Golden rules for washing bras and delicates
One thing all women can likely agree on is that a good bra is expensive.
Furthermore, as one needs more than one brassiere, good upkeep is paramount to make the most of your investment.
Extend the lifespan of your intimate apparel by handling your delicates with delicacy.
Here are five sensible rules to take note of when caring for your bras.
1. Never wear the same bra two days in a row
Ladies, we all know this is a tough one but do not play favourites here.
In a perfect world, allowing a bra to rest for a day between wears means that the elasticity will refresh, and in theory last longer overall.
2. On the third wear, wash
A bra should preferably be washed every three days.
So if a woman has three bras that she wears in rotation, when a bra has its third wear of the cycle, in to the washing it goes.
3. Perfect your hand-wash
Throwing your bras into the washing machine can damage elastic, underwires, or other clothing which may accidentally be caught on a bra's hooks.
If you want your bras to last, get good at your handwashing technique.
Fill your sink with lukewarm water and add a very small amount of a mild (ideally liquid) detergent. Next, submerge your bras, swish them around and leave to soak for 20 minutes. Rinse and drain before drying.
4. If machine you must, use a bag
Not everyone has time, all the time, to be a hand-washing queen, so a lingerie bag is your next best bet.
There are two common types of delicates bag to choose from – the simple, fine mesh sort with a zip, or a structured mesh bag that's tailored for bra protection.
Close the clasps on your bras before inserting into the delicates bag, select a cold, gentle wash, again with mild detergent, and away you go.
5. Drying do's and don'ts
A heated towel rail is fine for drying a bra in a hurry but put it in the dryer at your peril.
Not only might the underwires and clasp come out stinging hot ('Ow!') but it can alter the shape in general.
Similarly, do not hang your bra on the washing line by the straps, as the weight of the water will cause them to stretch.
The best way to dry your bra is flat on a drying rack. Second best, folded in the centre over a washing line.
Written by Anabela Rea. Republished with permission of Stuff.co.nz.