Bra Care Guide

There are some essential tips to ensure you get the most out of your lingerie, and I, for one, am all about extending the life out of my bras and underwear. There is no reason why you can’t get years out of your Modern Match Lingerie purchase, so I’m here to share all the ways you can extend the life of your bras wit our bra care guide.

I’m sure you can look in your current underwear drawer and see a combination of bras: ones you wear daily and some you likely haven’t worn for years. It might be because the fit isn’t the same, the fabric wasn’t comfortable enough, or perhaps it was meant for a particular outfit. Regardless, it’s time to donate those perfectly good bras to someone who could use them and fill your underwear drawer with soft, supportive, and comfortable bras you can feel incredible in.

There is no single way but a combination of ways to make your bras last. 

If you want your bra to last years AND still be supportive, the secret is to have more in rotation. The elastic in the fabric is affected by how much we stretch it, movement, heat, and body oils. Three or four in rotation will extend the life, giving the elastic a break. The average life cycle for a bra is about 6 months. You can keep those three or four bras for much longer by having more in your drawer that you wear daily.

How you wash matters

For most of us, handwashing isn’t always the most convenient, and in a world that has trained us to have instant gratification, I get it. So, although handwashing is the preferred method, I’ll give you three options in our bra care guide: best, good and if you must.

Best Option:

Handwash. Fill a sink with lukewarm water and a tsp of gentle detergent. If you’re washing more than one, adjust the amount of detergent as necessary. Work the soap gently into the fabric, focusing on the high sweat areas: the back clasp, the bottom of the cup, and under the arms. If you have stains, gently dap with a cloth.
Give your bra a good rinse, ensuring you don’t leave any suds behind and lay flat to dry on a towel. We don’t hang our bras because it can affect the shape of the cup and strains the wet straps.

Good Option:

Machine wash on a gentle cycle (no dryer). If time is of the essence, you can use a gentle cycle on your washing machine. I highly recommend using a wash bag to put your bras in first. The hooks can get caught in the wash, tangled in other clothes, or hooked on sweaters. Use a simple mesh wash bag to protect your bras and other garments. I also recommend using a mild detergent. We use a mild detergent because, for some of us, we are putting material on sensitive areas. It’s best to play it safe to avoid irritation and protect the lace and elastic.
Always lay flat to dry. The machine dryer blows out too high of heat and breaks your elastic down quickly, leaving you with an unsupportive bra far too soon. It also can warp cups and lace. I recommend laying flat to dry on a towel to absorb excess water.

If you must option:

If you don’t have time to fuss with handwashing and delicate cycles, but you still want to make your bras last, use a bra wash bag and toss your bras in a regular load with only similar colours. I recommend washing in cold water and please don't use the dryer. Just lay flat to dry on a towel. 

Purchasing bra tips:

I have only met a select few so enjoy the art of buying bras for the fun of it. Most of us only buy them when we need them. Mainly because it’s an emotional experience: we need them for a specific outfit, or our current faves simply aren’t fitting how they should. At Modern Match, we ensure you feel supported every step of the way. Whether you’re buying online or in person, know our team is here to help. Click the chat button or message us on social. We’re happy to help you find the best fit and style, whatever the occasion is.