When should you wash your bra?
The regularity of washing bras swings between personal comfort and the day's exertion. If your day winds down with little to sweat about, you might stretch it to 3-5 wears before a wash. However, on a hot day or after a rigorous gym session, placing them straight into the wash would be a good call.
There are a handful of ways to wash bras without damaging them. While hand washing is often deemed the safest, machine washing can also be just as gentle if done right. Let's explore the different methods to keep your bras clean and supportive.
How to hand wash bras
Hand washing is a gentle method that helps in maintaining the form and longevity of your bras. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Soaking in lukewarm water
Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add gentle detergent. Submerge your bras, ensuring they are fully soaked. Allow them to bask in soapy water for about 20 to 30 minutes to loosen any oils, sweat, or other residues.
Step 2: Gentle rinsing
Once soaked, hold each bra under cool running water, rinsing them gently. Ensure to rid them of all soap suds, maintaining a tender grip to preserve their form.
Step 3: Gentle drying
After rinsing, gently press your bras against the basin to remove excess water. Avoid wringing or twisting as this can distort their shape. For drying, either lay them flat on a towel or hang them by the centre gore, not the straps, to maintain their shape. Allow them to air dry naturally, away from direct sunlight which can cause fading.
Additional tips
- Opt for a detergent crafted for delicate fabrics to maintain the fabric integrity of your bras.
- If your bras have stains, treat them gently with a stain remover suitable for delicate fabrics before soaking.
- Periodically check the water temperature during soaking and rinsing, ensuring it remains lukewarm and cool respectively to prevent any fabric damage.
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How to wash bras in the washing machine
Machine washing can be a time-saver as well as an energy-saver, and when done right, it can be one of the most efficient ways to care for your bras. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Preparing your bras
Fasten the hooks on your bras to prevent them from catching on other items. Place them in a mesh laundry bag to avoid tangling and snagging. It's advisable to wash bras with other delicate items to keep the load gentle. See more useful clothing care tips in our article.
Step 2: Washing your bras
Insert the bag in the washing machine and select a gentle or delicate cycle. Cool water is preferable as hot water can cause shrinking and distortions to your bras. Use a mild detergent, ensuring it’s suitable for delicate fabrics.
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Step 3: Proper drying after machine wash
Once the cycle is complete, take out your bras from the bag. Hang them by the centre gore or lay them flat on a towel to air dry. Avoid using the dryer as the heat can break down elastics and cause deformations.
- It's advisable not to overload the washing machine; give your bras plenty of space to move around.
- Place your bras in a mesh laundry bag to prevent them from getting tangled with other clothes and to provide a gentle washing environment.
- Skip the fabric softener, as it can leave residue on your bras, affecting their elasticity and fit.
- Choose a delicate cycle with cool water and mild detergent to provide a gentle wash, preserving your bras' structure.
- If your bras have underwires, check them before and after washing to ensure they haven’t become misshapen or are poking out.
Additional tips for washing sports bras, foam bras, and newly-purchased bras
Caring for specialised bras, like sports bras, foam bras, and newly-purchased bras, requires a touch of extra attention beyond general bra care.
How to wash sports bras
After a workout, pre-treat any sweat stains with a mild, enzyme-based stain remover before soaking. If the sports bra contains padding, remove it if possible and wash it separately to ensure thorough cleaning.
Air-dry sports bras away from direct heat and sunlight to maintain their elasticity. Additionally, if your sports bra has reflective material for nighttime visibility, turn it inside out before washing to preserve the reflectivity.
How to wash foam bras
These require gentle handling due to their delicate foam structure. Avoid twisting or squeezing them during washing and drying, as this can damage the foam.
When machine washing, use a lingerie bag and wash with similarly textured garments to prevent the foam from getting crushed. When air-drying foam bras, lay them flat on a towel in their natural shape to prevent the foam from warping.
How to wash newly-purchased bras
It's advisable to wash them before the first wear. This removes any residual chemicals or dyes used during manufacturing, which might irritate the skin.
Hand wash newly-purchased bras separately in cold water with a gentle detergent to check for colorfastness. This initial wash also helps set the fabric's shape and elasticity.
Check out more tips to wash your favourite items in the washing machine:
- How to wash and dry jeans correctly
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Maintaining your bras post-washing
Preserving the life and quality of your bras doesn't stop at washing. How you handle them post-washing plays a pivotal role in ensuring they remain supportive and comfortable.
Storing your bras properly
Storing bras properly is crucial to maintaining their shape and functionality. It's best to lay them flat in a drawer or hang them. Avoid folding them as this can cause creases or bends in the moulding, especially in padded or moulded bras.
Rotate your bra usage
Having a rotation of bras you wear allows each bra a chance to return to its original shape as the elastic fibres get a break from stretching. This way, each bra lasts longer, and you also get to enjoy a variety of styles.
Avoid folding your bras
Folding bras, especially moulded or padded ones, can lead to creases or dents in the cups. Always lay them flat or hang them up to retain their shape.
Repair minor damages
Sometimes minor damage like a loose thread or a small tear might occur. Fixing these small issues promptly can prevent them from turning into larger problems that can make the bra unwearable.
Avoiding heat: Protect your bras
Heat can break down the elastic fibres of your bras, so it's essential to keep them away from direct heat sources like radiators or the sun. Always air dry your bras in a cool, shaded area.
Experience gentle bra care with Electrolux
Caring for your bras is essential to keep them supportive and comfortable. With Electrolux washing machines, experience a blend of sleek design and efficient functionality, ensuring your bras receive the tender care they deserve.
See our comprehensive Washing machine buying guide to choose the right one for your family.
Delicate wash cycles
Electrolux washing machines are equipped with a variety of wash cycles to cater to the delicate nature of your bras, ensuring they are cleaned gently yet thoroughly, extending their lifespan.
Spot-on detergent dispensing
Eliminate the guesswork with our precise detergent dispensing system. It measures the exact amount of detergent needed for each load, ensuring an effective clean while being gentle on your bra's fabric, preserving its softness and elasticity.
Soft drum design
The gentle drum design in Electrolux machines ensures your bras retain their shape and comfort after every wash cycle. Its soft contours and precise engineering help in reducing the friction between the fabric and the drum, ensuring a gentle wash.
Green efficiency
Electrolux machines are designed with energy efficiency at their core, providing thorough cleanliness while conserving energy. This aligns with environmentally friendly practices, making your bra-washing routine a step towards a greener planet.
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- No more visible detergent residue with UltraMix*.
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- No more visible detergent residue with UltraMix*.
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Frequently asked questions about washing bras
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Should you wash bras in hot or cold water?
Cold water is recommended when washing bras as it helps in maintaining their structure and preventing any potential shrinkage that hot water could cause. It's gentle on the fabric, ensuring the bras remain supportive and comfortable.
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Should bras be washed with fabric softener?
Avoid using fabric softener when washing bras. Fabric softener can leave a residue that affects the elasticity and fit of your bras, which in turn, can alter the level of support they provide.
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How do you deep clean a bra?
For a more thorough cleaning, soak your bras in warm soapy water for about 30 minutes before hand washing or machine washing them. This pre-soak helps in loosening any oils, sweat, and residues, making the subsequent washing more effective.
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How do you dry bras after washing?
Air drying is the best method to dry bras. Either hang them by the centre gore or lay them flat on a towel to air dry. Avoid using a tumble dryer as the heat can damage the fabric, elastic, and any plastic or metal parts on the bra, such as underwires or clasps. Check out our complete guide on the types of fabrics that you can put in the dryer.
