Guide · Laundry and clothes washing ·
How to Wash a Bra
Bras are made from delicate materials such as elastane, lace, foam and underwire, so they should be washed differently from ordinary laundry. The wrong temperature, a harsh programme and the tumble dryer quickly ruin the elasticity of the bands and the shape of the cups. This guide explains how to wash a bra by hand and in the machine without damaging it, how to care for padded and underwired bras and how to dry a bra.
Before washing
- Read the label: check the bra's washing temperature and programme.
- Fasten the hooks: open hooks catch on other laundry and lace and pull threads.
- Sort by colour: wash white, light and dark bras separately.
- Separate delicate items: do not wash lace and fine bras with heavy laundry.
- For swimsuits and bikinis: how to wash a swimsuit.
- For briefs, boxers and other underwear: how to wash underwear.
How to hand wash a bra?
- Dissolve the detergent: fill a basin with lukewarm or cold water and dissolve the detergent completely; TETİK hand-wash detergent can be used fully dissolved in water.
- Wash by pressing: wash the bra by pressing it into the water; do not rub the cups or lace.
- Dirty areas: gently rub the areas that get sweaty, such as the straps and underband, with your fingertips.
- Rinse: rinse with clean water until no foam remains.
- Remove the water: do not wring the bra; wrap it in a towel and press to remove the water (how to hand wash clothes).
How to machine wash a bra?
- Only if the label allows: hand wash bras that are not marked as machine washable.
- Use a laundry bag: put the bra in a laundry bag with its hooks fastened.
- Choose a delicate programme: select a low temperature, a delicate programme and a low spin speed.
- Suitable detergent: use detergent for coloureds on coloured bras and detergent for whites on white ones; put in the amount on the label.
- Sports bra: on technical-fabric sports bras, use fabric softener only if the label allows.
How to wash a padded bra?
With padded and moulded bras, the most important thing is not to crush the cups. Hand wash these bras if possible; if they go in the machine, put each bra in its own laundry bag and nest the cups inside each other. After washing, reshape the cups by hand and dry the bra on a flat surface; do not fold or bend the cups.
Underwired and lace bras
In underwired bras, the wire can work loose in the machine and damage it; wash these bras by hand or in a sturdy laundry bag. Lace bras catch on zips and hooks; washing them separately and by hand extends the life of the lace.
Yellowing on white bras
On white bras, sweat and deodorant residue cause yellowing over time. Apply stain remover to yellow areas before washing (how to remove sweat stains, how to whiten yellowed clothes). Do not use bleach on bras with elastane and synthetic fabrics; it damages the fibres and causes yellowing.
How to dry a bra?
- Hang the bra by its centre on a hanger or line, or dry it flat; do not hang it by the straps, as they stretch.
- Dry in the shade; sunlight wears elastane and fades colours.
- Do not use a tumble dryer or radiator; heat damages the elastic bands and underwires.
What not to do
- Washing a bra in hot water.
- Putting a bra in the machine with its hooks open.
- Using bleach on a bra containing elastane.
- Wringing a bra and drying it in the tumble dryer.
For laundries
In laundries, delicate lingerie is processed separately on a delicate programme; the right detergent and a low temperature extend the life of the items. TETİK hand-wash detergent is sold in 20 kg and TETİK detergents for coloureds and whites in 4 kg packs. For the product list, see Laundry supplies and chemicals; request a quote for bulk purchases.