Why You Should Wash Your Bra After Every Wear
Yesterday over on my Instagram Stories I posted a quiz for my weekly #FitTipTuesday series. One of the questions was “how often should you wash your bra?” The correct answer is after every or every other wear. Many of you were shocked (and a little angry tbh) by this! So today, I thought I’d explain with the help of bra fitting expert and owner, Emily Constantine Doren of Lace & Day.
why wash your bras?
Most of the support in a bra comes from the band. The key fiber in the band is Lycra, which is a porous fiber. During regular wear, skin oils/debris, lotion, and sweat get lodged in the pores of the fabric. Washing often (after every or every other wear) will keep those pores in the Lycra clean, therefore maintaining the elasticity and support in the bra. If you wear a bra continuously without washing, you can irreparably damage the band and loose the support and fit of the bra.
CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF…
Regular washing will actually extend the life of your bras. Quality bras, when cared for properly and worn on rotation, will last you about 12-18 months. Poor quality bras (think Target, Walmart, Victoria’s Secret) will only last about 4-6 months (or less!) if you take care of them. Quality bras, when NOT cared for properly, will not last as long as they should!
OKAY Fine, I’ll start washing my bras — but not so fast!
What you use to wash your bras (and how you wash them) also makes a big difference. Avoid any harsh chemicals that can damage the synthetic fibers (Woolite is a MAJOR no-no). Traditional detergents (All, Tide, etc.) are designed for spun fibers, like cotton. They get the gunk off of the fibers but not out of the pores. Look for a surfactant wash – this technology binds to the gunk in the pores and effectively cleans the fibers – think of it like a Biore pore strip for your bras!
Pro tip: these washes are best for anything with a high Lycra contents (bras, panties, hosiery, swimsuits, and workout gear) but they will clean anything! My personal favorite is Forever New, also available in Unscented. Other acceptable washes Lace & Day encountered include The Laundress, Soak, Eucalan, and Norwex.
What’s the best way to wash?
Hand wash OR machine wash with cold water on the delicate cycle. Emily recommends clipping the backs of your bras and/or using a mesh lingerie bag. Doing so protects your bras from getting caught of the rest of your machine load which can damage your bras and the other items. Always be sure to air dry – either flat or hanging – heat melts elastic!
To be honest, I usually wash my bras after every other wear but I’ve gotten into a great habit of washing my bras + undergarments each week. It’s the little things that add up and allow the investment in yourself to last!
Any questions? Leave them below! Special thanks to Emily from Lace & Day for sharing her expertise and making sure I had my facts straight. If you’re in the Buffalo area, definitely stop by their shop for a fitting. xx CMK