HOW TO WASH BRAS
Let’s talk candidly.Nobody reads the care labels on their bras. We know, it’s a thing. Lucky for you, pretty much all bras have the same care requirements. We all know the importance of washing our bras and have been doing so since we began wearing them. Well at least some of us have. Either way, we don’t always do it right. In a perfect world, we could simply toss our bras into the washing machine with the rest of our laundry (and still can) however for any of those who’ve done so, can share that machine washed bras commonly come out tangled, misshapen and break down faster.
Learning how to wash bras correctly might take some extra time, however doing so will ensure they stay supportive, comfortable and clean so you’re ready for your next adventure! Plus, how and how often you should wash bras can impact how long they stay in tip top shape (saving you money in the end).
To help you get started and avoid common bra washing mistakes, we’re going to explain everything you need to know about how to wash your bras, delicates and lingerie as well as answer any other “how-to” questions when it comes to caring for your bras. We’ve listed our tips in order of best practice so follow along for the best tips and tricks on how to wash bras.
Due to the delicate fabric and nature of bras, hand washing them is the best technique to extend their lifespan. If you think learning how to hand wash bras is tedious, you’re not alone, however don’t let that stop you from using the method recommended by experts. Here’s a step by step guide on how to hand wash bras.
How to Hand Wash Your Bras:
Step 1: Clean and Fill Your Sink with Cold Water + Detergent
The first step in hand washing your bras is finding a clean sink that is large enough for your bras to fit and soak in. You can also use a clean container or bath tub. Begin by filling your sink with water and add a penny size amount of detergent (just enough to work up a light lather) as too much can leave residue on your bras.
Tip: Never use hot water to wash your bras as it can break down the elastics in the fabric and loosen your bras fit.
Step 2: Add Bras to Sink + Allow Them to Soak
Add your bras and let them sit in the soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the detergent to dissolve any oils or dirt. For particularly dirty bras, leave them in the water for one hour. Watch a show, listen to some music or do a quick workout but whatever you do don’t forget to set a timer for your bras! When your time goes off, gently rub your bras through your fingers cleaning away any visible sweat spots or dirt.
Step 3: Rinse Your Bras
Once you’re ready to remove your bras from the sink, take them out one by one and rinse them with cold water. Continue rinsing until all the soap is off your bra and the water runs clear.
Tip: Never ring out your bra or else it will stretch the fabric.
Step 4: Towel Dry + Hang
In order to dry your bras, place them down on a clean towel and use your second towel to remove any water by pressing down on the cups. Then, they can either lay flat on a towel, hang dry from their straps or by the gore (that’s the part where the two cups meet in the front). Allow them to air dry for one to two days.
The Dryer Can Set Your Bras on Fire
No bra deserves to be tumble dried, especially not a bra with wires. Imagine what would happen if you put your bra in a microwave. Eventually the wires would get so hot that their plastic coating would melt onto the fabric and catch fire. The same happens to a bra in the dryer, but at a much slower pace. Even if you tumble dry on low heat, the temperature will break down any elastane in the fabric over time. The quickest way to ruin a smooth moulded bra is in the drier: the foam will wrinkle as the heat makes it shrink.
Once your bras are dry they are ready to wear! Make sure you have enough extra bras so you won’t go braless on laundry day!
How to Machine Wash Your Bras
Life gets busy and sometimes we can’t wash our bras by hand. For a quick alternative, learn how to wash bras in the washing machine by following our guide below.
Step 1: Put Bras Into a Mesh or Lingerie Bag
So the number one rule for machine washing your bras is to use a delicates or lingerie bag. Before you zip your bras into one of these wash bags, you must
minimise the trauma by fastening your bras’ hooks and eyes.If left undone they can hook onto the fabric or the wires, causing tearing or buckling.) Once your bras are safely zipped inside a good lingerie bag for washing machines, set your machine to delicate cycle on the lowest temperature, and change the spin cycle setting to ‘no spin’. Wash your delicates by themselves, because heavy items with zippers or metal buttons can tear through wash bags and chew up your lingerie.
Step 2: Adjust Your Washing Settings
Set your washer machine to a delicate cycle, and use cold water with a gentle detergent. Add your bag of bras to the wash and press start to run the delicate cycle.
Step 3: Fix Cups + Air Dry
When your load is done, check if any of your bras with molded cups have misshapen in the wash. Simply reshape them with your hands
How often do you need to replace your bras?
We recommend replacing your bra every four to six months, depending on how many bras you own and how often you wear them. If your bra just isn’t working for you, we always recommend swapping it for one created for comfort.
