What Is the Best Way to Wash Bras?

Updated on September 07, 2010
P.F. asks from Southlake, TX
14 answers

Hi Moms!

For years I have been just tossing my bras into the laundry (inside a netted bag) and washing with "like" colors and hanging dry. However, I just purchased new bras, and since they cost a bit more since the last time I purchased them, I want to make sure I take care of them. I have heard of people hand washing, but honestly, I have no idea how to do that. Any suggestions on the best way to wash either in the washing machine or hand washing???

Thanks a bunch!

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J.J.

answers from Phoenix on

I used to hand wash my bras, but I feel they get cleaner putting them in the lingerie bag (hooking all the hooks) and washing them in the washer with like colors. I hang them dry.

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A.S.

answers from Youngstown on

Hand washing....hands down! Your bra will maintain its shape and those underwires will stay put and not work their way out to stab your very soul. A little Woolite, warm water and there you go. Your bras will last soo much longer this way too!

3 moms found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

yes hand washing is the best (if you have the time). It's pretty easy - either get a bucket or fill your sink with cool water, add a touch of woolite (don't need much), place bras in water and 'agitate" water with them (e.g. dip bras in/out of water 4-5x, shake under soapy water, pay attention to part of bra that goes under your arms and under your breasts (where sweat builds up). Rinse in cool water and hand to dry. I don't have the time so i have a mesh bag that I got in the laundry section of the store (e.g meijers, target, walmart, etc carry the mesh bags) for ~$3. I place the bras in the mesh bag, zip it closed and wash with like colors. However I ALWAYS find time to hang to dry.

hope that helps! :)

1 mom found this helpful
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M.W.

answers from St. Cloud on

Just do the gentlest cycle your washer has and then hang them to dry (in the house OR outside.) It's the dryer that really wrecks them!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.K.

answers from Phoenix on

I wash mine in the washing machine with like colors and then lay them out to dry. They last forever that way.

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C.P.

answers from Provo on

I wash my bras in the delicate cycle in the washer and use woolite. I put it on a small load and use cold water. I hang them to dry afterwards.

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S.R.

answers from Phoenix on

I got some really expensive bras and they sold me Forever New, found at Macy's and Dillards. You will love it! I rotate my bras and wash them once a week. Fill your bathroom sink with water, toss in a couple tablespoons of Forever new and let soak for an hour. Swish it around, rinse, and hang dry. Your bras will last forever!

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N.K.

answers from Phoenix on

I started using a product called a Bra Baby, which I found at Bed Bath and Beyond. It is an oval shaped ball with a smaller ball inside of it, and the purpose of it is to protect the bra and help maintain its shape while it is in the washer. I used to put my bra in that, then throw the whole ball into a netted bag since sometimes the straps fall out of the ball, and I didn't want them to get snagged on the agitator. The ball is kind of a pain to open and close, but I managed to work with it since I wanted my expensive bras to last as long as possible. However, I now have a tiny stackable W/D and the ball will no longer fit :( sigh! Guess it's hand washing for the time being!

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K.R.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi, P. -
I just made this change myself. I bought 4 new expensive bras several months ago and was instructed by the bra fitter to NEVER, EVER, EVER put them in the washer OR dryer. What a pain, I thought, but it hasn't been that big a deal. I bought a cheapy wooden laundry drying rack at Wal-Mart. I soak all the bras in mild (and wonderfully fragrant) soap in my bathroom sink, set up the wooden rack inside the bathtub, rinse and drip dry them. Do not wring them! I hang them completely dripping wet and they dry overnight. They smell wonderful, and have retained all of their "spring" for many months. They look and feel as good as the day I bought them. I highly recommend it, and as silly as it sounds, taking this special care of my pretty bras feels like taking special care of me somehow. I thought I'd hate it, but I don't, and it's worth the extra few minutes a week to do it. Take care.

A.G.

answers from Houston on

i just close mine, put em in the regular cylcle and hang dry., i guess you could use woolite, in the sink and hang dry.,,i dont have the patience for that, lol

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J.C.

answers from Tucson on

I spend a pretty good amount on my bras from Victoria Secret. All of mine have padding and underwires. I make sure the hooks are together and throw them in the washer with a few other like color items and do on cold, delicate. Then I hang them to dry. I've never had any problems. That's one of the good things about the more expensive bras- they're made a little better! They all say hand wash, but I definitely don't have time for that! Good luck!

T.N.

answers from Albany on

Hi P., there's five people in my house and laundry is a constant, so while I KNOW the best thing for intimates is hand washing (even if you have a 'handwash' setting on your machine), I put my and my daughter's bras in a pillow case and just tie the open end closed, then air dry. Seems to do the trick. Don't new bras just make you feel like you have a whole new lease on life?! Then there's that sad moment when you realize your new bras aren't so new anymore! Enjoy!

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R.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

I used to hand wash mine and now that I have a special bra bag (netted circle bag with wire top and bottom) I put them in the washing machine on the gentle cycle. I then air dry them.
I wouldn't use a normal netted bag for delicates as I don't think they provide enough support.

K.B.

answers from Milwaukee on

I also use the bra bag (just the netted bag) to wash my bras... instead of doing them with like colors I throw them in with my dedicates. Half of my shirts are "dry clean" only but have found that I can wash them on the delicate cycle (I use to never buy dry clean only things but some how it happened). Anyway throw them in that netting bag and but them in on the delicate cycle.

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