You Can Make Your Bras Last Twice As Long With A Few Simple Tricks
Let's face the facts: Washing a bra the right way is hard. Sure, it's easy to throw them in the machine and hope they come out in tip-top condition, but that rarely happens. (RIP to all those broken bands and lost padding.
But in case you didn't know—which, if you're reading this you probs didn't—every bra comes with a set of washing instructions based on the fabrication of the bra, says ThirdLove Chief Creative Officer Ra'el Cohen. It's important to follow those directions, even when you're, uh, strapped for time.
Because, turns out, your mom was right all along: It truly is what's inside that counts. "Most bras—I would say 99 percent of bras—have spandex in them," Cohen explains. Spandex is a pretty fragile fabric.
More specifically, the fibers are very sensitive to heat. "Spandex will break down if it's washed at a really high temperature or put in the dryer," Cohen says. "You can literally cut the life of your bra in half by doing that." (Yikes!)
As for how frequently you wash your bras: completely up to you and your skin sensitivity, according to Cohen. If you tend to produce (totally normal) underboob sweat, you might want to wash your bras more often than someone who doesn't. But again, your choice—wearing a lived-in bra regularly likely isn't going to do you any harm.
Now for the more technical part, like how to actually make your bras so fresh and so clean, turn to this expert guide for every type of bra in your underwear drawer.
How to wash an underwire bra:
Cohen recommends hand-washing all bras, but if machine-washing is your only option (or, let's be real, you just don't want to DIY), pop all your bras with an underwire in a small mesh laundry bag. That'll help prevent the wires from losing their shape and getting tangled around the machinery.
Also be sure to latch the hook and eyes together. That will keep the bra from catching on the laundry bag or the garment itself. The same goes for washing your balconettes (a.k.a. a shelf bra), which often have delicate features like lace.
How to wash a non-wire bra:
If your wireless bra has foam padding, don't even think about throwing it in the washing machine.
Wash it by hand because "foam can sometimes get a little bit wonky or misshapen over time," says Cohen says. So, if you want to keep your cups pristine (which, trust, you do), it's time to get handsy. (FYI: That's the case for any bra with padding.)
To hand-wash, fill your sink with lukewarm water and a little bit of detergent, and let your bra soak for up to an hour. Gently rub the material, and when you're done, put it on a towel to dry.
No pads? No problem. Machine-wash it in a laundry bag on cold. Again, make sure the clasps are hooked, and of course, allow it to air dry.
How to wash a sports bra:
Sports bras typically have a very high concentration of spandex, so you'll want to machine wash them on cold, mkay? But before you just toss it in, remove the pads.
"Those can collect a lot of sweat," Cohen explains, so it's best to let them suds up solo.
Most sports bras don't have wires, but high-impact and running ones sometimes do. If there are any closures, put the piece in a laundry bag to prevent it from getting tangled on anything. (Those fancy sports bras tend to be expensive, so you def want to keep it intact.)
Washing sports bras? Skip the fabric softener...
How to wash a bralette:
For your precious bralettes, machine-wash them on cold, or hand-wash them. And just like their sporty sisters, if they have removable pads, take those out and wash 'em separately in your load.
Got clasps? Again, make sure they're hooked together before putting in a laundry bag and throwing it in with your other clothes. The daintiness of a bralette can make it super easy to snag.
If you like the free-wheeling comfort of bandeaus (which, who doesn't?), follow the same recommendations as the bralette.
How to wash a strapless bra:
Chances are you're not wearing a strapless bra every day (praise the lord). In fact, Cohen estimates you're only putting it on a dozen or so times a year.
Since you're not wearing them on the reg, "you really should just take the time to hand wash them," she says.
Why? The sticky, silicone elastic on the lining of your bra—ya know, the thing that keeps it up—can collect lint in the washer that eventually wears it down, Cohen says. So be a big girl and take your strapless bra to the sink.
How to wash a "T-shirt bra":
Most women have at least few bras designed for everyday wear that they practically live in. "That's really your workhorse bra," Cohen says. "You probably have a few in your rotation, and you're wearing those on a daily basis."
The best thing you can do for these guys: Let them rest, Cohen says. Have a selection of three to five t-shirt bras so you can alternate and not wear down each undergarment too much. (Otherwise, you'll probably have to replace it well under the usual six-month mark.)
When you do wash these, hand-washing is best since it's more gentle. But as long as you use a mesh laundry bag, you can pop them in the washing machine and rest easy.
P.S. The composition of a t-shirt bra varies: Some have foam padding or wires, some have plastic front closures, etc. So follow the same checklist (remove pads, hook clasps)—the extra seconds of TLC are worth it for your go-to BFFs.
How to wash a maternity bra:
Maternity (a.k.a. nursing) bras are not only put through the ringer (breastfeeding isn't exactly mess-proof), but they can also vary in style. That can make it super difficult to know exactly how to wash yours.
Some of them have wires, which means you'll want to put them in a laundry bag and wash on a low-spin cycle in cold water. Non-wired ones, however, are best hand-washed.
The key to the maternity bras, Cohen says, is to have three or four, so new mamas don't have wash the same bra every day. You've got way more important stuff to deal with, anyway.
Speaking of maternity clothes, these are some of the absolute best:
Now, that you've mastered the art of bra washing, time to take your girls out on the town. After all, they've never looked—or felt—better.
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