How to wash your bras - The Primary Way

At Primary, we believe the way we care for our essentials reflects the way we care for ourselves. That’s why we treat bra care as a small but meaningful ritual - one that helps preserve the integrity, comfort and longevity of each piece.

Whether you're caring for bralettes, triangle bras, strapless bras or shapewear, the foundation of proper bra care is always the same: gentle handling, the right wash method and air drying.

And yes - it makes a difference.

The Best Method: Hand Washing

We recommend hand washing your bras whenever possible. It’s the gentlest method, and the one we trust at Primary to preserve the fit, softness and support of our lingerie pieces.

Why Hand Wash?

Preserves the shape - Machines can twist and crush structured cups and underwire, making bras lose their fit faster.
Protects delicate materials - Fabrics like lace, mesh, satin and embroidery deserve extra care to stay beautiful.
Prolongs elasticity - Hot water and harsh detergents can weaken stretch over time.
Prevents hook and strap damage - No more bent clasps or snagged bands.
Keeps underwire in place - A little gentleness goes a long way toward avoiding popped wires.

How We Hand Wash at Primary

Here’s our go-to method for hand washing bras:

Fill a basin with lukewarm water.
Add a gentle detergent made specifically for lingerie or delicates.
Soak your bras for 10–15 minutes to loosen sweat, body oils, and light dirt.
Gently agitate the fabric, especially around the straps and band.
Rinse thoroughly with cool water until no soap remains.
Press (don’t wring!) - lay the bra on a towel and gently press out excess water.
Lay flat to dry or hang from the center gore (the middle part between the cups) - not the straps, to avoid stretching.

This method is gentle, effective, and gives your bras the best chance at a long, supportive life.

Machine Washing when Inevitably Necessary

We know hand washing isn't always realistic - and that’s okay. If you need to use a washing machine, here’s how to do it the Primary-approved way:

Use a lingerie bag - this protects your bras from snags and stretching.
Hook the clasps to prevent them from catching on other items.
Select a delicate cycle with cold water.
Use a gentle detergent - and skip fabric softeners (they break down elastic).
Air dry only - never tumble dry. Lay flat on a towel or hang from the center gore.

Extra Bra Care Tips from Us

Wash sparingly - We suggest washing every 2–3 wears, or when needed. Over-washing wears out bras faster.
Wash after sweat-heavy days - If you've worked out or it's been a hot day, it’s worth a gentle wash to prevent odor and discoloration.
Rotate your bras - Give your bras time to rest between wears. It helps them return to their natural shape and keeps the elastic strong.