How to care for your bras

Care for your bras and they will care for you – it’s true! Just a little special attention on a regular basis will help stop your underwire from snagging, your straps from losing elasticity and your cups from losing shape.

And if your bras remain in good condition, then you’ll look great, feel supported and be less likely to suffer from backache or unsightly lumps and bumps.

Here are Let’s Talk Breasts’ top tips on best bra care practice:

Washing

• Heat is the main cause of the elastic in your bras stretching and gradually becoming less supportive. High temperatures can also cause the material to shrink. Your underwear is exposed to heat in three ways – from your body as you wear it, and from the washing and drying process. The more your bras are exposed to heat, the sooner they will therefore lose elasticity, shape and effectiveness.
• Washing machines can wreak havoc with delicate fabrics and lace details, and the agitators can bend underwire out of shape. You may also find that, due to the pumps in the machine, your T-shirt bras come out with deeply unsexy ‘orange peel’ indentations rather than the smooth surface they are intended to provide.
• Also, the laundry detergent you choose is very important. Many detergents are way too harsh for the fragile fibres, fine fabrics and other special components found in modern bras. If possible, always opt for a delicates detergent – those recommended as safe for babies are ideal – or an organic fabric wash.
• Ideally your bras should be hand washed. This will help prolong their life as the temperature and agitation process will be far better controlled than in the washing machine.
• If you are unable to hand wash your lingerie, then machine wash in cool water, using a gentle detergent. If possible, place your bras in a washable net laundry bag, which will stop them getting tangled up in the other clothes and unnecessarily shaken up.
• Too much washing will shorten the life of your bra. If you aren’t engaged in a lot of physical activity, the weather’s not overly hot and you don’t tend to sweat very much, then it’s fine to wash your bra after every three or four uses. Sports bras should be washed after each wearing though, likewise you should increase your laundering frequency if you find you are perspiring more than usual.

Drying

• Never physically wring out your bras to dry, as this can easily bend them out of shape.
• Ideally your bras should be air dried, and never on a radiator as the heat could again damage the elastic.
• Avoid using the tumble dryer if at all possible, although if you absolutely must use it, make sure it’s on the lowest possible setting.

General care

• As the heat from your body will also gradually stretch the elastic, Lycra and Spandex elements of your bras, allow them time to recover by not wearing the same one on consecutive days. It’s best to wear them every three days at the most, but if you have a couple of old favourites you rely on all the time, then at the very least, rotate them every other day.
• Only wear your bra for the purpose for which it’s intended. Normal bras are not designed to withstand the shock and strain of sports; conversely sports bras are not designed to be worn all day, every day.
• Give your bra – and your body – a break by not wearing it to bed. For more information on whether or not it’s a good idea to sleep in your bra, read our article Comfortable Slumbers.
• Finally, please be aware that you will receive the best support from your bra during the first six months of its life. You can’t expect a bra to last forever, no matter how much you spent on it, so keep yourself properly supported by regularly checking your bras for effectiveness and investing in some replacements if necessary.