Important! Washing Rules and Tips for Sports Bras!

Washing bras is a whole topic in itself. But once you've mastered washing your everyday bra, you may be wondering if the rules for washing sports bras are exactly the same. 
It's not just that everyday bras and sports bras have different material components. It's also the way you use them. If you're sweating profusely, that's a completely different situation than if you're using a bra on a daily basis. So here are the specific rules for cleaning sports bras ......

Must be followed

Here are some ideas from sports bra and leggings supplier OSTAR, and we hope they can help you.

Wash immediately

If you are really sweating during your workout, it is recommended that you wash your bra immediately after your workout. If you go to work from the gym, don't let it sit there all day sweating. Some women will even take their bras to the showers and rinse them off while at the gym. 
This is because sweat (and the salt it contains) can damage the elasticity of a bra. Second, sweat doesn't usually smell when it's wet, but when it dries out and becomes stale, it's harder to change that smell.

Wash frequently

It is usually recommended that you wash your daily bra every 3 wears or so. This assumes a low to moderate activity level (sitting at a desk, walking, etc.). Obviously, this recommendation will change on, for example, very hot days, as you may sweat more.
For sports bras, the recommendation is more aggressive: you should wash your sports bra after each workout. Again, this is because sweat can seriously damage the elasticity and appearance of a bra.

Don't use fabric softener

Most sports bras can be safely placed in the machine (follow the steps further down). However, fabric softeners should never be used in any sportswear. Fabric softeners are designed for natural fabrics (cotton, linen, etc.) and are therefore suitable for towels and sheets.
Either skip the softener altogether or separate your garments so that your synthetic garments have no softener.

Skip the dryer

While you can safely toss most sports bras in the washing machine (follow the guidelines outlined further), the dryer should be considered the enemy of bras.
The heat of the dryer can cause elastic bands to snap and break. Remember, the whole point of a sports bra is to provide extra support, so you definitely want to maintain its elasticity.

Hand Washing Bras

If you think hand washing your bra is the main pain you know it is, then you are probably doing it wrong. It can actually be a very hands-off activity. Hand wash your bra as follows. 

Step 1: Fill the sink with warm (not hot) water and a mild detergent. Gently rinse the water to make sure the detergent is properly mixed and dissolved.

Step 2: Submerge the bra in water. Just like any time you wash your clothes, separate the lights from the darker colors and wash them together.

Step 3: Let them soak! Aim for about 10 to 15 minutes. But you can let the bras soak for an hour.

Step 4: Stir the bras in the water. Swirl and rotate each bra in the water. You want to make sure to stir up any dirt on the fabric.

Step 5: Rinse. Under running warm water, rinse each bra until the water becomes clear. 

Step 6: Don't wring! Instead, press gently between two small towels to gently absorb excess water.

Finally

Try staggering your bra purchases so you don't have to replace your entire underwear drawer at once (an expensive task). Instead, add new bras and phase out the old ones on a semi-regular basis (every quarter or every two years). This way, it's easier on your wallet to make sure your bras stay fresh. 

Find your favorite sports bra in the OSTAR website, or contact us for a customized service and we'll provide you with the perfect solution.