This Is Why Your Bras Aren’t Lasting – You’re Not Washing Them Properly
We’ve all got a favourite bra that gets worn as soon as it’s washed, but it’s not just overuse that causes bras to wear out, it’s how you’re washing them.
Here’s the top mistakes you’re making when caring for your underwear, and how to look after bras correctly to extend their lifespan.
Washing too often
From lingerie to sports bras and swimwear, too much washing can drastically reduce the lifespan. Alternate your bras and wear them on rotation so each one gets a break from washing. A lot of bras can be worn a few times before they need to be washed – apart from sweaty sports bras worn for a workout – so even when you have them on rotation, you could still be washing them too often.
Using the wrong detergent
Standard laundry detergent is often made to deal with heavy dirt, stains, and oil, which is perfect for things like jeans and towels, but not for bras. Harsh ingredients, even in environmentally friendly detergents, can break down materials that give your bras support; elastic can lose its stretch, and cause the bra to feel loose, and lace and mesh can become rough.
Use a lingerie-specific detergent that has been made just for this, and avoid using a fabric conditioner, particularly for sports bras, as it coats the fabric, reduces its stretch, and can make it less breathable for future workouts.
Using heat
You might think that a hot wash is the best wash to give your bras a proper clean, especially a sports bra that has seen a heavy workout, but heat is the enemy of bras, and it’s the quickest way to ruin them. Hot water damages the elastic, causing your bras to either shrink or become loose, and it can even warp underwire, making them uncomfortable, or even painful, to wear. Stick to a cool wash, and never put them in the tumble dryer.
Thinking ‘Hand Wash Only’ can be ignored
There might be some items of clothing that you can get away with throwing in the washing machine when the label says you shouldn’t. However, with bras, it’s essential that you follow instructions and only hand wash. Whether you’re washing a Curvy Kate lace balcony bra or a comfy, non-wired t-shirt bra, use some delicate detergent with warm water, and let them soak for 10 – 15 minutes. Rinse with cool, clean water, and repeat until there are no more bubbles, before allowing to dry.
Not protecting them in the washing machine
If the label says it can be put in the washing machine, you still need to take precautions. Using the delicate cycle is crucial, and try to wash your bras with other bras, not in a normal wash, to avoid them getting tangled up with other items, or the hooks catching on the inside of the machine – and putting them inside a mesh bag add another layer of protection to keep them safe.
Not drying them correctly
Air drying might feel a little frustrating, as it takes much longer than throwing them in the dryer, but it’s really important if you want your bra to last as long as possible. After washing, gently press the bra with a towel to get out excess water, rather than twisting or wringing out the fabric. Reshape the cups, and lay the bra flat on a towel or hang on a drying rack. Don’t put them on a radiator to speed up the process, and avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause the fabric to fade, and even damage the fibres.
Not storing them correctly
Even if you’ve followed all the steps and carefully washed and dried the bra perfectly, you can still cause damage by not storing it correctly; folding bras in half, squashing the cups, and squeezing them into overcrowded drawers can undo all your hard work. Stack padded cups in your drawer to preserve their shape, rather than flattening them down, keep hooks fastened so they don’t get caught on the lace of the one below.
By caring for your lingerie correctly, you can extend its lifespan and have it feeling like new for years to come.
Top photo by Kristen Plastique on Unsplash
