How Often Should You Wash Your Bra?

Exactly how to wash and care for your bras so they last for years to come, according to laundry and undergarment pros.

A high-quality bra that’s both comfortable and flattering often costs more than the top you end up wearing over it. So yeah, you sure as heck want to keep yours in great shape for as long as possible.

What can you do to make that happen? It’s all in the laundering, experts say. How you wash your bras—and how often you wash them—can spell the difference between underthings that maintain their shape and stretchiness for years and ones that start to lose their oomph after just a few wears.

To get it right, here’s what the pros say you should know.

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There’s no magic number for how often you should wash them.

Some experts say that washing your bras less often will help them last longer. “Washing after every three wears will help preserve the elasticity and the cup shapes,” says Richard Block, chief marketing officer for Life Detergent.

But not everyone agrees. “You should wash them after every wear,” says Jene Luciani, author of The Bra Book. Even though your bra might not look dirty after one wear, dirt and oils from your skin get transferred onto your bra. That can cause the bra materials to break down—especially if you sweat, she says.

Since, sadly, there’s no official answer, think about what works best for you. “Only you know the wear and tear of your bras,” Block says. If you shower in the morning before getting dressed and don’t sweat much throughout the day, you might be able to go longer in between washes. Same for special bras—like one made with more delicate fabric (such as lace) or one that you’re only wearing for a few hours (think: a strapless bra under an evening gown).

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Not all detergents are created equal.

Save the heavy-duty stuff for your towels and jeans. It’s best to wash bras with a detergent that’s designed for delicates, which are gentler on fabrics, says Mary Zeitler, a home science expert at the Whirlpool Institute.

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Hand-washing is best.

No matter how often you wash them, there’s one thing every expert is on board with: The best way to get your bras clean is to do it by hand. That's because the rough and tumble of the washing machine can cause the fabric to stretch or twist, which warps the cup shape.

While washing things by hand does take some time, it's not a complicated procedure. To pull it off, dunk your bras in cold water mixed with a gentle detergent (the sink or a bucket both work), and gently swish them around with your hands to dislodge any dirt or oils. Let the bras soak for 20 minutes, then rinse, Luciana says.

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To dry your bras, lay them out on a clean, dry towel and roll them up to blot out the water. Then, hang them to dry, recommends Zeitler. (Never wring out the water. Doing so can stretch or warp your bras.)

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But they can also go in the wash (with a little TLC).

Washing your bras on the delicate cycle with cold water is a totally acceptable alternative to hand-washing—as long as you do it right. First, clasp all the hooks to prevent them from getting caught in the washingmachine or against other fabrics, Block advises. Then, put the bras in a mesh lingerie bag. That’ll stave off further snagging and help keep the straps from getting stretched or tangled, says Luciani.

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They should never, ever go in the dryer.

You might already know this, but it’s worth repeating: Bras and dryers don’t mix. “Most bras are made from high-tech or delicate fabric blends, like Lycra. Not only will heat ruin the elasticity, but it can warp the underwire and cause it to pop out of the fabric,” Luciani cautions. Just like with hand-washing, you should lay your bras flat or hang them to dry.