How do you wash a bra? Proper bra care includes either hand washing or machine washing on a gentle cycle in a bra bag, and the line dry or lay the bra flat to dry. Bras are the single most important material...
Bras are the single most important material of clothing in a women's life. Without a bra, a woman feels exposed and uncomfortable. If she is wearing a really comfortable bra, then it is a prized possession and one that will be worn again and again. If bras are taken care of properly then their life is prolonged.
"It seems today women have absolutely no time," says Norah Alberto, a senior style director for Maiden form Brands, Inc. She has worked for the company for eight years and knows practically everything there is to know about a bra shape or intimate apparel pieces. "I know everyone throws their bra in the washing machine, but typically it is supposed to be hand washed or put in a gentle cycle and then line dried."
By hand washing a bra it preserves it because it is a delicate piece of clothing. Under wire bras should be hand washed because the wire can eventually tear through the bra and ruin it. Use gentle soap and cool water when hand washing a bra and use mild detergent and luke warm water if putting the bra in the gentle cycle of the washing machine. Super strong detergents can cause stretching in some materials. Also, by using harsh detergents, it may cause irritation to the nipple or surrounding skin. When placing the bra in the washing machine, fasten the hooks on the bra to prevent it from catching on to other clothes and delicate fabrics. Place the bra in a lingerie bag to keep it safe and free of other clothes.
Never put your bra in the dryer. The bra can get twisted and lose its shape or some materials may shrink. By washing your bra after each use, it will prevent discoloring. However, frequent washing and body chemistry cause straps and bands to lose their elasticity, which compromises the comfort and fit of a bra. When first buying a bra, wash it because you never know who tried it on before you. An everyday bra should last six months to a year and a less frequently used bra should last longer, two to three years. Have several bras to wear in rotation, if not, then you will constantly have to buy a new bra.
"Bras need to be cared for, you can't just toss them into the washer and hope for the best," says Alberto. "If a bra is put into a dryer you will destroy it faster than normal wear and tear. The heat does something to the rubber and soon it will fall apart."
By line drying cotton, under wire or styles with trims, it will prevent shrinkage, wire distortion or fraying. If you are not sure how to care for a specific bra, then read the labels to make sure what you are doing is correct.
If the bra is not fitting well anymore, for instance it starts to ride up in back, wrinkles in cup or slips off the shoulder, then toss it. These are signs of irreparable stretching and fabric weakening.
