How to wash a: BRA

Here at The holy dose™ we take pride in providing you with the resources to tackle real life problems. This is part one of an ongoing series: HOW TO WASH A (BLANK).

This seems like really important information for husbands, boyfriends, and women new to bras. And murderers.

How to Wash a Bra

Laundry time again.

Bras can seem like alien clothing to wash, but it is really quite easy. If you're a husband, boyfriend, or a woman new to bras, or if you'd like to take better care of your investment, here are some tips for you.

[edit] Steps

1. 

   Close the clasps.
   Close the clasps before washing. Most bras have clasps on them, whether they attach in the front or back. These have a tendency to catch on other items in the wash. If yours is an athletic bra or slip-on type without closures, don't worry about this step.
2. 

   Put bras in a lingerie bag.
   Put bras in a zip-up, net bag (sometimes called a lingerie bag) that separates them from other items in the wash. This will prevent snagging. You can then wash bras at the same time as other items in your washing machine.
3. 

   Wash in a washing machine.
   Wash bras in cold or warm water on the gentle cycle of the washing machine.
4. Make sure as with any other items you launder that the items are of compatible colors. If you wash a red bra with a number of white bras you may end up with a selection of pink, polka-dotted, or tie-dyed clothing.
5. Wash bras with fabrics of a similar weight. Jeans and towels are much heavier than bras. T-shirts, underwear, socks and pajamas are better choices for filling up that load.
6. Reshape the bra if it has foam or batting in the cups.
7. 

   Air drying is gentlest.
   Air dry the bra if at all possible. It is by far the gentlest way. When air drying the bra, lay the bra flat because hanging can reshape or damage the form of the cup. If you do dry the bra in a dryer, dry it on a low to medium setting. Heat can damage it, as can catching on or tangling with other items in the dryer.

[edit] Tips

• 

  Read the directions, too.
  If the bra label has special care instructions, follow them.
• No lingerie bag? You can also use a pillowcase with a knot tied in the top.
• Bras can easily be hand washed, too. Simply swish them in a tub or sink full of water with enough laundry soap to make suds. A gentle fabric cleaner such as Woolite or even a bit of shampoo will also work. Then, rinse thoroughly, squeeze (do not wring or twist) out excess water by sandwiching it in a dry clean towel, and hang to dry.
• Do not bleach bras, or if you feel you must bleach them for some reason, use a non-chlorine bleach. Over time, chlorine bleach degrades spandex, a common material in bras.
• In general, you should not -- and should not need to --iron bras.

[edit] Warnings

• Snagging can damage bras in two ways. The first is tearing the material or stitching. The second is by bending the underwire that accompanies most bras. Even after reshaping the bent underwire, it can leave kinks that will be uncomfortable for the wearer.