How to Wash Bras

Bras are delicate items with complex construction. They’re often also really pricey. So it’s natural to wonder how best to take care of them and keep them clean.

The general recommendation has always been to wash wireless bras by hand. This has long been considered the best way to wash bras. But as more styles and materials emerge, you have a few more options. Having choices is good, but it can also make it even more confusing.

Generally, a great first step is to consult the care instructions on the label of your bra. Knix bras, like the WingWoman Contour Bra for example, can be machine washed. 

(Note: All bras that can be machine washed can also be hand-washed if that’s your preference. But if a bra is “hand wash only,” it’s absolutely not recommended to put them in the washing machine. You’ll typically find this the case on lacy, frilly, or silk lingerie and bras.)

Washing Bras by Hand

Hand washing can sound like a laborious task, but when it comes to hand washing bras, it’s really not that difficult. Let’s break down how to hand wash bras step-by-step:

• Step 1: Fill your sink with cold (not hot) water and mild detergent. Swish the water gently to make sure the detergent is mixed and dissolved properly. See our note below about choosing the right mild detergent. 
• Step 2: Submerge your bras in the water. Like any time you’re doing laundry, separate lights from darks and colors and wash like together. Colors can run even when you’re hand washing!
• Step 3: Leave them to soak! Aim for about 10 to 15 minutes. But you can leave the bras to soak for up to an hour (a great time to catch an episode of Netflix or run some errands). 
• Step 4: Agitate the bras in the water. Swish and swirl each bra in the water. Don’t get too aggressive here; remember, bras are delicate garments. But you do want to make sure you agitate any dirt out of the fabric. The water will probably look pretty murky at this stage, which is always simultaneously kinda gross and satisfying to see!
• Step 5: Rinse. Under running cold water, rinse each bra until the water runs clear. By the way, you can also wash other undergarments and clothing using the same steps.
• Step 6: Do not wring your bra! Instead, press it gently between two small towels (or one larger folded one) to gently absorb excess moisture.

Now your bra is ready to dry. Skip ahead to that section to learn some tips about drying a bra!

How to Wash Bras in the Washing Machine (Pro-Tip: Use a Lingerie Bag)

As mentioned at the start, some bra brands can be machine washed. Note: If you’re the cautious type, you can still choose to hand wash your bras.

But even for bras that can be machine-washed, there are some tips to help prolong the bra’s life. A little bit of tender loving care can make a difference.

Here are the steps to follow if you’re opting for the washing machine:

• Step 1: Fasten all the hooks/clasps. Hooks and clasps can catch on to other items of clothing, which can cause a lot of stretching, pulling, and even breakage of your bras. So make sure you fasten all the clasps to minimize the chances of that happening.
• Step 2: Place the bras in a mesh bag/lingerie bag. A mesh laundry bag or lingerie bag is excellent for keeping delicates (underwear, socks, tights) contained in the washing machine and protected from tangling with less delicate garments.
• Step 3: Separate your colors/weights. As always with laundry, you want to take a moment to separate your colors (white, black, and colors). You can also divide your loads by weight, including bras with other lighter items, like tees, socks, underwear, etc., rather than heavier objects like bed linens, jeans, and sweatshirts.
• Step 4: Choose a delicate cycle or cold water cycle when you machine wash. Make sure to set your machine on a gentle cycle or cold water cycle when you’re washing undergarments or other delicates.

A Note About Laundry Detergent / Stain Removers

You may notice that your lingerie store sells specialty detergent or lingerie wash for washing bras and lingerie. The key to look for is an alcohol-free detergent. Some of our favorites include:

• Soak Wash: Manufactured in Toronto, Soak is an eco-friendly, rinse-free wash that cleans beautifully and is ideal for hand or machine washing bras.
• The Laundress: The Laundress’ Delicate Wash is ideal for lingerie and other items labeled “dry clean.” This formula removes perspiration, body oils, and stains while cleaning and preserving fabrics.

If you’re dealing with stains, you should still have a gentle approach. Do not be tempted to increase the temperature of your wash, and instead, think about repeating the soaking steps in the hand washing section above. A gentle toothbrush and a little spot treatment with your detergent can also help loosen a stain without pulling the delicate fibers. Always skip fabric conditioner or fabric softener.

Drying All Your Bras: Always Air Dry

Whether you hand wash or machine wash your bras, it’s your choice. But if there’s one hard rule, it’s on drying: Drying machines are an absolute no-no. Instead, opt for air dry.

Why? Because the heat of a machine dryer can be detrimental to the elastic in your bra. And once the elastic is gone, your bra is finished.

So, after you’ve gently pressed the excess water out of your bra with a towel, you’ll want to air dry them. We prefer to lay bras flat to dry rather than hang them by their strap. 

Some other drying tips:

• If you do hang them, hang them as you’d wear them (i.e., both shoulders over a hanger, clasped at the back).
• If your bra has molded cups, make sure you gently reshape them while your bra is damp, so it dries in its original shape.
• If you live in a humid environment, consider putting them near a fan to help them dry more quickly and effectively without any stale smells.

How Often to Wash Bras, Whether Machine Washing or Hand-Washing

While some people wash their bra after every wear, we feel this might encourage a hurried approach. Washing is not always a gentle process, so we think the sweet spot recommendation for washing your bras every two to three wears.

The best way is to have a few bras in rotation. This will make it much more manageable to stay on top of your laundry and to sync up with your regular laundry routine. Get in the habit of doing this and observing careful laundry practices, and you can rest assured that your bra, and your body, are cared for.

Every rule has exceptions, right? These are mostly common sense but let’s spell them out for those of us who love explicit guidelines:

• Hotter day? Change more. If you’re sweating more than usual, you might not want to stretch out to 3 wears. When the mercury rises, get used to washing your bras more often.
• A “wear” is a full day. If you wear a bra for a few hours only (say for an evening dinner), you don’t have to count this as a “full wear.”
• Sports bras are different. Hot yoga, running, HIIT? These activities are a whole different ball game. Wash your sweaty sports bra every day. Yep, that means if you work out every day, you need a few sports bras in rotation.

How to Store Bras

After all these good habits, you want to make sure you’re storing your bra kindly too. Don’t twist or crush your bra into a drawer. Instead, you can nest bras into each other to help preserve their shape (this will also give you a bra drawer Marie Kondo would be proud of—win/win!)

Written by Jane Flanagan — Updated on March 1, 2022.

We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.