You've been caring for you bras all wrong. Here's how to take care the right ones for you body—and make them last longer!
By Jeannette Moninger, Family Circle
You Are Caring for Your Bra All Wrong
Ah, bras. They’re one of the first things you fling off at night, and you’ll probably never long for them the way you do yoga pants. Still, these four maintenance moves can make you comfier up top.
Give your bras a break.
You finally found a bra that accentuates your curves and doesn’t ride up your chest. You want to wear it every day, right? Don’t. Donning the same bra repeatedly will quickly turn it into your stretchiest, least supportive undergarment. “Your bra needs a rest after two days of wear to allow the fabric and chest band to return to their original shape,” says Elisabeth Dale, author of The Breast Life Guide to The Bra Zone: How to Find Your Ideal Size, Style and Support.
Hand-wash only, please.
The spin cycle is no friend to delicates. Thanks to no-rinse laundry products like Soak and Eucalan, hand-washing can be a no-brainer. Soak your bras in cool water and no-rinse soap for about 10 minutes, dab gently with a washcloth and then always (always!) air-dry. Dale typically wears a bra three to five times (less in the summer) before placing it in the laundry pile.
Store with care.
Don’t throw bras into a drawer. Proper storage can prolong their lifespan. First, hook bras closed to keep them from snagging on other delicates. Fold lacy and soft-cup bras in half with the straps tucked inside. Stack molded and padded bras inside each other to prevent bending and denting the cups. You also can hang your bras individually on hangers.
Be a semi-frequent shopper.
There’s a reason bras don’t come with lifetime warranties: They aren’t made to last forever. Depending on the quality of the bra, how often you wear it, and how well you take care of it, you should replace a bra every six to 12 months. Dale recommends using a fabric pen to write the purchase date on the inside of the bra band, so you know when it’s time to go shopping.
