Considering bras spend their working lives in direct contact with your skin, it’s important to clean them regularly. However, underwire bras are arguably more delicate than something like a sports bra, so they need specialist cleaning.
So, is the washing machine the best way to clean an underwire bra? That’s what we’ll discuss in this article.
Can You Put Underwire Bras in the Washing Machine?
You can put underwire bras in the washing machine. Be aware, though, that the spinning motion of the machine can bend the wire out of shape.
While this might not be an issue for an inexpensive bra, it’s best avoided for fancy ones.
If you do decide to wash your underwire bras in the washing machine, follow these tips:
- Ideally, only wash bras together. Putting them in with other washing can cause them to get tangled, which can cause damage.
- Regardless of what you wash them with, you should put bras in a mesh bag. If you don’t have one, a pillowcase works fine as a substitute.
- Use the delicates cycle on your washing machine. After all, this is what it’s there for!
- Use a gentle laundry detergent. To remove stains or marks, pre-treat by spot-cleaning before washing.
- Don’t use a hot cycle. 30 degrees Celsius is best, as hot water can damage the elastic.
- Avoid putting bras in the tumble dryer. They should ideally be hung to dry or laid flat.
- If you don’t think they need a full wash, you can remove mild odours by spraying with vinegar or a mix of bicarbonate of soda and water.
How Do You Wash a Bra with Underwire?
The best way to wash an underwire bra is by hand. As with other delicate items, it gives you the most control over the washing action used.
Luckily, washing underwire bras by hand is really easy. Here’s how to do it:
- Fill a sink or washing up bowl with cool or lukewarm water. Add a tablespoon of laundry detergent for every 5 litres of water.
- Add your bras to the water and leave to soak for up to 20 minutes.
- Rub them gently to create a slight lather and swish them around in the water.
- Tip away this water and replace with clean water. You could also run them under the cool tap to remove residue.
- Lay your bras on a towel and press another on top. After this, hang them or lay them flat to dry.
When you wash bras by hand, you’re not able to remove as much water as a washing machine can. It could therefore take a few days for your bras to dry, so don’t wash them all at once!
Final Thoughts
Hand-washing underwire bras is arguably the best option. A washing machine is fine for sports bras or padded/wireless ones, as there’s minimal chance of causing damage. You obviously want to avoid bending the wires in a bra, as this can change its fit.
Just make sure you’re still careful when washing your underwire bras by hand so you don’t bend or stretch them.
Jacob is a writer based in Wales, where he lives with his partner and two dogs. All his work is fuelled by extensive research and buckets of coffee.
