Unless you are trying out the topless trend, bras are part of everyday life for most women. That's why they should be washed regularly. But let's be honest: do you know how to wash bras properly? Simply putting the rest of the laundry in the washing machine is the worst possible way to clean the delicate pieces of lingerie. We'll tell you here which care instructions you should follow when washing your bra.
If it's not just laziness that causes you not to wash a bra according to the care instructions, then it is usually not knowing how to do it at all. Bras not only serve one purpose, they should also look chic and, in certain moments, attractive. However, this effect works if the tip comes off through incorrect washing and care, the color fades, the cups are deformed or small holes can be seen in the fine fabric. To prevent this from happening, you should consider the following tips in the future.
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Care guide: what should you watch out for when washing your bra?
The basic motto when washing bras is: as gently as possible. The lingerie is composed of many pieces. Often there are pre-formed cups that can deform during intensive washing, spinning and drying. The built-in brackets can in turn come off, while the fine tip must be handled with care anyway. The separate washing of bras also has the advantage that other items of clothing are spared from damage, for example by the locking hooks.
The most important rules to follow when washing your bra:
1. Hand washing bras is safest
Because bras are so delicate, hand washing is still the best way to get them clean. To do this, you simply grab a small tub in which you put water at a temperature of 30 to 40 degrees and mix it with a little liquid detergent. Then you put the underwear in and let it soak for a while. Then you clean the bras under clear water, gently squeeze them out and hang them up to dry.
2. If washing machine, then gentle cycle
Can you wash bras in the washing machine? If you don't have time to wash your bra by hand, you can put it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle and packed in a small laundry bag. Be careful, wash at a temperature of no more than 30 degrees! The bag is necessary to prevent damage to other clothing or the machine itself from the bra hooks or metal hangers sticking out. The bra should of course be closed by the hooks to further reduce the risk.
3. Do not put bras in the dryer
The dryer, like the washing machine, is useful, but not suitable for a bra because tossing around is just too aggressive. The bra that is still wet could warp and dry in this way. Therefore it is better to air dry it. Before doing this, you should do the following:
4. Pull wet bras into shape
Before you hang up the lingerie, you can still pull it into shape. This is particularly useful for pre-formed cups. These lose their shape due to the moisture, which can easily be restored manually. Simply pull the cups and pads carefully (!) So that everything is even again. Then you can hang them on the clothesline.
5. Do not dry bras in the sun
If you hang up your bras to dry, make sure they are out of direct sunlight. Otherwise the color will fade very quickly and the piece of lingerie may look older and more used than it is. So it is better to have a well-ventilated, dry place without direct sunlight.
How often should you wash a bra?
What you have to consider: As a result of daily wear, not only dust particles but also sweat and odors collect in the bra. Therefore, it should be washed about once a week. This is the only way to ensure adequate hygiene and cleanliness.
How can you extend the life of your bra?
Important: You shouldn't wear the same bra every day. The elasticity is lost through continuous use. It is better to wait a day and alternate with another bra so that the rubber inserts can pull together sufficiently.
We have put together a nice selection of bras for you here:
If you want to enjoy your bra for a long time, you should not only wash it carefully and change it more often, but also store it properly. For example, the cups should not be bent. And you shouldn't throw the bra carelessly in the laundry drawer. It makes much more sense to keep the bras spread out one behind the other.
Do you want to know more about bras? We explain how to find the perfect bra size for you here. And here you can find out how to properly attach an adhesive bra as an alternative to the classic fabric bra.