There are few things more personal than your favorite bra. You’ve probably worn it to job interviews, first dates, and Sunday mornings when doing laundry sounds like a war crime. But bras, like relationships, need maintenance. Ignore that, and the elastic will slack, the straps will stretch, and the fabric will fray.
Most bras should be washed every three to four wears. Sweat, body oils, deodorant, and perfume build up faster than you think, and those delicate fabrics aren’t designed to withstand a reckless spin on “Heavy Duty.” Treating your bras with care keeps them looking new, smelling clean, and supporting you like they’re supposed to.
Below, we’ll show you how to wash them properly—without turning your favorite undergarments into a sad, tangled mess.
1. Close the Hooks on the Bra
Start by fastening the back hooks. It’s a small step that prevents the metal clasps from snagging on lace, mesh, or other delicates. Leaving them open is like tossing tiny fishhooks into your laundry—it’s chaos waiting to happen.
2. Place the Bras in a Mesh Laundry Bag
A mesh laundry bag is like a seatbelt for your lingerie. It keeps bras from twisting, stretching, and tangling with other garments. Think of it as a bodyguard protecting your most fragile assets. Slide each bra into its own compartment (or give them enough room to breathe), zip it up, and toss it in.
3. Add a Laundry Pod to Your Washer Drum
You don’t need a chemistry degree to wash a bra. Just drop a Laundry Sauce detergent pod into your washer drum. Our formula is tough on sweat, oils, and deodorant stains—but gentle on fine fabrics, so your lace and silk won’t lose their shape or softness.
And while we’re at it, your lingerie deserves to smell as sophisticated as it looks. Try French Saffron (warm and a little mysterious), Egyptian Rose (floral without being fussy), or Italian Bergamot (bright and refreshingly modern).
You’ll open your drawer and think you accidentally wandered into a boutique in Milan.
No matter what your care tag says, these must-haves keep your clothes looking and smelling their best—minus the guesswork.
4. Select the Delicate Cycle
Your washer has a “Delicate” cycle for a reason—use it when you’re washing bras. It’s designed for gentle agitation and slower spin speeds, reducing the stress on elastic and stitching. If your bras were people, they’d be the ones who prefer yoga to CrossFit.
5. Use Cold Water
Hot water breaks down elastic faster than time and gravity combined. Cold water, on the other hand, keeps your bras looking and feeling like new. It’s gentler on both the fabric and the planet, and when paired with Laundry Sauce pods, it still delivers a deep, effective clean.
6. Remove and Reshape
Once the cycle ends, don’t let your bras marinate in a damp heap. Remove them right away and gently reshape the cups with your hands. This helps them dry evenly and maintain their natural contour. Skip the wringing or twisting—it’ll warp the fabric and ruin the fit faster than you can say “underwire poke.”
7. Air-Dry
If you take only one thing from this guide, let it be this: Never put bras in the dryer. Heat weakens elastic, warps padding, and can even melt certain materials. Lay your bras flat on a towel or hang them by the center gore (that little piece between the cups), not the straps—otherwise, you’ll stretch them out. It might take a bit longer, but air-drying keeps your investment intact.
Common Questions About Washing Bras
Bras are complicated little pieces of engineering. So here’s a rapid-fire round for your lingering laundry doubts.
Is It Okay to Put Bras in the Washing Machine?
Yes—if you follow the rules. Always use a mesh bag, the delicate cycle, and cold water. Otherwise, you’re better off hand washing.
How Often Should I Wash My Bras?
Every three to four wears, depending on how much you sweat. Sports bras? Every time. No exceptions.
Can Bras Go in the Dryer?
Never. The heat kills elasticity and reshapes padding. Air-dry every time.
Why Do My Bras Smell Bad Even After Washing?
It’s usually leftover oils and detergent buildup. Use less detergent and switch to a high-performance pod like Laundry Sauce—its deep-cleaning enzymes break through residue and leave your fabrics smelling elevated, not “cleaning-product clean.”
Laundry Sauce: The Overachiever for Your Undergarments
Your bras may not get the spotlight like your favorite jeans or your Sunday dress. But they deserve a wash routine that treats them like the wardrobe essentials they are.
Laundry Sauce takes the guesswork (and the grunt work) out of laundry day. Our pods are gentle enough for your delicates, strong enough for your gym clothes, and scented like a premium perfume.
Remember: The most beautiful outfit starts with what’s underneath. Treat your bras like they matter, because they do.
