How to Wash a Sports Bra (and Make It Last Longer)

The stretch in a sports bra comes from elastane, and elastane is what wears out first. Heat, fabric softener and rough washing all shorten its life. Washing a sports bra properly takes about the same time as washing it badly, and it keeps the support you paid for for longer.

The short version

• Wash after every sweaty session.
• Cold water, gentle cycle, inside out, in a mesh bag.
• Mild detergent. No fabric softener, no bleach.
• Never tumble dry. Air dry away from direct heat.

Always check the care label first. If it says something different from this guide, follow the label.

How often should you wash a sports bra?

After every workout you've sweated in. Sweat, skin oils and bacteria build up in the fabric, and the longer they sit, the harder the smell is to shift. If you wore it for something light and it's dry and fresh, one more wear is fine. Don't leave a damp bra balled up in your gym bag. If you can't wash it straight away, rinse it in cold water and hang it to dry.

Machine washing

1. Fasten any hooks and remove removable pads (wash them separately in a mesh bag, or by hand).
2. Turn it inside out. This protects the outer face, which matters most for shiny or printed fabrics like our Shine Liquid Bra and Snakeskin Metallic Sports Bra.
3. Put it in a mesh laundry bag so the straps don't stretch or tangle.
4. Cold water, gentle or delicates cycle, with a small amount of mild or sports detergent.
5. Wash with similar fabrics. Keep sports bras away from towels, denim, zips and Velcro, which rough up the surface.

Hand washing

Hand washing is the gentlest option and takes about five minutes:

1. Fill a basin with cool water and add a little mild detergent.
2. Submerge the bra and gently squeeze the water through it, focusing on the band and underarms.
3. Leave it to soak for 10–15 minutes.
4. Rinse in cold water until the water runs clear.
5. Press out the water by rolling it in a towel. Don't wring or twist it.

Drying

Air dry only. Lay it flat or hang it over a rail by the band, not the straps. Keep it out of direct sun and away from radiators. Don't tumble dry. Heat is the fastest way to break down elastane, and a bra that's been through the dryer a few times loses its hold. Dry removable pads flat and reshape them while they're damp.

Getting rid of sweat smell

If a bra still smells after washing:

• Soak it for 30 minutes in cold water with a splash of white vinegar before washing as normal.
• Use less detergent, not more. Excess detergent that doesn't rinse out traps odour.
• Skip fabric softener. It leaves a coating that holds on to smells and stops the fabric wicking sweat. That matters even more on bras with an anti-odour finish, like our Open Back Cross Bra.

Storage

Fold sports bras flat, or roll them. Don't hang them by the straps for long periods, as the straps will stretch. If a bra has moulded cups or pads, stack it rather than folding it in half.

Rotate, and know when to replace

Rotating between two or three bras gives the elastane time to recover between wears. Even with good care, sports bras don't last forever. It's time for a new one when the band stretches easily away from your body or no longer feels snug on the tightest setting. See Sports Bra Support Levels Explained for how to check the fit, and which support level to choose next time.

Quick answers

Can I put a sports bra in the dryer?
It's best not to. Heat damages elastane, and the bra will lose its support faster.

Why does my sports bra still smell after washing?
Usually it's detergent or fabric softener residue trapping odour, or the bra sat damp before it was washed. Try a vinegar soak and use less detergent.

Should I wash a new sports bra before wearing it?
Yes. Give it a cold, gentle wash first.

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