How Often Should You Wash Nursing Bras?
Nursing bras play a pivotal role in your breastfeeding experience. Not only do they make nursing your infant far more convenient, but they can also help you to feel more comfortable throughout.
Of course, as with your traditional bras, you’ll need to wash them regularly. But how often? Read on to find out!
General guidance
Your nursing bras have to withstand a lot. Between night sweats (if you’re wearing them to sleep), milk leakage, and some stray dribble from your little one, they can get soiled much faster than your other bras. And if you’re wearing them during the summer, you can add perspiration to the list. As such, it’s best to wash your bra after every wear — about every 24 hours.
Related: How To Wash Nursing Bras
The rotation rule
It’s important to have at least three nursing bras in your collection. That way, when you’re washing one, you still have a clean one to wear as well as a backup (which is super helpful if you don’t do laundry daily). Wearing the same nursing bra throughout your pregnancy will cause a lot of wear and tear on it, loosening the elasticity and quickly compromising the support it can offer. So when you’re shopping for nursing bras, pick up a few so that you can rotate them throughout the week.
Stain smarts
Does your nursing bra smell like rotten milk? While washing it by hand (which we always recommend over machine washing), simply scrub it with some baking soda and then leave it to soak in warm water overnight. You can also add some essential oil, such as lavender, to lend a pleasant scent that counteracts the stain. The next morning, rinse the bra a few times before laying it flat to dry.
Cleaning these crucial undergarments at the right frequency will ensure that they last longer. If you do rotate them and care for them properly — which means hand washing them after every use and air drying them — then they should last you through your entire breastfeeding experience.
Related: How To Buy The Right Nursing Bra Size
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!
