Top Tips To Make Your Bras Last Longer
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Extend the lifespan of your underwear and help to reduce waste with these top tips on how to make your bras last longer.
Making clothes (including underwear) last longer is always a good idea. Not only is it good for you – money-wise – it’s also good for the environment. In the UK alone we send 235 million items of clothing to landfill so anything we can do to minimise this is a complete win-win!
Bras in particular are also hard to recycle unless you send them to specific bra recycling organisations, so it’s another good reason to try and keep them going for as long as possible.
So what’s the secret? It’s mostly all in the fitting.
The Wrong Approach To Bra Fitting
Now, I don’t know about you but whenever I’ve bought a bra I’ve always bought one that fits on the middle hooks. In fact, I’ve always been a bit mystified as to why there are 3 different hooks on a bra.
I had always assumed it was so that you had a bit of leeway with your bra. You know, in case you lost or gained a bit of weight. Even when I’ve gone to a shop for a bra fitting, generally the bra fitter has also fitted the bra on the middle hooks.
It turns out this is the wrong approach to bra fitting. You could be shortening the life of your bras.
A Better Approach To Make Your Bras Last Longer
In this post from Refinery29 on bra facts, they take a different approach. Instead, when you’re shopping for new bras (try my guide to ethical underwear to help you out), you need to focus on where you fasten your bra.
They advise that once you’ve found the correct cup and band size, you should fasten the bra on the outermost hooks. They say that as your bra stretches through wear you can make it tighter, helping it to last longer.
Heidi Zak, co-founder of US online bra shop Thirdlove explains this method. Heidi says “The way you extend the life of the bra is as the band stretches — the elastic breaks down, and if you wear it every day for six months to a year — you move it in and tighten. The one thing women should know is, if you’re trying a bra on that you’ve ordered at home or in a fitting room, you should only be trying it on the last hook, and it should be quite snug”.
This is a complete revelation to me. I’ll certainly be putting this into practice next time I’m shopping for bras!
Other Top Tips To Extend The Life Of Your Underwear
Buying a bra that fits right is just one part of the equation. There are lots of other easy ways to make your bras last longer:
Skip A Wash
As a general rule of thumb, unless you’ve done something super sweat-inducing or are breast-feeding, then bras don’t need washing after every wear. You can generally get around 4 to 5 wears out of a bra before needing to wash it.
Rotate Your Bras
Wearing the same bra two days in a row isn’t ideal. Just like us, bras can get overworked, and need a bit of rest after all the support they provide us. This is because the elastic needs time to recover its shape.
Rotating between a few bras allows each one to rest and last longer. Your bra collection doesn’t need to be big – three or four bras is ideal – so that you can give them a day off between wears.
Hand Wash Them Where Possible
Bras are more delicate than most other items in your wardrobe. They’re made up of intricate components, including elastic bands, underwires, padding, and lace, that don’t like the washing machine. Handwashing is much gentler and only takes a few minutes. Use lukewarm water and a small amount of mild detergent to keep the fabric and elastic in good condition.
If handwashing isn’t your thing, a mesh lingerie bag is your best friend. Pop your bras in the bag, fasten the hooks to avoid snagging, and use a delicate cycle with cold water.
Go Easy On The Detergent
Adding extra detergent might feel like it should get your lingerie cleaner, but it can actually shorten it’s lifespan. Elastic is a key component in most bras, and too much detergent can degrade its structure. Harsh chemicals in detergents cling to the elastic, reducing its stretch and leaving your bras saggy and misshapen. You only need a small amount to get your smalls clean!
Avoid The Tumble Dryer
Avoiding the tumble dryer where possible always makes good environmental sense, but when it comes to your undies, it makes even more sense. This is because the high heat breaks down elastic, leaving your bras saggy and sad.
Instead, gently squeeze out excess water after washing – never wring them – and hang them to dry using the part between the cups to prevent the straps from stretching out.
Any more top tips? Do share in the comments below!
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It doesn’t seem such a great idea to wear the same bra every day for months on end whatever set of hooks you fasten it on.
No, I wouldn’t fancy wearing the same bra every day either! But the three hook idea is a great one with a bra that you wear fairly regularly (just not perhaps every day!)
Amazing! I used to sell bras for a living and I didn’t know this!
Game changer. Thanks!!
This post came at just the right time I was trying to remember where I had read about bra recycling and ta da up this post came in my inbox with the link to your old post :)
It’s a great tip (although I confess I already did this) it really does help your bras last.
Good timing!! And I think I’m one of the few people that didn’t know this! ;)
I actually knew this, and it is truly genius. :)
I wish I’d known sooner! :)