Caring for your bra shouldn't feel like rocket science. With just a few easy steps, you can keep your bras looking and feeling great for longer. Let’s dive into some industry-insider tips to ensure your intimates stay pristine as long as possible.
Always Start on the First Row of Hooks 🔗
When you start wearing a new bra, you want to use the first hook setting—aka the line of hooks closest to the outside edge of the bra.
Why start on the first row of hooks?
- When new, the band should be snug and supportive but not so tight that it hurts.
- As the underband naturally loosens over time, adjust to the next hook setting inward to maintain the same level of support.
- If you're already using the tightest hook from the beginning, you likely need a bra with a smaller band size.
iteration's hook + eyes have an extra row!
Besides extra padding for comfort, our hook and eye were purposefully designed with 4 columns of adjustable settings (most bras typically have 3). By giving you an extra hook and eye, you can tighten your bra over time and extend its useful life. Yeah! 🙌
Top 5 Tips to Make Your Bra Last Longer
Over time and with use, the elastics in the underband will naturally stretch. To keep that stretching out to a minimum, these are the most critical must-follow tips:
- Avoid washing with harsh detergents and bleach — these weaken elastics.
- Avoid washing and drying at high temperatures — high heat is kryptonite for elastics.
- Rotate your bras every day to give the elastics time to recover – Try to have at least 4-5 bras in rotation to prevent excessive wear.
- Wear the right size – Bras that are too loose or too tight will wear out quicker for different reasons.
- Adjust straps periodically – They can loosen over time, leading to improper fit and additional strain.
Why Our Elastics Are Different
We purposefully chose an elastic fiber different than traditional spandex for all the elastics we've used in our bras. This specialty fiber in our elastics has a better stress/strain curve than spandex. This means it can achieve a higher level of stretch with less force, so the elastics are more comfortable and better at conforming to your body. While official studies haven’t been done, we believe this will extend the lifespan of our underbands!
Good Laundering Practices 🫧
Taking care of your elastics is just one part of bra care—your overall laundry habits matter too. Here are some things to consider while you launder your bras.
WASHING
- Handwash whenever possible – Gentle cleaning keeps bras looking great longer.
- Use cold water & gentle detergent – Hot water and harsh detergents can break down elasticity.
- Fasten hooks before washing – Prevents snagging on lace, mesh, or other delicate materials.
- Whenever using a machine, pop them in a lingerie bag – This protects bras from tangling or stretching.
- Avoid fabric softeners & bleach – These degrade elastics and fabrics over time.
DRYING
- Never wring or twist wet bras – This can break down the elastic and distort the shape.
- Reshape after washing – After washing, flatten and smooth out the bottom band elastics before hang-drying to maximize comfort and longevity.
- Air dry as often as possible – Heat from dryers can warp and shrink bands, and break down elastic.
Don't stress if you’re a washer-dryer girl (like me!); just use a lingerie bag and cool temps to minimize damage.
The Bigger Picture: Why Good Care Matters 🌍
Taking care of your undergarments is a small but meaningful way to do your part. Unless we decide to start going commando on top and bottom all the time, bras and undies are here to stay.
By making them last longer, we can all buy less, buy less often, and minimize our footprint—a win for our wallets and the planet!
By following these simple steps, your bras will stay supportive, comfortable, and in great condition for much longer. 💕
