A care plan for a bra

Short answer: Wash in a mesh bag at thirty degrees, dry it flat and let it rest a day between wears. Replace it when the elastic under the bust is slack. That way a bra keeps its shape and keeps fitting well.

Washing

Thirty degrees in a mesh bag, so the underwire does not tear at other clothes and the elastic is not stretched by the drum. Choose a gentle programme and skip fabric softener, which leaves a film on the fibres and makes the elastic less springy. A mild detergent is enough, and the bra needs no extra help.

The mesh bag

A mesh bag keeps the bra in shape and protects both it and the rest of the wash. Put only one or two bras in the bag, so they have room to lie as they should. If the bag is too full, they rub against each other. A closed bag stops straps and hooks tangling with other clothes.

The hooks

Fasten the hooks before washing so they do not catch. Open hooks snag on the fabric of the bra and of other clothes and can pull threads or make holes. It takes seconds and saves you many small damages. Set the straps in place too, so they do not wind around the cups.

Drying

Lay it flat instead of hanging it by a strap. The weight of the water pulls the straps long, and they cannot be reshaped afterwards. If the bra lies on a clean towel or a drying rack, it keeps its shape while it dries. Avoid direct heat, which can make the elastic stiff. See bamboo sports bra.

The rest day

Let it rest a day between wears so the elastic regains its shape. With three or more bras in rotation, you can switch between them without any being worn day after day. Elastic that is not stretched all the time keeps its spring for longer, and the bra sits better. See bamboo bra without underwire.

How often to wash

Wash after two or three wears, more often if you have sweated. Sweat and body oil settle in the fabric and the elastic and can wear it down faster. If you air the bra between wears, you can often use it one more time. After exercise, washing is better than leaving it in the gym bag.

The sports bra

A sports bra often takes more strain, because it is worn for movement and sweat. Wash it after each wear if you have sweated a lot, and follow the same rules: mesh bag, thirty degrees and drying flat. Replace it when it no longer supports as it used to, or when the band under the bust has gone slack.

Storage

Put the bra in a drawer where the cups are not pressed flat. Do not stack too many on top of each other, so the shape is not lost. If you hang them, hang them from the middle rather than the straps. A bra stored in shape sits better, and the straps are not pulled.

Replacing it

Replace it when the elastic under the bust is slack. If the band has started to roll up or the bra sits loosely even on the outermost hooks, it is worn out. Look for thin spots and loose seams too. Order a new one before the old one is completely worn. See bamboo underwear for women.