How to Wash Your Nursing Bras (Without Ruining Them)
I still remember the first nursing bra I ever bought. It was soft, luxurious, and made me feel like me again. Not just a milk machine.
Fast forward a few weeks… it looked like it had survived a zombie apocalypse.
I didn’t realise then how much a little extra TLC could have saved it. If you are staring at your beautiful nursing bras and wondering how to keep them looking and feeling amazing, you are in the right place.
Let’s talk all about it, from mom to mom.
Why Proper Washing Matters for Your Nursing Bras
Your nursing bras aren’t just regular bras.
They are made with softer fabrics, extra stretch, and special support where you need it most. All of that magic? It’s also super delicate.
Frequent washing… which, let’s be real, happens a lot when you are breastfeeding. Often, they can wear them out faster if you are not careful.
Think stretched-out straps, sagging cups, and faded colours. (Nobody has time for sad bras.)
Treating them kindly means they will last longer, feel better, and keep supporting you the way they should.
At Lovemère, we believe caring for your bras is an essential part of caring for yourself, that is why we share so much about proper bra care.
Hand Wash vs. Machine Wash: What’s Best?
Hand Washing: The Gold Standard
Hand washing is like giving your bras a spa day.
Here’s how to do it without making it a chore:
- Fill a basin with cool or cold water.
- Add a small amount of gentle detergent (more on that in a sec).
- Swish your bras around gently.
- Let them soak for about 10–15 minutes.
- Rinse well and press out the water (no wringing!).
It sounds like a lot, but honestly, it takes just a few extra minutes, and it’s so worth it. I usually do it while catching up on a podcast or while my little one is taking a nap.
Machine Washing: The Busy-Mom Shortcut
If you absolutely need to machine wash (some days just surviving is the win):
- Use a lingerie bag to protect your bras.
- Choose the delicate or hand-wash cycle.
- Use cool/cold water only.
- Fasten the hooks to prevent snagging.
I always toss my bras in a bag with a few lightweight items (like baby clothes) but never with heavy jeans or towels that can beat them up.
Choosing the Right Detergent and Water Temperature
Now, about detergent.
Skip anything strong, scented, or filled with “brighteners.”
Look for a mild, fragrance-free detergent. The kind you would trust on your baby’s clothes.
And remember:
- No bleach.
- No fabric softeners, as they leave a coating that weakens elastic.
- Stick to cold or cool water, as hot water can break down the fabric faster than a toddler can break a crayon.
Drying Your Nursing Bras the Right Way
Dryers = disaster for nursing bras.
I learned that the hard way when one of mine came out looking like a crumpled tissue.
Here’s how to do it right:
- Gently press out excess water with a towel, and remember don’t twist.
- Lay your bras flat on a towel to air dry.
- Reshape the cups and straps while damp.
- Keep them away from direct sunlight or heaters as that which can weaken the fibres.
Pro tip: I dry mine on a towel over a drying rack as it keeps them in good shape and doesn’t stretch the bands out.
Common Mistakes That Ruin Nursing Bras
Even with the best intentions and with our daily tasks, it’s easy to slip up. Here are the biggest culprits:
- Over-washing. You don’t need to wash after every single wear unless it’s sweaty or milk-stained.
- Using hot water. Seriously, it’s the fast track to sad and floppy bras.
- Stretching the fabric. Wringing, yanking, and aggressive towel drying. It’s a no-go.
- Tossing them in the dryer.
Be a little gentle and your bras will stay comfy, supportive, and beautiful for a long time.
Washing your nursing bras doesn’t have to be a big, fussy task.
Photo taken by Bows & Ribbons Photography. Featured - Love, Juliette Nursing Bralette
A little love goes a long way, and trust me, when you slip into a soft, perfectly supportive bra after a long, exhausting night… you will be so glad you did.
FAQ:
Yes, you can, but with a few non-negotiable steps to protect the fabric and shape
Always place your bras in a lingerie bag before putting them in the machine. This prevents snagging, tangling, and the kind of stretching that happens when straps get caught on other items.
Select the delicate or hand-wash cycle and use cool or cold water only. Fasten any hooks beforehand to avoid them catching on the fabric. Wash your bras alongside lightweight items like baby clothing rather than heavy pieces like jeans or towels, which can beat the fabric around and cause unnecessary wear
Hand washing will always be gentler, but on the days when surviving is the win, machine washing done properly is a perfectly reasonable option.
More often than a regular bra, but not necessarily after every single wear.
Over-washing is one of the most common mistakes that shortens the life of a nursing bra.Unless your bra is visibly soiled, sweaty, or milk-stained, you do not need to wash it after every use. Washing after every two to three wears is a good general guide.
That said, during the early weeks of breastfeeding when leaking is frequent, you may find yourself washing more regularly. If that is the case, rotating between three or five bras means each one gets adequate rest between washes, which helps the elastic recover and the fabric hold its shape longer.
No. The dryer is the single fastest way to ruin a nursing bra.
Heat breaks down fabric and elastic quickly, and a bra that goes through even a few dryer cycles can come out misshapen, stretched, or with cups that have lost their structure entirely.
The right method is to gently press out excess water with a towel without wringing or twisting, then lay the bra flat on a towel to air dry. Reshape the cups and straps while the fabric is still damp. Keep them away from direct sunlight and heaters, as intense heat has the same effect as a dryer, even when air drying.
It takes a little longer, but your bras will thank you for it.
Seamless bras require a little extra care because the construction, which is what makes them so comfortable, is also what makes them more vulnerable to rough handling
Hand washing is the best method for seamless styles. Fill a basin with cool or cold water, add a small amount of gentle detergent, swish the bra gently, and let it soak for around 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing the fabric directly, as this can distort the seamless knit structure over time.
Skip fabric softeners entirely. They leave a coating on the fibres that weakens the elastic, which is especially damaging to the stretchy construction that makes seamless bras so effective.
If you do machine wash a seamless bra, always use a lingerie bag on the delicate cycle with cold water. Never tumble dry.
Yes, meaningfully so
Hand washing is gentler on every part of the bra: the fabric, the elastic, the nursing clips, and the overall shape. It gives you more control over how the bra is handled, which means less stretching, less friction, and less heat exposure compared to even a gentle machine cycle.
A nursing bra that is washed and cared for properly can last significantly longer, staying comfortable, supportive, and well-fitting throughout your breastfeeding journey. One that goes through rough machine cycles without protection tends to lose its shape and elasticity much sooner.
If hand washing every time feels like too much on top of everything else you are managing, a good middle ground is to hand wash your most-worn or most delicate bras and reserve the machine for sturdier styles. Either way, cold water, gentle detergent, and air drying are the three things that matter most.
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