5 Tips for Drying Your Bras
You’re washing your bras the right way, following the steps in our washing guide, but now comes the part that will make or break how long they stay in good shape. If you’ve ever held up a damp bra and wondered, “Okay… now what?” you’re in good company. Drying bras can feel like guesswork, but once you know what to avoid, the rest is easy.
Whether your top drawers are packed with padded or lace bras, a few simple habits will keep them feeling soft, and lasting far longer. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Air dry, always
If your bra could talk, it would beg you to skip the dryer. All that intense heat is a surefire way to damage the elastic and make any lace details crunchy.
Avoid machine heat and instead let the breeze do its thing. Letting your bra air dry naturally helps to protect its materials and keep everything supportive and springy, ready for its next wear.
2. Keep your bras out of direct sunlight
Sunshine is great for sheets, but not so much for bras. NZ’s UV index is famously fierce, and it can be super rough on colour and elastic.
Pop your bras somewhere where they’ll get enough airflow but not be in direct sun. Under a veranda, on an indoor clothes horse, or even on the laundry bench with the window cracked.
3. Hang by the centre gore (not the straps)
Where do you peg your bra? Most of us instinctively hang bras by the straps… but over time, those straps (or worse, a single strap) will slowly stretch out and impact how the bra sits on your shoulders during the day.
Instead, take your bra by the centre gore (where the cups meet), fold it gently over the line or rack so that both cups hang evenly, and peg in the middle.
It dries faster, keeps the weight balanced, and stops the straps from doing a job they were never meant to do.
4. Lay lace and delicates flat
Soft lace and mesh deserve a little breathing room. Lying them flat on a towel helps them dry without stretching or sagging. If you’re short on bench space, laying the cups flat across the bars of a clothes horse works just as well.
For more storage and shape-saving tips (the natural next step after drying), read How to Store Your Bras.
5. Press, don’t twist
If you’re trying to dry your bra fast, a quick twist can feel like the fastest way to get the water out, but twisting is one of the biggest reasons bras lose their shape. Wet elastic stretches easily, and wringing can bend wires or crush cups.
Instead, lay your bra on a clean towel and press (don’t roll or wring) to absorb extra water. Reshape the cups while they’re still damp, especially if they’re moulded or lightly padded. You can do this by smoothing the cups upward from the base with your hands, following their natural curve.
Shop bras online at Rose & Thorne
With a bit of shade, a little reshaping, and the centre-gore hanging trick, your bras will stay looking and feeling their best for much longer. So, now that you have all the knowledge on how to wash, dry and store your bras, you can confidently invest in some new beauties.
Shop our new arrivals or check your size, and enjoy the amazing fit you only get from Rose & Thorne Bras.
Bra Drying FAQs
Can I dry my bras in the early morning or late afternoon sun?
It’s best to avoid it. The sun is strong enough to fade colours and weaken elastic surprisingly quickly. Your bras will last much longer if you stick to drying them in the shade or indoors with good airflow.
How long do bras take to air dry?
Most bras take 4-12 hours, depending on fabric and humidity. Moulded cups may take a little longer. If they’re still damp after a night on the line or clothes horse, simply flip them for better airflow.
Can I put my bras in the dryer on low heat?
We know it’s tempting, but even low heat can damage elastic and warp wires. A dryer shortens a bra’s lifespan so air drying is always the better option.
Should I reshape bra cups after washing?
Yes, especially if your bra has moulded or lightly padded cups. A quick, gentle reshape while the cups are still damp helps them dry smooth and keeps their natural curve.
