How often should you wash your bra?

We’re all guilty of it: you get home and the first thing you do is peel off your bra before chucking it on the ground (or, ‘The Chair’ where all loose items of clothing live).
And then the day after, you pick up the same bra and wear it again.
The cycle goes on for days –sometimes weeks – before you finally muster the strength to chuck it in the wash.
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So how often should you really be washing your delicates?
“The need to wash your bra varies and depends on your personal hygiene and how often you wear each bra,” Carol Rashleigh from Bendon told The Weekly Online.
“In general, I think it’s ok to wear it a few times before you wash it.”
While we’re sorry to add another chore to your life, caring for your (often expensive) bras will make them last longer, saving you cash in the long run.
So what’s the best way to go about washing them?
“Cold water,” says Carol. “Washing your bra in cold water will help preserve elasticity. Follow the care instructions and for machine washable bras, use a delicates bag and fasten the hooks.”
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“Also, don’t use strong bleaches or detergents and try to hand wash your more delicate pieces.”
Storing your bras is just as important as washing them.
If you’re guilty of just throwing them into your undies drawer, it’s time to break the habit.
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“When storing contour or padded bras, don’t fold the cups into each other as this will ruin the fabric and eventually break down the pad.”
“It’s best to lay them flat in a drawer or hook over a hanger.”
Like most material goods in our lives, the more love your give it, the longer it’ll last… so start taking care of your bras!
Article originally posted on aww.com.au.
How often do you wash your bras?
60 Member Comments
I try and wash as often as I can
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I never knew you should wash them in cold water? I guess that's something I need to start doing.
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I never suspect that bras should be so complicated. I always fold them into each other. How long the bra should last, anyhow?
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I wear mine way more than I should, they are just so damn expensive I can’t afford multiples.
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woops! I don't lay them flat - I fold them into each other!
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I wash in the washing machine in a wash bag. Air dry. Seems to be fine.
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I wash my bras every second day and just throw them in the washing machine.
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At the end of every week is a must.
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Always after a single use.
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I always put mine in a lingerie bag, but I've been noticing lately that underwire gets a little bent out of shape :/
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Mine get washed every time they are worn.
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I always chuck mine in the laundry I never wear them more than once before washing.
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I wash my bras once a week in winter and twice a week in summer.
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I wash mine once a week during winter and 2-3 times a week during Summer. Mine have lasted for quite a while now. However, I do realise that the less I wash it, the more older it looks
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I like placing my worn bra & clothes into my "worn pile" for wearing again. My bra gets changed for wash once a week in Winter and every 2-3 days in hot Summer. Would like to change and wash them more frequently because sometimes it can feel itchy and unclean - I need to get some new bras soon :) I always wash them in cold water and double bag the expensive delicate ones in laundry bra bags.
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If it is a hot sweaty day , definatley after the day . In winter , perhaps a couple of wears. I also wash in a laundry bag in the machine as they are delicates and sometimes even hand wash them .
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I wash my bra maybe once a week ; the longest 2 in Winter. However, in Summer it's a different story. I wash my bra every 3 or 4 days.
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I tend to wash them every couple of wears. I always use a bra bag to wash them as well. Bras are expensive so I try to keep them in good condition.
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I wash them every second wear (a bit more if say only wore them for 1-2 hrs a wear) and definitely my gym bras only that one gym session.
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I wear 2-4 bras a week before I wash them (fewer in winter, more in summer) but I own 6 bras and rotate them. I use a delicates bag and cold water wash but I don't wash them separately from my other clothes. I do hang them to dry outside in the shade but that's more for convenience than concern for the bras!
While it's good to get the maximum longevity out of good underwear, if we are meant to be refitted and replace bras every 12-18 months anyway then there's not a lot of point in going too overboard with the bra care routine.
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I lay mine out in their own drawer. I usually wash mine after every wear, they are underwear after all!
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Yeahhhhh. I reckon maybe 4 wears each? That's probably my average... Honestly I just chuck them in the lingerie bag and in with the usual wash..I think the dial is on 40 degrees? Otherwise the detergent doesn't dissolve...and stuff hand washing!
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Totally guilty of not washing mine as often as I should. I only wash them if they start to smell whiffy - maybe every couple of weeks. Didn't know about the storage tip either - I thought that folding the cups together was ok? Oops.
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In summer my bra band can get a bit sweaty so I change it every day but in winter I wear it for 2 or 3 days. I always wash it in a wash-bag in cold water on a delicate cycle. I store the moulded cup bras stacked on top of each other in a drawer.
Why is it when you find the perfect bra the company stops making it?
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