This Is How Often You Should Wash Your Bra

You wear your bra right up against your skin, so it may feel like you need to wash it after every single use. But lingerie experts say that may be taking things a bit too far.

So exactly how often should you wash your bra? And how should you launder it so it stays in great shape for as long as possible? Get the expert advice you need to help your bra last as long as possible—and cut down on your laundry loads, too.

Fun Fact: You Don’t Have to Wash Your Bra Every Time You Wear It

If you’re a fan of not doing a lot of laundry, you’re in luck: Washing your bra after every wear is actually not a great idea. “You don’t need to wash your bra every time you wear it unless it’s particularly sweaty or stained,” says Ra’el Cohen, co-founder and chief creative officer of lingerie brand Third Love. “Overwashing can weaken delicate fabrics and elastic.” Cohen recommends wearing your bra a few times before you wash it.

How to Decide if Your Bra Is Ready to Be Washed

Your bras may need more or less frequent cleaning, depending on a number of different factors. To decide if your bra needs to be tossed in the laundry basket, consider the following:

The weather

You’ll need to wash your bras more often during the summer, when you’re more likely to sweat a lot. Body oils and sweat can degrade the material of the bra over time.

Your activity level

Obviously, a bra worn through a strenuous hike or a hot yoga class is probably ready to hit the showers along with you. “Bras worn during workouts or strenuous activities need cleaning after each use,” Cohen advises.

Your bra size

If you wear a larger cup size, you may sweat a bit more into your bra, so you may need to wash it more often.

The bra material

Some bra fabrics—like those heavy-duty sports bras—can handle more wear and tear (and more frequent cleaning) than others. “Fabrics like lace or silk are more delicate and may require gentler, less frequent washing compared to synthetic blends, like nylon, spandex, or polyester, which tend to be more durable,” Cohen says.

The sniff test

It probably goes without saying, but if your bra looks (or smells) gross, toss it in the wash! But Cohen recommends tossing a bra in the wash before it gets this far—as sweat and body oil can still be present and damaging your bra, even if it smells fine.

Tips to Help Your Bras Last Longer (and Survive the Wash)

Bras tend to be made of more delicate fabrics. So you’ll want to err on the side of gentleness when it comes to laundering. “Avoid scrubbing, wringing, or rubbing the fabric—especially for lace and underwire bras, which are prone to wear and tear,” Cohen says. “The goal here is to clean without disrupting their shape.”

Follow the tips below to make sure that your bras last as long possible.

Don’t wear the same bra twice in a row

“Rotating your bras and washing them regularly—even if they seem clean—helps maintain their longevity and hygiene,” Cohen says. Have at least three bras in your regular rotation to give each one time to rest before putting them back to work, as wearing the same bra twice in a row will put stress on the bra’s elastic.

Spot clean between washings

You don’t have to always go full-on with your bra laundering. If you have a small stain, dab with mild soap and water instead of doing a full wash, Cohen says.

Protect your bras when you’re washing them

You’ll want to use gentle detergents, cool water, and delicate wash cycles (if you’re using the washing machine) to launder your bra. Make sure you use a mesh lingerie bag if you’re machine washing your bras, to protect them from snagging and damage.

No matter how you wash your bras, using the clothes dryer is a definite no-no. “The delicate fabrics break down in extreme heat,” Cohen says. Instead, press out any excess water—no wringing!–and air-dry your bra flat.

Watch for signs of wear

No bra will last forever, even if you’re careful about washing it. Watch for stretched bands, loose elasticity, or underwires poking out—that means it’s time to go bra shopping.