How to actually wash bras, according to lingerie experts

Bras, lingerie, and other foundational garments need to be washed regularly, but oftentimes these important items of clothing are worn over and over without being laundered. Ideally, a bra should be washed every two to three wearings. Tania Garcia, the director of fit at Cuup, says, “A good bra is made of technical and delicate materials, and should be treated with extra love and care!” Bras and lingerie, because they are very delicate, will last longer if washed by hand rather than in the machine. We spoke to experts about the best ways to wash a bra to ensure it retains its shape and fit.

How to hand-wash bras When it comes to laundering bras, which are both delicate and highly technical garments, experts agree that washing by hand is best. “Always hand-wash your bras with a gentle detergent,” Garcia says. Sarah Shotton, the creative director of Agent Provocateur, agrees: “Using the washing machine is just too rough for delicate fabrics.” While a specialty detergent is not required for hand laundering, one can be nice to have. Soak Wash

Follow these steps to hand-wash a bra:

• Step 1: Fill a basin with cool water, ensuring there’s enough water to submerge the bra while leaving room for your hands to move through it.
• Step 2: Add detergent. In the case of no-rinse detergents like Soak Wash, a capful is enough; if using a regular detergent, add only enough to create a slippery feel to the water and some sudsing.
• Step 3: Agitate the bra gently with your hands.
• Step 4: If using regular detergent, rinse thoroughly to remove all detergent.
• Step 5: Remove the bra from the water and gently squeeze out water, but do not wring.
• Step 6: Lay or hang the bra to dry. If hanging drying, hang the bra by its center gore rather than by the straps, as the weight of the wet bra will cause the straps to stretch, ruining its fit.

“When hand-washing your bras, stay away from harsh detergents and intense lathering or rinsing,” Garcia says. “Instead, opt for a delicate detergent and gently handle your bras to avoid materials from stretching and reshaping.”