How to Wash Bras and Lingerie Without Wrecking the Shape

It is the structure and the elastane that wear out first

A bra and much of your lingerie holds its shape thanks to two things: the elastane (Lycra/spandex) that provides stretch, and the structure – underwires, moulded cups and hooks. Elastane is the weak point. It is not broken down by water, but by heat: hot wash water and especially the tumble dryer make the fibres lose their spring, leaving the band slack and the cups loose. Wash cool and air-dry, and the pieces last far longer – however well they are made.

How to hand-wash a bra safely

Hand washing is the gentlest method for a bra, and takes only a few minutes:

1. Fill a basin or the sink with lukewarm to cold water and a little mild detergent – ideally a delicate or wool wash.
2. Let the bra soak for a few minutes and move it gently around. Rub lightly on sweat and skin-contact areas if needed.
3. Rinse well in clean, cold water until all the soapy water is out.
4. Press – do not wring – the water out gently. Wringing bends wires and creases moulded cups.

Machine washing? Use a wash bag and close the hooks

If the bra is machine-safe (check the care label), a wash bag is almost essential. It stops hooks snagging, cups being crushed flat and straps tangling around other laundry:

1. Close all hooks before washing so they do not tear other garments.
2. Put the bra in a wash bag – ideally a structured one, so moulded cups are not squashed.
3. Wash cold (max 30°C) on a delicate cycle with a low spin speed.
4. Skip fabric softener: it coats the elastane and slackens it over time.

Drying decides how long a bra keeps its shape

Drying is where most bras take damage. The tumble dryer combines exactly the two things elastane cannot take – heat and mechanical battering – and can also twist moulded cups out of shape. Reshape the cups by hand while the piece is damp, then hang the bra to dry by the centre panel or lay it flat. Avoid hanging it by the straps, which stretch, and keep it away from radiators and direct sun.

Habits that give lingerie a longer life

Much of the lifespan is decided between washes:

• Let a bra 'rest' for a day between wears – the elastane recovers and keeps its spring longer.
• Wash after a few wears, not after every one – washing too often wears more than it cleans.
• Fasten the hooks and use a wash bag every time you do machine wash.
• Replace rather than repair when the band's own elastic is worn out – the spring is gone for good. A loose wire or a snapped strap, on the other hand, is a simple repair.

When should you leave it to professionals?

You can safely wash most lingerie yourself. But delicate pieces in silk or lace, moulded shapewear and expensive items you dare not put in the machine can be sent to us for gentle cleaning according to the garment and its care label. If an underwire has poked through, a strap has snapped or a hook has come loose, we can also repair it instead of you binning a piece that is otherwise fine. You order online, and you see the price before you order.

Frequently asked questions