‘Everyone makes the same mistake’, fashion professional shows how often bras should be washed
Half the population wears them every day, but new research shows we’re washing our bras all wrong.
And it turns out we should all be refreshing the underwear essentials a lot more than we do.
More than 30,000 people search Google for advice on how often to wash their delicates.
It is a controversial topic for many, according to experts luxury Lingerie retailer Pour Moi has launched a ‘Clean Bra Calculator’ to help settle the debate.
And the research revealed that almost half of those who responded only wash their bra once every three weeks.
Now experts reveal we should wash our bras after every third wear.
Emma Woodrow, Pour Moi’s in-house bra guru, says: “As a general rule, bras should be washed every three times to ensure your garments stay clean, without over-washing and compromising the integrity of your items .”
The team says no rule applies to everyone – if that includes you work For long shifts where you are quite active and on your feet a lot, you will need to wash your bra more often than someone who only wears it a few hours a day and is quite sedentary.
The new calculator takes into account your personal lifestyle factors, from how many days in a row you wear the same bra and how active you are on an average day, to how often you shower or bathe and whether you are a fake tan wearer or body Lotion user.
By calculating more than 15 data points, the tool generates tailored advice on how often your bras should be washed.
And while you should strive to keep your delicate items as clean as possible to avoid a build-up of odors and harmful bacteria, Pour Moi experts say it’s important to wash them properly to ensure that ze in de best mogelijke staat blijven.
And it turns out that many of us are making a big mistake.
Emma said: “Washing your bras too often can damage the bra dust and weaken the elastic that holds everything in place, especially if you’re guilty of throwing it in the washer and dryer.
“Hand washing is our recommended way to keep your favorite underwear in perfect condition for as long as possible.
The main reason she recommends avoiding machine washing and tumble drying is because washing at too high a temperature can damage the elastic fibers over time, can snag bra hooks in the drum and cause them to bend or break, and the Circular motion can cause the straps to loosen. clothes snag and stretch unnecessarily.
Hand washing avoids all of the above and cleans your bras without the fear of damaging them.”
Bra washing guide
EMMA Woodrow’s best care guide to hand washing bras:
- Fill a sink with cold water and add some mild hand detergent.
- Pop into your dirty bras (ideally with the clasps attached) and give them a little spin in the water.
- Let it soak for 10 minutes and then gently rub it all over the skin, concentrating on the armpits and back band.
- Rinse in cold, clean water and squeeze gently to remove some of the water (but do not twist or wring to avoid damage).
- Place the bra on a clean, dry towel and roll it up to absorb even more excess moisture. Then reshape the bra, ready to dry.
- Hang your bra on a line or hang it on a hanger to dry completely, without hanging from the straps to prevent stretching.