How to Wash Bras So They Last Longer
How to wash bras and lingerie by hand or machine, how often to wash them and what destroys elastic, explained by a textile engineer and lingerie brand founder.
The short answer
Hand wash bras in cool water with a gentle detergent, or machine wash them hooks fastened, inside a mesh bag, on a delicate cold cycle. Never put them in the dryer. Heat is what destroys elastane, and elastane is what holds the band and cups in shape.
Most bras do not wear out from wearing. They wear out in the washing machine and the dryer. As a textile engineer and the founder of a lingerie brand, here is how to make them last.
Why bras wear out
- Heat: hot water and dryers break down elastane (spandex), so bands stretch and lose support.
- Agitation: tumbling twists underwires, bends moulded cups and snags lace on zips and hooks.
- Detergent build-up: strong detergents and softeners coat and weaken fibres.
- No rest: elastane needs time to recover. Wearing the same bra every day stretches it out faster.
How to hand wash a bra (best method)
- Fill a basin with cool water and a small amount of mild or lingerie detergent.
- Soak for 10–15 minutes.
- Gently press and swish; rub only soiled areas lightly with your fingers.
- Rinse in cool water until no suds remain.
- Press out water with a towel. Do not wring.
- Reshape the cups and dry flat, or hang from the centre gore, not the straps.
How to machine wash a bra
- Fasten the hooks so they cannot snag.
- Put each bra in a mesh lingerie bag; moulded bras in their own bag, or a structured cup bag.
- Choose the delicate or hand-wash cycle, cold water, and the lowest spin.
- Wash with other light items, never with jeans, towels or anything with zips.
- Take it out promptly and reshape. Never tumble dry.
How often should you wash bras?
- Everyday bras: after every 2–3 wears, with a day’s rest between wears.
- Sports bras: after every workout.
- Bralettes and lace: after 1–2 wears; they are lighter and absorb more.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | What it does | Better choice |
|---|---|---|
| Tumble drying | Melts and weakens elastane; warps wires | Air dry flat |
| Hanging by the straps | Stretches the straps | Hang from the centre or dry flat |
| Washing with zips and denim | Snags lace and mesh | Wash with lingerie only |
| Fabric softener | Coats fibres, reduces stretch recovery | Skip it |
| Folding moulded cups inside each other | Creases the foam | Stack cups or store flat |
- Seamless, unlined cups
- Hand wash only
A bra worth caring for properly
Check price on Amazon AU Price & availability shown on Amazon.com.auFor fabric-specific advice, see our guides on the best underwear fabrics and how to wash silk.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put bras in the washing machine?
Yes, if they are in a mesh bag on a cold delicate cycle with the hooks fastened. Hand washing is still gentler, especially for lace and underwire bras.
Why do underwires poke through?
Usually from machine washing without a bag. The wire works through the channel during tumbling.
How long should a bra last?
With good care and rotation, around 6–12 months of regular wear before the band loses support.