Caring For Your Bra
A bra is, in many ways, an investment. A good quality bra is a wonder of design and engineering, not to mention, in many cases, an object of beauty. And a good quality bra can be expensive – very expensive.
As such, your bras deserve to be handled with care – to keep them doing their job and looking their best. Throwing them in with the regular wash is not the best way to look after these essential women’s garments!
- Hand washing is the preferred method of laundering your bras. Soak in lukewarm water with a gentle detergent for up to an hour; gently rub fabric to remove any dirt. Rinse thoroughly in cool water; use towels to gently remove excess water. Never wring them out or stretch them. Never use bleach. Hang to dry.
- NEVER put bras in the clothes dryer! The heat breaks down spandex and shape and elasticity will be lost.
- If you must machine wash your bras, place with like colours in a lingerie bag, with hooks done up, and using a cool or cold delicate cycle with gentle detergent. Reshape moulded cups with your hands.
- It’s important to wash them after every two to three wears in summer; four to six in winter at a pinch. The more you sweat, the more your bras will need to be laundered. Sweat decomposes fibres, rusts wires, and leaves a sour odour which does not wash away. Wash sports bras after each wear (if wearing them for actual exercise!).
- Use an alcohol free laundry detergent.
- Have a selection of bras to rotate – more to wear and less washing to bother with. Don’t wear the same bra more than one day in a row: bras need to be aired out and also to regain their shape.
- Bra storage is important too. Store moulded cup bras in a drawer; never invert on cup into the other. Stack bras one atop the other, cups supporting cups.
- Replace your bras every six to nine months – and no less than once per year. Elastic disintegrates over time and the straps and band will not offer adequate support.
