Check the care label first, but many bras are machine washable. All you need is a lingerie bag! If placed in the machine freely, bras and undergarments with lace details and trims can start to fray and unravel due to friction against other garments in the wash.
The best way to protect your bras during a wash cycle is to place them inside a mesh laundry bag and wash using mild detergent and cool water on the delicate cycle setting, making sure to air dry afterwards. These precautions can help protect the bra's shape and structure, but it does not guarantee it.
How often you need to wash your bras isn't an exact science. But dermatologist Alok Vij, MD, says that as a general rule, you should wash them after every two to three wears.
As a general rule of thumb, it's important to have a healthy rotation of bras at the ready so that you're never left blindsided — and bare chested. All things considered, we'd suggest owning 11 bras in total in a couple of distinctive styles that range from everyday to on-occasion.
Most people have between one and four special occasion bras, though some may have more depending on their style and what type of clothes they like to wear. You might own anywhere between five and 15 (or even more) bras. It all depends on your lifestyle and your preferences.
1. Wash Bras in a Lingerie Bag. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to machine-wash bras without putting them in a mesh bag first. Owing to their straps and elasticity of the same, bras tend to get tangled up with other items as they are tossed around in the wash.
The best alternative to a mesh laundry bag is a pillowcase. Putting your delicates in a pillowcase allows the water and detergent to soak through the pillowcase and wash the items inside. The pillowcase also protects them from being thrown about by the spinning drum.
"The 'rule' is that a bra should be washed after every wear, since it's directly in contact with the body," laundry expert Mary Marlowe Leverette told PureWow. "Body oils, perspiration, and bacteria are transferred to the fabric and if left in the fibers will begin to break down the fabric—especially elastic fibers."
Your detergent is too strong. “Bear in mind that most 'regular' detergent may be a bit harsh for your bras, and it can weaken the fabric over time,” says Zappe. “We recommend a gentle lingerie wash that's specifically designed to protect your delicates.
"By not washing bras frequently, body soils like sweat, sebum, and skin cells can build up on bras, which can eventually lead to malodors and even residues and dinginess," Wang warns. And, according to Miller, any bacteria left on the bra can lead to annoying skin problems, such as "irritation or rash."
Bras are delicate, so use an appropriate programme. A lot of washing machines offer delicates cycles which use cool water to wash, reducing any heat damage to foam or elastic. A gentle detergent is always best for bras. If you spot any stains or marks, you can always pre-treat these with a gentle soap.
About a third of women surveyed said they wash their bras every two weeks — but nearly half of the women surveyed wash them less often than that. (Sports bras are another story. Nearly all the women surveyed wash those after every workout, which seems like a good idea).
However, breaking into a sweat isn't the only thing that should prompt you to change bras. While regular bra-changing isn't a science, dermatologist Alok Vij recommends switching bras every 2 to 3 “wears,” with a “wear” being when the old bra begins to: Relax its shape.
"If you don't wear a bra, your breasts will sag," says Dr. Ross. "If there's a lack of proper, long-term support, breast tissue will stretch and become saggy, regardless of breast size." Still, both experts agree that multiple factors play into if and when sagging (technical term: "ptosis") occurs, bra-wearing aside.
The primary use for mesh laundry bags is to protect delicate fabrics in the wash. Placing items inside a mesh bag prevents them from getting damaged, especially if you have a mixed laundry load. Another way to use them is to separate certain articles of clothing from the rest of the laundry.
Use a pillowcase. “A pillowcase works as a great substitute for a lingerie bag. Toss your bras inside, tie a loose knot, and wash with lukewarm water on a gentle cycle,” says Macbale. Or, wash freely with delicates.
The mesh is heat-resistant and allows for water to permeate the bag freely, so your clothes will be just as clean as they would without the bag—but without the clothing murder scene. Delicate fabrics are preserved and embellishments last longer. Mesh laundry bags are a definite win-win.
Bras are particularly troublesome to wash because the material is delicate and easily damaged, and the hooks are dangerous for your other clothes in the wash. Securing them in a washable bag protects both the bras and your other fabrics. Plus, it will keep the band and straps from getting stretched out!
And finally, only wash bras with underwear; no other garments, towels or sheets should be in the machine with them. That may mean the machine is only half- or one-third full, but it also means you'll reduce the amount of damage to your undergarments, Harrington says.
Wash Delicates Separately
Don't wash your bras and lace underwear with your shirts and jeans. They need to be cared for differently, so separating them will ensure that their structures are maintained and that any metal, plastic, or elastic components are kept intact.
Globally, a natural female breast has an average size somewhere between a large "A" and a smaller "B" in the US size system. According to European or Australian classifications, this would be a "B".
It's generally recommended that a bra should last anywhere between 6-9 months, although we think that with good care your bras should last a lot longer. We encourage you to look after them as much as they look after you - extending the life of your clothes by even a small amount has a significant environmental benefit.
How Often You Should Wash Your Sheets (And How to Get Them Really Clean) Experts recommend washing or changing sheets once a week.