Golden rules for washing bras and delicates
<p>One thing all women can likely agree on is that a good bra is expensive.</p>
<p>Furthermore, as one needs more than one brassiere, good upkeep is paramount to make the most of your investment.</p>
<p>Extend the lifespan of your intimate apparel by handling your delicates with delicacy.</p>
<p>Here are five sensible rules to take note of when caring for your bras.</p>
<p><strong>1. Never wear the same bra two days in a row</strong></p>
<p>Ladies, we all know this is a tough one but do not play favourites here.</p>
<p>In a perfect world, allowing a bra to rest for a day between wears means that the elasticity will refresh, and in theory last longer overall.</p>
<p><strong>2. On the third wear, wash</strong></p>
<p>A bra should preferably be washed every three days. </p>
<p>So if a woman has three bras that she wears in rotation, when a bra has its third wear of the cycle, in to the washing it goes.</p>
<p><strong>3. Perfect your hand-wash</strong></p>
<p>Throwing your bras into the washing machine can damage elastic, underwires, or other clothing which may accidentally be caught on a bra's hooks.</p>
<p>If you want your bras to last, get good at your handwashing technique. </p>
<p>Fill your sink with lukewarm water and add a very small amount of a mild (ideally liquid) detergent. Next, submerge your bras, swish them around and leave to soak for 20 minutes. Rinse and drain before drying.</p>
<p><strong>4. If machine you must, use a bag</strong></p>
<p>Not everyone has time, all the time, to be a hand-washing queen, so a lingerie bag is your next best bet.</p>
<p>There are two common types of delicates bag to choose from – the simple, fine mesh sort with a zip, or a structured mesh bag that's tailored for bra protection.</p>
<p>Close the clasps on your bras before inserting into the delicates bag, select a cold, gentle wash, again with mild detergent, and away you go.</p>
<p><strong>5. Drying do's and don'ts</strong></p>
<p>A heated towel rail is fine for drying a bra in a hurry but put it in the dryer at your peril.</p>
<p>Not only might the underwires and clasp come out stinging hot ('Ow!') but it can alter the shape in general.</p>
<p>Similarly, do not hang your bra on the washing line by the straps, as the weight of the water will cause them to stretch.</p>
<p>The best way to dry your bra is flat on a drying rack. Second best, folded in the centre over a washing line.</p>
<p><em>Written by Anabela Rea. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p>
