How often should you wash your bra? While some wash it after every wear, others leave it far too long! So we took one of the internet’s most asked questions to the lingerie experts.
Here are the bra care answers we’ve all seemingly been waiting for, from the head of design at Ultimo!
Generally speaking, how often should we be washing our bras?
Once a week would be ideal, but every few weeks is good as well.
How bad is it really, to leave it so long between washes…?
If you don’t wash bras for a long time, they will start to accumulate a number of germs, and as lingerie touches delicate skin, it should be washed regularly to avoid any irritation.
So what’s the best way to clean our bras?
Lingerie and bras in general are delicate garments, so they should ideally be hand-washed to maintain their shape and keep the materials intact. We recommend washing a few garments in one sitting, simply using a plastic laundry bucket. Using warm but not hot water is best, in order to preserve the colour of the garment.
Do we need to bear the fabric in mind? Do lace bras have different rules, for example?
When hand washing your lingerie, it is important to keep the fabric and construction in mind. More delicate items that have silk or lace can be damaged more easily, so it’s best to wash them less often and with extreme care.
How do we dry it? Can it go on the radiator? In the tumble dryer?
The best way to dry your undergarments is to simply let them air dry. Hanging them on a sturdy hanger or on your drying rack is recommended. Putting items on your radiator is not good for the garment or your paint, so please avoid doing that. At Ultimo, we also strongly discourage our customers from using a tumble dryer, as the motion can result in shrinkage, damage to the fabric, or even cause the underwire to come out.
So to keep the cycle going, how many bras do you think the average woman should own?
Every woman is different, so it’s hard to recommend a set number to have in the top drawer. At Ultimo, we recommend having bras for everyday, that sit well under T-shirts and jumpers, and complementing your collection with more seductive and stylish fashion bras for special occasions or evening outings. Most women wear the wrong bra type and size, so it’s important to be fitted properly.
Any tricks you can share to prolong the life of our favourite bra?
First, wear a bra that fits you properly: this means it will be more effective and last longer. An ill-fitting bra is likely to give out faster as it might be working too hard. If you want to prolong the life of your lingerie, hand-wash it with warm water and speciality liquid, which will help the fabric stay intact. And lastly, even though it may be your favourite, avoid wearing it every day, as this will affect the fit over time and cause it to wear more quickly.
