How To Hand Wash Your Bras

Items needed:

A clean sink, bucket or basin Gentle silk or lingerie wash (LeBlanc is really concentrated so only one capful is needed per wash, which means a 16 oz. bottle lasts a long time.) A place or device to hang your bras A water faucet A towel (This can be used under the bras to let them drip. If you hang them in the shower, you won’t need one.)

Step 1: Sort bras by color

Just like clothing, bras can bleed. Ever wash a nude bra with a new black bra? Did your nude bra turn grey? Ugh. Avoid color bleeding and wash light and dark bras separately. You can even wash one color in the sink and the other in a bucket!

*Tip: You don’t need to wash your bras after every single wear. In fact, over washing can cause them to wear out too fast. Usually, every 4-5 wears is good enough. If you have a 100-degree-omg-I’m-sweating-like-crazy-day or it’s a sports bra used for actual sweaty exercise, you can wash them more often.

Step 2: Use the right soap

This is so important. Many women say, “You’d be proud of me! I hand wash with my [insert harsh, basic detergent name here]!” Sorry ladies, hand washing is a great start, but using the soap you use to wash your clothing is harmful. Basic detergents and even some “delicate” washes are too harsh on lace and elastic. It causes the fibers to become brittle and lose their elasticity. And once your bra band stretches out, that bra is dead. Protect elastic and lace with a soap made specifically for lace or lingerie.

*Tip: If you have sensitive skin wash your bras before you wear them. If within a minute or so of trying on a new bra, your skin is red and itchy, don’t be alarmed, because it’s not the bra. It’s what’s ON the bra. Many manufacturers starch their bras to help them keep their shape during shipping or while hanging on a hanger. Just wash your bras before you wear them and you can avoid itchy red splotches.

Step 3: Fill a container with water and soap

Be sure that the container you’re using is clean. You can use a bucket or even a sink. If you are washing larger bras (ex: a 44H molded bra), it may make sense to fill the tub. That way you’ll have enough room to submerge your bras without crushing them. Use lukewarm water. Anything too hot is too harsh on delicate fabrics. Note that if you’re using a larger container, you’ll need to use a little bit more water and soap, maybe 2-3 capfuls. In a small sink or bucket, you only need 1 capful.

Step 4: Submerge and soak your bras

Gently submerge your bras in the water and let them sit. Go for a walk, go watch your favorite TV show, go have dinner… whatever! Soaking your bras is by far the most gentle way to wash bras. And yes, it cleans them. In fact, the next step is part of the cleaning process. Read on!

Step 5: Rinse

Drain the sink or bucket and rinse each bra. No need to get out a washboard or use your hands to scrub-scrub-scrub. All you need to do is gently rub the fabric between your fingers, paying close attention to the band and inside of the underwires where bras tend to be the most soiled. Run the bras a few times under the water to rinse out any excess wash. And be careful not to invert or dent the cups of your molded bras. You can even use your hands to reshape molded bras.

Step 6: Pat and hang dry

Almost done! After rinsing each bra, pat out any excess water. Do not wring or twist your bras! Then hang them to dry.You can dry them outside in the fresh air but avoid the sun. A shaded area is best so the sun doesn’t bleach your bras. If you hang yours bras anywhere other than the bathroom, try putting down a towel under your bras to avoid a puddle. Here are a few of the best ways to dry your bras:

hang bras over a shower curtain rod

hang bras over or on a hanger

hang bras on a tall dry rack

hang bras by clips

Let your bras dry overnight and you’re good to go!

*Tip: NEVER put your bras in the dryer. Seriously. The high heat and tumbling ruins the elastic, and cause underwires to break. Might as well just throw out your bras!

Besides helping your bras last longer, hand washing is very environment friendly (using just a little bit of water and no energy to air dry) and economical (the 16 oz. Le Blanc wash is under $20 and since you’re only using a capful at a time, it lasts for months and months!).

You wear your bras more than anything else in your wardrobe — now you know how to give them the TLC they deserve!