Bras-cleaning

Updated on August 14, 2012
B.P. asks from Columbia Station, OH
18 answers

okay mamas, how do you guys wash your bras? i gete mine at lane bryant, and i wear mine a few days (sometimes 4 or 5) before washing, and i throw in the washer and then in the dryer, not sure if i should just and wash and let dry or what. my bras last 3-6 months depending on how much i wear it and so forth, it seems like the less i wash the longer they last. i would like to wash them a little more often then i do now, like every other day. so how do you guys wash yours and how often?

1 mom found this helpful

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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

I have a special bra bag that I put mine in - it's sort of a short mesh cylinder that zips shut. Started using it after a wire worked its way out of a bra, into the guts of my washer, and shorted out the pump.
I wash everything in cold water with regular detergent, and I never use bleach.
I don't put them in the dryer.
I wear a bra several times before washing it. Like my jeans and towels, bras get washed when they've been used enough times that they start to smell funky.

3 moms found this helpful
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J.F.

answers from Bloomington on

I also wear mine for 2-3 days unless I've done something very sweaty. I throw them in with the regular laundry, and then hang them in the laundry room to dry. Mine last for nearly a year. Also have Lane Bryant bras.

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C.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

I put them in the gentle or hand wash cycle on my front loader and hang them to dry. You really should never put bras in the dryer. It damages the elasticity and support features. I was them about once a week, it varies.

3 moms found this helpful

I.X.

answers from Los Angeles on

I fasten them closed and use a lingerie bag, and put them in with my regular clothes (usually cold and gentle) then pull them out to air dry. the bag keeps the straps from tangeling and skipping the dryer keep the wires from bending and the cups to maintain their shape. I also wear mine for a few days. Mine can last over a year. My Nordstrom ones can last closer to 3 years. You've really been doing it all wrong. No more dryers! I buy mine at Nordstroms and Macys. The ones I buy from Victoria Secret only last 6 months. I also make sure to purchase bras that are tight on the loosest strap so as the elastic gives, I can tighten up the bra.

2 moms found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

I put mine and my daughter's bras in a pillow case, tie it closed, wash them with a regular wash, then hang them to dry.

:)

**I sweat too much to wear a bra more then one day! :(

1 mom found this helpful

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

I put mine in a zippered lingerie bag and wash them with everything else in cold water. I hang mine all up to dry, I never put them in the dryer.
I have Bravado nursing bras and they have lasted me a couple years now.

1 mom found this helpful
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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

I wash mine weekly - I cycle through them a couple of times before washing, maybe 2-3 wears per wash. I have a front load washer and I do warm/cold. I hang to dry. The bra lady at the store said the high dryer heat weakens the elastic, and that air drying would help them last longer.

1 mom found this helpful
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D..

answers from Charlotte on

The experts say to never dry your bra in the dryer because it shrinks it. (I agree with that.) I admit that I wear my bras for a year or two - I'm pretty attached to them! I think that yours would last longer if you didn't dry them.

Dawn

1 mom found this helpful
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B.B.

answers from Missoula on

As some have mentioned, you should never put your bras in the dryer. I just wash mine on gentle and air dry them and they usually last 12-18 months. I only wash mine after several wearings, though, the more you launder them the faster they wear out.

1 mom found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I never ever put them in the dryer. I put them in a small laundry bag and wash with the clothes I wash on gentle, cold cycle then hang up to dry.

The dryer will ruin the elasticity.

I buy Wacoal bras at $60+ each and I can get a good year out of them. I watch how they are wearing and the elasticity and I purchase as needed which is usually once a year. I buy 3 at a time when I replace.. nude, black and a nude for backup.

C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I wash mine in the washer and then I let them air dry. I know you are supposed to hand wash them, but I just don't have the time to that. Mine last around a year, sometimes a little longer

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❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I wash mine often. I usually throw them in the washer (should hand wash though) then hang them out to dry.

~.~.

answers from Tulsa on

I have Lane Bryant no wire bras. I usually wash them after 2-3 wears unless I have been doing something that made me really sweaty. Since they are no wire, I just throw them in the washer with all of the other clothes. Sometimes I'll hook the straps, but usually I just toss them in there. 99% of the time I will hang them to dry. I bought a tie hanger and I put them on there. If I'm in a hurry, I'll throw them in the dryer, but I never did that with my underwire bras.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I also buy mine at Lane Bryant but I wash mine on hot water with laundry soap and a little bleach. I dry them on perma press.

My old washing machine had it's own hot water heater inside, it was an Asko. They "hot" water temp was 90 degrees CELSIUS, so that means I wash my whites and light colors on a temperature that is almost boiling. 100 degrees CELSIUS is boiling.

I do not treat them any differently that any other item of clothing.

My bras are 6-8 years old. Are they worn out a bit? Yes, but 2 of the 4 are still in pretty good shape. Their elastic is still taut and the cups do support me very well.

The other 2 are a bit more stretchy but I just hook them on the second set of eyes and they do fine.

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I wash them in the regular laundry then air dry.

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A.H.

answers from Washington DC on

Bras are designed to last 6 months and then they loose their fit and the elastics are beginning to fail. You may get another month or two if you only handwash and airdry. Good luck.

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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I wash them with the regular laundry in a mesh bag. I hang them to dry.

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M.K.

answers from Columbus on

Well, I don't feel so bad now knowing I'm not the only one wearing a bra two or three (or more) days in a row!!! Altho, during the summer if I get sweaty I'll change every day.

As for washing, I just throw them in the washer with my other clothes I wash in cold water; toss them in the dryer for just a few miinutes. I've had a couple of my bras for more years than I'd like to admit but they still fit, have their shape and the straps are fine, so what the heck!! Supposedly the heat from dryers is bad for the elastic but I've never had any problems.

Good question!!!

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