Washing bras properly is very important; In addition to preventing damage to the bra, it also extends the life of your bra. Washing bras by hand is the safest way, but sometimes situations may require you to use a washing machine. This article not only shows you how to wash your bras by hand, but also how to wash them safely in the washing machine.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Hand Washing Bra
Step 1. Fill the sink with warm water and sprinkle with a small amount of mild detergent
You only need between 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon of detergent. If you don't have a sink, you can use a bucket. Make sure you use a non-alcoholic detergent specifically for hand washing. If you don't have a mild detergent at home, you can easily make your own:
- Mix 1 cup hot water, 1 teaspoon baby shampoo, and 1 to 2 drops of an essential oil (such as lavender or chamomile). Fill a sink or bucket with lukewarm water, then add your homemade detergent.
- Dissolve a small amount of liquid castile soap in water, then place it in a sink or bucket of warm water.
Step 2. Mix detergent and water
Do this by moving your hand through the water. Keep doing this until bubbles and foam appear.
Step 3. Put the bra in the sink
Make sure the bra is submerged and the water is absorbed. Try to wash bras of similar colors and avoid washing light colored bras with dark ones.
Step 4. Let the bra soak in the soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the detergent to remove any oil or dirt
For very soiled bras, let them soak in water for 1 hour.
Step 5. Move and squeeze the bra
This will release dirt and oil. The water will look cloudier now.
Step 6. Drain the dirty water and rinse the bra with clean water
Do this many times until the water remains clear. Try rinsing it in the tub which will give you more space.
Step 7. For heavily soiled bras, soak them in soapy water, rinse, and repeat several times
If your bra hasn't been washed in a while, you'll need to soak it in fresh, soapy water; do not use dirty water that has been used again. Be sure to rinse the bra until there is no soap residue.
Step 8. Press the bra between two towels to dry it
Place the bra on a towel and cover it with another towel. Press the bra and towel. Don't press too hard until the bra is flat.
Step 9. Reshape the bra cup and allow the bra to dry
You can hang the bra or place it on a clean dry towel. If you hang it, don't hang it by the string as it can make it loose. Instead, hang it in the middle of the bra on a clothesline or drying rack. You can also clip the bra band to the hanger.
Method 2 of 2: Washing Bras in the Washing Machine
Step 1. First hook the hook on the bra
If you don't hook it up, the bra hooks can hook other clothes in the washing machine. If your bra doesn't have clasps (like a sports bra), there's no need to do this.
Step 2. Put the bra into the mesh underwear pocket
This will prevent the bra from tangling with other objects. This will also protect the bra from rough clothing, such as jeans.
Step 3. Put a similar colored bra in the washing machine
If you wash your bra with other clothes, be sure not to mix the colors. Wash white bras with clothes that are white or light in color. Be sure to wash light-colored bras (such as beige or pastel) with other light-colored clothing and wash dark-colored bras (such as navy blue and black) with other dark-colored clothing. Mixing colors will cause the color of the clothes to fade and produce a cloudy, faded color.
Step 4. Try to fit the bra with clothes that have a similar weight
Jeans and towels are heavier than bras and can damage the bra. Instead, try washing your bras with lighter items, such as T-shirts, underwear, socks, and nightgowns.
Step 5. Wash the bra with a mild detergent and a gentle cycle
Be sure to use cold water as hot water can weaken the fibers and cause the bra straps to loosen. Do not use strong detergents; Strong detergents will damage the fibers and the fibers will weaken over time. Strong detergents will degrade the quality of clothes.
Step 6. Reshape the bra cup after the loop is complete
Remove the bra from the mesh pocket and press the cups back into their original shape.
If your bra is soaking wet, don't wring it out. Instead, place the bra between two towels and press to absorb the excess water
Step 7. Dry the bra
Do not use a hairdryer because it will make the bra straps become loose and lose their elasticity. You can dry your bra by hanging it on a drying rack or clothesline. You can clip the bra band on a hanger and hang it to dry. Don't hang your bra by the straps, as this can stretch them out. If you don't have hangers, clotheslines, or drying racks, you can place them on a clean dry towel.
If you must use a hairdryer, use it on a no-heat setting. Be sure to put the bra in a mesh pocket to prevent tangling
Tips
- Wash your bra after wearing it three to four times, and make sure to let it sit a day before putting it back on.
- Wired bras or expensive bras should always be hand washed. Cheaper bras, cloth bras, sports bras, and t-shirt bras can be washed in the washing machine.
- If you don't have an underwear pocket or a mesh laundry bag, then use a pillowcase. Be sure to tie the ends of the pillowcases together before you put them in the washing machine so the bra doesn't come out of it.
- If the bra label has special care instructions, follow the instructions.
- Even if you use a dryer, foam bras or push-up bras can still be damp after removing them. Before you go to an event, keep this in mind if you want to use a bra that you wash on the same day.
Warning
- Some detergents have chemicals that can damage certain types of fabric. Consider buying a special underwear detergent to avoid this.
- Don't bleach your bras, or if you think you need to bleach them for some reason, use non-chlorine bleach. When used, over time chlorine bleach will damage spandex, a material commonly found in bras.
