How to Hand Wash Bras the Right Way

Bras are called delicates for a reason. They demand the utmost care when it comes to cleaning. Unlike most clothes, you can't just toss a bra in the washer and dryer and call it a day. (If you're currently doing that, please, we beg of you, stop it). The best way to clean your bras is to wash them by hand — and why not? Not only is hand washing bras easy, but it will also extend the life of your undergarments (which don't exactly come cheap).

Here's how to hand wash bras in five simple steps.

Check the Label Before Washing

Make sure to check the care labels on your bras before any kind of washing. Most likely, they'll be just fine being hand-washed in your sink with a little bit of detergent and care.

Dab Out Any Spots

If your bra has any stains, you'll want to tackle those first. Just use a regular laundry detergent here, and gently clean the dirty spot with your hands. You're washing it just like you'd spot clean any other article of clothing before laundering it. This gives the soap a little extra time to work on getting out the stain.

Soak in Detergent and Warm Water

Make sure your bathroom or kitchen sink is clean, and fill it with warm water and some laundry detergent. Place your bras in the sink to soak, and give them a little twirl with your hands to ensure they're completely covered and wet. Once fully soaked through, use your hands to clean the fabric. Work the soap through and make sure you cover the whole area.

Rinse Thoroughly

After the bras are fully cleaned, drain the sink (or switch over to another sink or the bathtub) and rinse them off. Make sure to rinse them fully so there's no lingering soap anywhere. Think of it like shampooing your hair — all the soap has to come out for the bras to be completely clean.

Lay or Hang Dry

There are a couple of ways to go about drying the bras. One option is to lay them flat on a towel so that the towel will soak up the water as the bra dries. However, you should check that the towel or towels do not get over-saturated with water as the bras are drying; otherwise, the bras will be sitting on a wet towel, not drying. A better bet is to hang them to dry.

Using either a foldable clothes dryer or even your shower curtain rod, drape the bra over it so it's folded in half and one cup is on each side. Don't hang the bras by the straps because it can pull the fabric out of shape while wet. Hanging it from the middle puts the least amount of strain on the fabric.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I wash a bra in the washing machine?

  The washing machine is harsh on bras and can wreck them pretty quickly, even if you're careful. Still, if you're short on time and the care tag allows it, you can technically wash your bras in the washing machine. If doing so, make sure to at least hook the clasps closed and launder your bras inside a lingerie bag to protect them before tossing them in.

• Can I dry my bras in the dryer?

  The dryer will legitimately ruin your bras. The heat can wreak havoc on the elastic, breaking it down and stretching it out, which means you'll have to replace your bra more often. Bra clasps can get bent out of shape and ripped off in the dryer, too.

• Do I need to hand wash sports bras?

  Since sports bras are not as delicate as regular bras, you can wash them by machine to give them a thorough cleaning. You can also wash sports bras by hand, which is less harsh, but be sure to soak and rinse well to remove any sweat and odor.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qrrSrbClnV6YvK57xZqqoaGfo3ypu9Zmn5qmlGLEor%2FHZpmrmaM%3D