaces during washing and storage.

Signs It Is Time for a New Bra

Even with perfect care, bras eventually wear out. Replace your bras when you notice the band has stretched and no longer provides support, straps lose their elasticity, cups have lost their shape, or the fabric becomes thin or pilled. Most bras last 6-12 months with regular wear, depending on quality and care.