Bra Care

I originally posted this here but thought it was worth a repeat. Hope you are having a good weekend.

Wash, Dry, Replace?
When you buy a bra, it has that bright and new feeling. You want it to always look as beautiful as it did the day you brought it home from the store. Unfortunately, unless you take care of your bra you will find your bra needs to be replaced sooner rather than later. Many people just toss the bra in the washer and dryer, thinking this is going to be okay. Yes, you have heard before that you should be hand washing and line-drying your bras, but you don't have time to do that and want an easy solution to the bra care problem

The heat from the dryer is really bad for your bra. If you have an entirely cotton bra, it can even shrink a little, making it more likely for underwires to poke through, no matter how reinforced the bra is. There is never a good time to put a bra in the dryer. But if you still want to save time, you can get away with washing your bra in the washing machine. Here are a few tips to clean your favorite bras more quickly than the somewhat overwhelming hand wash, line dry theory.
If you toss your bra in the washing machine, make sure you switch your washer to the "delicate" cycle.

• Hook the back clasps on the bra. It prevents twisting and makes it less likely for the underwire to get twisted in the bra. Consider tightening the shoulder straps as well so there is less to get tangled around another bra or piece of clothing in the washing machine.
• Set the rinse for cool or cold. This can make the elastic in the bra snap back to its original shape as long as the bra isn't too old.
• Do not put your bras in the dryer. No, really. It ruins the bra. Hang it up to dry in your laundry room, or in the bathroom, or somewhere else. Leave the back clasped and fix the cups before hanging up to dry.
• Remember, delicates are called that for a reason! Bras are made with elastic and possibly lace as well as other very sensitive fabrics within the bra. The plastic clips or metal hooks need to be taken care of properly, as well, so they don't melt, warp, or wear out prematurely.

Switch up Bras on Various Days
Avoid wearing your bra for two consecutive days. Your body exudes heat and heat makes the Lycra in the bra stretch when it is warm. Wearing your bra for more than one day in a row will cause it to deteriorate faster. Lycra needs at least 24 hours to cool off --- so alternating bras each day will go a long way towards good bra care.

Never Machine Dry Bras
All-around bra care is important. Whether your bra is under wire or soft cup, putting it in the dryer will severely shorten its life and distort its shape. Instead, hang your bra over your shower rod or on an outside clothesline to dry naturally. This will help to keep the shape of your bra and extend its life longer.

Store Bras Properly
Caring for your bras properly also means taking measures to store them correctly. In many cases, bras are haphazardly placed into a lingerie drawer with other bras and lingerie items. This contributes to wear and tear on your bra because the hooks and snaps on your intimate apparel can snare the fabric and cause tears in your bras. It is best to store bras in a separate drawer, folded neatly so they can stay in top condition.

Washing Intimate Apparel
Invest in a delicate care wash bag for your intimate apparel. A delicate care wash bag allows you to wash your intimate apparel in a washing machine without damaging sensitive fabrics. If hand-washing is not an option, this wash bag is the best way to ensure that your intimate apparel
won't be damaged in the washing machine. After spending the time and money to be fitted and searching for the perfect style, caring for your bra properly is important. Wash bras on the delicate cycle and protect them with a lingerie wash bag. Rotate among three or four of your best bras. This might seem like a lot of effort, however, if you invest time in caring for your bra and other intimate apparel, your collection will last much longer.