HOW TO WASH UNDERWEAR
We’ve walked you through how to wash bras, so next on your laundry list is to learn how to wash underwear. Even if you don’t sleep in your underwear, learning the best way to wash your underwear, panties and other types of garments is the best way to extend its life and keep it clean and ready for when you need it most. In our guide, we will show you the different methods for washing your underwear, offer underwear washing tips and tricks and answer frequently asked questions to help make laundry day a breeze.
Some types of underwear and panties like seamless are delicate and shouldn’t be put into the washer machine. For washing these types of garments, opt for handwashing underwear in the sink.
How to hand wash your underwear
Step 1: Clean and Fill Your Sink with Cold Water + Detergent
The first step in hand washing your underwear is finding a clean sink that is large enough for your garments to fit in. You can also use a clean container or bathtub. Begin by filling your sink with water and add less than a penny size amount of detergent (just enough to work up a light lather) as too much can leave residue on your panties.
Tip: Opt for a specially-formulated delicate or silk wash. Baby shampoo also works well for gentle cleaning.
Step 2: Add Underwear to Sink + Gently Rub
Once you’ve added your underwear to the sink, make sure your panties are submerged and swish them around to loosen any dirt or stains. Next, you will want to give them a gentle scrub (you can either do this with your fingers or a clean toothbrush) focusing on areas like the sanitization strip (gert?) and anywhere else body oils and bacteria can be present. Next, let the underwear soak for 5 to 15 minutes depending on how many garments you are washing at one time.
Step 3: Rinse Your Underwear
Once you’re ready to remove your underwear from the sink, take them out one by one and rinse them with cold water. Continue rinsing until all the soap is off your underwear and the water runs clear.
Tip: Never ring out your underwear or else it will stretch the fabric. Lightly squeeze the water out if needed.
Step 4: Dry Your Underwear
To dry your underwear, place them down on a clean towel and use your second towel to remove any water by pressing down on it. Make sure all the water is squeezed out. Then take the underwear and hang it up on either a hanger or drying rack to air dry.
How to Wash Underwear in the Washing Machine
Step 1: Put Underwear into a Lingerie Bag
Lingerie bags are designed to keep delicate garments safe in the washing machine. Putting underwear into a mesh or lingerie bag ensures that they won’t get tangled or snagged on other clothing.
Step 2: Wash the Load on a Gentle Cycle
Set your washer machine to a delicate cycle, and use cold water with a gentle detergent. Add your bag of bras to the wash and press start to run the delicate cycle.
Step 3: Tumble Dry Underwear on a Low Setting
When your load is done, gently pull your underwear out of the washer and put them in your dryer. Change your dryer setting to tumble dry on the lowest setting. If you don’t wish to dry your underwear by machine, follow the steps above for air drying!
Step 4: Remove, Fold and Store
Once your drying load is done, remove underwear from lingerie bags, fold and store!
Now that you know the different methods for washing your underwear, consider the following tips for proper underwear care.
Read Your Garment Tag
With any type of clothing, it’s always best to read your garment’s washing instructions. Usually, it can be located on a small garment tag on the inside of the back panel of underwear. Reading up on washing instructions can help you decide whether your type of underwear should go into the washing machine or be washed by hand.
Pre-Treat Any Stains
To remove stains from underwear, pre-treat the stain before washing. Do so by dabbing a stain pre-treater or even dish soap on the area and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Turn Underwear Inside Out
Turn your underwear inside out when washing to reduce the wear and tear on delicate fabric. This step will get your underwear cleaner, too.
Wash With Similar Items
Washing your underwear in a separate load can minimize fabric friction, avoid them getting caught on buttons and zippers and improve hygiene.
Avoid Using Fabric Softener or Bleach
Fabric softener is a nightmare for nylon and polyester-based microfiber fabrics. Since microfiber is already silky soft, there’s no need for this extra step. It’s ok to use on cotton, but not recommended. Bleach is best left to heavy-duty washes, as it can weaken fabrics over time. If you need the extra disinfecting power of bleach, keep usage to every other wash to keep your underwear in tip-top condition
Choose a Mild Detergent
Delicate fabrics like lace and mesh call for a gentle detergent like fine fabric detergent, free and gentle detergent, or mild dish liquid.
Remove Washed Clothes Immediately
Try your best to remove washed underwear immediately from your machine to prevent any mildew or wet laundry smell.
Avoid a Hot Dryer
Air drying is the best way to help your underwear look better and last longer, but if you are in a hurry and need to use a dryer, tumble dry on a low setting. The average home dryer can generate heat up to 180°F, making the inside of your dryer a virtual oven. Underwear fabrics can’t take this type of heat and it will cause it to stretch and sag.