The Biggest Bra Care Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Your bras work hard, supporting your body and your confidence, so you can tackle whatever is thrown at you. But even the best-fitting bras will eventually let you down if they’re not cared for properly. 

Here are the most common bra care mistakes NZ women make (and how to fix them). With just a few changes, you can make a big difference to the lifespan of your bras, and keep them looking lovely for longer.

1. Washing bras unprotected

We get it, life’s busy. But popping your everyday bras straight into the wash with jeans and towels is a fast track to twisted wires, stretched straps, and scuffed lace.

Machine washing is perfectly fine, in fact, we recommend it. But, and this is a big caveat, only if you do it properly:

• Always place your bras in a lingerie wash bag

• Do up the hooks and eyes before washing to prevent snags

• Wash on a gentle, lukewarm cycle (up to 40°C)

• Use a mild detergent, no bleach or fabric softener

While other brands may recommend a cold or hand wash, we’ve found a gentle warm cycle does a better job at removing natural oils, deodorants, and body lotions. We’ve tested our fabrics at 40°C to make sure the colours stay true, so there’s no need to worry about fading. And the gentle machine motion is actually easier on the fibres than hand-scrubbing, which can rough up lace and elastic. If you want a full step-by-step on washing, our washing guide has everything laid out clearly.

2. Using harsh detergents

Your bra’s elastic and lace is delicate and regular laundry powders are just too strong. Over time, you’ll find that the fabric fades, the stretch gets weaker and everything starts to lose it oomph. 

Instead, choose a gentle, lingerie-safe detergent designed for delicates or baby clothes. You'll find plenty of NZ and international manufacturers that offer gentle lines as part of their range.

3. Twisting or wringing out your bra

While we don’t recommend hand-washing, we know some people prefer to. If you do, make sure to resist the urge to wring out your bras after washing. Twisting the cups or bands can stretch and distort the shape, especially if there’s underwire. Instead, gently press out the excess water using a towel, reshape the cups, and lay flat to dry.

4. Drying in direct sun or on a heater

The NZ sun is strong, which is brilliant for drying your sheets, but not so much for your bras. Heat and UV rays break down elastic and fade colour faster than anything else. So, we recommend air drying your bras flat on a clothes horse or hanging them by the centre gore (the part between the cups), out of direct sunlight. A bit of shade and patience go a long way.

5. Folding or stuffing bras into drawers

Crumpling bras into a drawer is one of the fastest ways to ruin their shape. Cups collapse, wires twist, and padding creases. Store them flat with cups facing up, or nest them one behind the other. For more bra storage tips, check out  How to Store Your Bras, where we share tips for keeping things neat and damage-free.

6. Wearing the same bra every day

We all have a favourite, but wearing the same bra on repeat doesn’t do it any favours. Elastic needs time to recover between wears so aim to keep at least three in rotation; one on, one ready, one in the wash. Not only will they last longer, but you’ll always have a fresh option on hand.

Make bra care part of your self-care

Good bra care is about giving a little love back to something that supports you daily.

A gentle wash, a bit of shade, and proper storage will help your bras last. Show them a little care, and they’ll return it every wear.

Bra Washing FAQs

Q: How often should I wash my bras?

A: Most bras can be worn two to three times between washes if you rotate them. Sports bras or padded styles should be washed after each wear.

Q: Can I machine wash bras?

A: Yes, and we actually recommend it. Just make sure to use a wash bag, do up the hooks, and wash on a gentle lukewarm cycle (around 40°C). Skip the tumble dryer and let them air dry.

Q: What detergent should I use for bras?

A: Use a gentle, lingerie-safe detergent. Avoid bleach or fabric softener, which can weaken elastic and damage lace. 

Q: Can bras go in the dryer?

A: We don’t recommend putting bras in the dryer as the tumbling action and high heat can weaken the elastic. Instead, dry on a clothes horse or line in the shade. Avoid direct sunlight, heaters, or dryers.

Q: What’s the most common bra care mistake?

A: The big ones are washing without a bag, wringing out water, drying in the sun, and storing bras folded or crushed. Avoid those, and your bras will last far longer.