Preserving the lifecycle of Bras requires the right amount of care and attention. The fabric and elastics used in lingerie are very delicate, thus need careful handling. How you wash your bras can affect its durability and lifespan. As it is obvious that Lingerie is made for delicate parts of your body, it is necessary to protect it from detergents with hard chemicals and of course, from vigorous washing. High quality and well-made bras can last up to a year if kept with care. Lingerie washing is an art to know in itself, and every woman should learn this art to avoid the trouble of always needing a new bra because it’s really hard to find the one that fits you perfectly.
Let’s see what five major mistakes we make when we wash our bras and how to avoid them.
Over-washing
Do you wash your bras after every use, thinking this is what’s supposed to be done? We’re sorry to break it to you, but you’ve got it all wrong. Washing after every use can damage the fabric and elasticity that provides proper support. You should wash your bras after wearing them for three to four times if you’re not too sweaty or have sensitive skin. Rotating two to four bras can help you avoid over-washing and keeping good hygiene. Moreover, breaks allow elastics to retain their shapes and keep your bras looking new for a longer period.
Not Washing Enough
Just like washing your bras daily is damaging, wearing one for a long time can be too. Wearing the same bra for an extended period may not make it look dirty, but the oils from your skin are ruining the elastic, making the bras useable for a lesser period than they’re originally supposed to be. Sports bras, on the other hand, are required to be washed after every use. But it’s always helpful if you read the care and instruction tag first. Not washing enough can become your nightmare if you have sensitive skin or sweat a lot.
Don’t Use Strong Detergent
Detergents that we use to wash our clothes are usually hard and contain chemicals that are not delicate enough for washing lingerie. Using regular detergents can weaken the fabric and ruin the quality that is why experts recommend using gentle lingerie wash so it may prevent your bra from expiring too fast. Also, keep in mind that “using bleach” is never an option. Using a gentle lingerie-friendly soap can help too.
Not Drying Bras Properly
For lingerie, air drying is the best option. Putting them in machines and dryers can make them lose elasticity, erode the elastic, affect the fabric quality, and also warp and wrinkle cups. Wet bras should be hanged by the center gore (the piece between the cups that joins them together) and not by the straps, as it will stretch them out by the weight. And once stretched, they will not restore back their elasticity and lose their perfect fit. The only choices left will be to get them altered by the tailor, or do it yourself, or replacing it with a new one. Finding a bra that’s the best fit can be difficult, but once you do, you have to take care of it. If you cannot air-dry your bras, it is better to dry them on a low heat setting. Because the heat from the dryer can do irreversible damage to your delicate lingerie, making its lifespan shorter.
Not Using A Lingerie Bag
Washing bras by hand is better than putting them in a machine, but if you do so, then it is recommended to use a mesh lingerie bag. The bag will protect the hooks from getting stuck into any other clothing and also prevent the bras from becoming stretched out. Close your bras even before putting them into the bag so that they won’t get tangled into one another because extra personal stuff requires extra care. Mesh lingerie bag gives protection to the delicate fabric of your bras from getting wrinkled or dull.
Next time you wash your favorite bras, make sure you don’t make these mistakes. There is no rocket science in taking care of your lingerie. All it requires is a perfect washing technique and a way of storing that does not allow them to get damaged or wrinkled.