5 Ways To Extend The Life Of Your Favorite Bra
Have you ever found the perfect bra? Whether it’s that t-shirt bra that looks good under everything or that lace plunge bra that is perfect for date night — we all have a favorite bra. Today I’m offering some tips to help you preserve your favorite bras so they continue to serve you well over their lifetime. Just follow these tips and you’ll never have to worry about a popped underwire or stretched elastic again!
1. Buy a good lingerie wash.
While you can wash your bras with baby shampoo in a pinch, a good lingerie wash is better. Well made lingerie wash both removes dirt and helps preserve the fabrics and elastics in your bra so it holds up better over time. As a bonus, a great lingerie wash can make your bathroom smell incredible for hours afterwards! There are lots of different versions of lingerie wash out there, so it can be fun to test out different options and find your favorite.
Lingerie washes come in scented and non-scented versions, as well as types where you have to rinse your lingerie and types where you don’t have to. Experiement with what works for your style and sensitivities to find your perfect version.
2. Don’t wash with hot water.
Heat is the enemy of elastic so never ever wash your bra with anything but cold or lukewarm water! Stretch fabrics and elastic are what ensure that your bra fits so well so you really want to be gentle with them and keep them away from heat when you wash and dry them. Be patient, wash in cool water and enjoy the longevity of your bra!
Remember that when you wash your bra you should swish it around gently and soak it for at least fifteen minutes to get all of the dirt out!
Related: Bra Care 101: How To Wash Bras
3. Never put your bra in the dryer.
You never want to put your bra through the dryer due to the high heat. We all cheat on hand washing now and then but do not cheat on air-drying your bras! If you want to speed up the drying process try using a towel to squeeze all of the excess water out of your bra before you put it out to dry.
If you can, try to try your bra flat. If you don’t have the space for that then you can hang it by the straps without letting it twist around. This is especially important for t-shirt bras and moulded cup bras that can crease and wrinkle permanently when pushed out of shape.
4. Don’t wear the same bra two days in a row.
Bra fitting boutiques don’t try and sell you multiple bras just to make money — they do it so you can rotate between them to prolong their lifespan! Rotating through your bras will make each bra last longer. Even if you only have a few bras that you love, try hard to alternate which days you wear them so the stretch elements have time to pop back into shape.
If you can’t afford to buy multiple bras at the same time then make sure to write down the size and model of the one you love so you can look for another down the road! It is always easier to rotate among multiple bras than to try and preserve one that you wear seven days a week.
5. Store your bras carefully.
The easiest way to mess up a t-shirt bra or a moulded cup bra is to store it in a drawer with stuff on top of it. Once a moulded cup bra creases or flattens out it can be almost impossible to get it back into shape! If you have extra tissue paper and some additional storage space, you can stuff some balled up paper in the cups to help them keep their shape. If not, just make sure that the cups nest inside each other and aren’t being damaged during storage.
If you can’t find space in your regular drawers, try getting one of those clear storage boxes from the store. They are just the right size to store a bunch of bras in and have lots of room to have them lie flat.
Do you have a favorite bra that you really love? If so, make sure to tell us about it in the comments! Did you learn any new lingerie care tips from this article? If so, make sure to share it with your friends!
Related: How Should I Dry My Bras After Washing Them?
We Highly Recommend
Whether you’re shopping for new everyday bras or lingerie for a special occasion, it’s always a good idea to seek out a second opinion. We know how hard it is to find bras that fit well and feel good, especially when you’re doing it on your own. If you’ve ever felt unsure about your bra size or you just don’t know where to go to find good bras, it’s time to let a bra fitter help.
Many specialty lingerie boutiques offer bra fittings. Their expert bra fitters will take the pain and frustration out of bra shopping and do all the work for you. Even better, their product knowledge can save you time and money. Plus, they know where all of the best bras are hiding.
If you’ve struggled with finding bras in the right size, it’s time to make a change. Visit our specialty store locator to find a store near you and schedule an appointment.
Happy bra shopping!
