9 Rules For Washing Your Bras: What Your Lingerie Needs From You

By Emma Gray

It’s an unparalleled relationship. You’re supported, consistently, each and every day. You’ve probably been going steady for years, and you never have to make those oh-so-awkward parental introductions. Yes readers, we’re obviously talking about the tried-and-true commitment that exists between you and your bra.

The average woman owns nine bras but only wears six of them regularly. When you compare those statistics to the number of other outfit essentials you own, it becomes clear that extending the longevity of your lingerie is probably a good idea — especially as those undergarments can get quite pricey. Redbook Magazine reports that that women spend around $16 billion on bras each year, worldwide.

In an effort to help you increase the longevity of your lingerie, we spoke to a few experts who helped us put together a list of nine hard and fast rules to follow when it comes to bra care.

“Most of us have never been schooled in how to take care of our bras,” said Susan Nethero, founder of Intimacy boutiques, myintimacy.com (aka “The Bra Whisperer“).

In an effort to help you increase the longevity of your lingerie, we spoke to a few experts who helped us put together a list of nine hard and fast rules to follow when it comes to bra care….”

9 Tips to Washing Your Bra:

1. Wash Them Often…Enough
2. Hand Wash Your Bras…If Possible
3. Always Use Gentle Cycle
4. Clasp Your Bras Before Washing
5. Take Advantage of Laundry Bags
6. Stay Away from Bleach
7. Don’t Mix Your Whites & Colors
8. Keep Your Loads Light
9. Always Hang Dry

Although our experts were willing to stray from the “always hand wash” rule, they insisted that hang drying your bras is the only way to go. “Never ever put a bra in the dryer,” said Nethero. Kirby also said that extreme heat — which is used in a mechanical dryer — was a major problem when it came to caring for delicate items.

Instead, hang dry your bras by the strap or lay them to dry on a towel, cups facing up. Make sure that your bras are properly reshaped before you dry them.

“If [your bra cup] gets dented [while being washed], just take your fingers and gently smooth it out so that it looks like a cup again,” said Boorstein.

Original post 9 Rules for Washing Your Bras: What Your Lingerie Needs from You.