I’m pretty sure there was a time in my life where I went weeks, maybe even months, without washing my bras. Gross, I know. But I had no idea how to wash them properly. I was young. Stupid. Let’s just move on, shall we?
When you finally find bras that are worth your money, taking care of them becomes your job. For real, though. Good bras are pricey, especially when you are an “odd size” or large chested. You gotta pay to keep those ladies in, so you want to keep your bras in tip top shape!
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How many bras should you own?
Ideally, you would want at least three bras to rotate through, making it so you wear each one twice ish per week. Wearing the same bra daily puts a lot of wear and pressure on it, and you are more likely to run down the elastic or have underwire issues quicker.
Personally, I have found the following to be my sweet spot for daily use.
- Two nude t-shirt bras
- One nude plunge bra
- One nude strapless bra
- One black bra
Anything on top of that is for fun. I have some really pretty lace bras that make date night a little extra special, if you know what I mean. And I have a few bras that I have that are printed or patterned. But you want to have that core bra wardrobe to get you through the week.
How often should I be washing my bras?
Every two or three wears.
Yep. It is often, but that equates to just once a week if you have a few to rotate through. Think of bra washing like you would washing your make up brushes. A necessary evil that you do every Sunday night to set yourself up for success.
Now, let’s get to the dirty business, shall we? There are a few steps, and it may feel intimidating, but it’s actually super quick and painless.
STEP 1
Fill a large wash basin with warm water. Not too hot.
Let’s be real for a hot second though. I usually just do this in my kitchen sink. It allows for a bit less mess and more bras to be washed at once. This cute little container is all for aesthetics.
Step 2
Use a gentle detergent. You can use something like Dreft baby detergent, or one specifically designed for lingerie. I really love the smell of The Laundress Delicate Wash, and it seems to do a great job getting my bras clean.
STEP 3
Pre treat any spots on your bra that may need some additional love. This is usually the straps, band and where the cup sits under your arm. You can use your detergent to just add a bit and gently rub it in. I love using The Laundress Wash & Stain Bar for this.
STEP 4
Submerge your bra and let sit in the water for a bit. If you have been regularly washing your bras, five to ten minutes should be fine. If it’s been a while or you’ve been a little extra hot and sweaty, let it soak for 30 minutes.
STEP 5
Give those bras a little scrub. Especially where you might get a little sweater – around the underwire cups, the band and the straps.
STEP 6
Squeeze and rinse. Gently squeeze out the soapy water. Run it under the water in the sink or refill your basin and rinse well. Then gently squish out any excess water again.
STEP 7
Dry your bra by patting with a large towel. Give it a squeeze or two and try to remove any extra water. You don’t want your bras to take too long to dry or they could end up a little mildewy instead of fresh.
STEP 8
Hand to dry. I usually just plop mine on a hanger and let it dry in a window. The sun will help remove any dark spots that may have appeared from sweat. Is there anything better than sun dried laundry?
That’s it! It may sound like a lot, but it is honestly fast and pretty efficient. Especially when you are washing multiple bras at a time. Taking the extra care to hand wash your underwire bras will help them last so much longer than if you were to just toss in the laundry.
I’m curious to know how you wash your own bras!
Proper care can help bras last longer and provide better support, making it a valuable topic for those who wear them regularly.