The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. 

Bras should be washed after every wear, says expert

How often do you wash yours?

Olivia Petter
Friday 04 May 2018 15:45 BST
Comments
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

It’s an age-old debate that has puzzled bra-wearing-folk for centuries, how often should you wash your bras?

It’s a question that drums up a myriad of responses, far more than the query of how often one should wash one’s underwear.

Whether you’re a weekly washer or more of a monthly advocate, according to one underwear expert, you’re probably not giving your bras the full scrub-down they need.

Speaking to Apartment Therapy, Jené Luciani, author of The Bra Book, revealed that, contrary to popular belief, bras should actually be washed after each use.

“You should wash your bras after every wearing, which is something a lot of women don’t realise!” she said.

The Australian lifestyle expert added that this isn’t just for hygiene reasons but for basic bra-maintenance.

“Your bra accumulates a pretty hefty serving of sweat, grime, and elements from the air,” she explained, “which can actually chip away at the longevity of your undergarment by affecting the elasticity and other materials.”

She went on to explain that the dirt and oil from our skin can gradually chip away at the elasticity of a bra’s material when we overwear it.

Ultimately, if you want your bras to truly stand the test of time, you and your washing machine need to take your relationship to the next level.

Obviously remember to check on the label of said bra if it’s okay to actually place it in the washing machine - particularly delicate ones may require a garment bag or a hand-wash.

Most should be fine on a gentle cycle in a cold wash, Luciani said.

However, Lexie Sachs, senior product analyst in the Textiles Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, explained that constant washes may not be entirely necessary and that how often you wash your bra depends on your activity levels and how much you sweat when you wear it.

"If you aren't sweating a lot and wearing for regular use you can do it every few wears,” she told USA Today.

Bad news for the sweatier citizens amongst us, good news for the impeccable sweat-less unicorns.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in