How to Care for Your Bras to Maintain Their Shape

Quick Answer

To maintain your bra's shape, hand wash in cold water with a gentle detergent, reshape while damp, and lay flat to dry. Store bras upright or flat without folding cups, and rotate them to let elastic recover.

Bras work hard to support you, but they need a little care to keep their shape. Over time, washing and drying can stretch out elastic, flatten padding, and warp underwires. With the right routine, you can extend the life of your favorite bras and keep them fitting like new.

Whether you're caring for a classic bandeau or a pullover bra, the principles are the same: gentle washing, careful drying, and smart storage. Below, we break down the steps to preserve the structure of your bras.

Why Bra Shape Matters

A bra that loses its shape can cause discomfort and poor support. The elastic band and straps are designed to hug your body without digging in; when they stretch out, the bra rides up or offers less lift. The cups, whether molded or soft, can also develop creases or flatten if crushed in a drawer.

Caring for your bras isn't just about looks—it's about maintaining the fit that made you choose them. For example, ARQ's ZELDA BANDEAU styles are made from organic cotton and spandex, which respond well to proper care. Spandex needs gentle handling to retain its stretch.

Washing: The Gentle Approach

The most important step is to wash bras by hand or in a lingerie bag on a delicate cycle. Use cold water and a mild detergent. Hot water and harsh detergents can break down elastic fibers and cause colors to fade.

If you're washing multiple bras, don't overload the machine. This reduces friction and prevents twisting. Always fasten hooks before washing to avoid snags. For pullover styles like the WIDE-STRAP BRA, turn them inside out to protect the surface.

• Hand wash in cold water with a gentle detergent.
• Use a lingerie bag if machine washing.
• Never use bleach or fabric softeners.

Drying: Skip the Dryer

Heat is the enemy of elastic. Never put bras in the dryer, as high heat can cause shrinkage and damage. Instead, gently squeeze out excess water without wringing, then reshape the cups and band.

Lay the bra flat on a towel or hang it by the center gore (the bridge between cups) to dry. Avoid hanging by the straps, which can stretch them out. Let it air dry completely before wearing or storing.

• Reshape cups and band while damp.
• Lay flat or hang by the center gore.
• Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.

Storing: Keep the Cup Shape

How you store bras affects their shape over time. For padded or molded bras, stack them flat with cups nested to avoid crushing. For soft-cup bras like the CROP TANK or JIMMY TEE, you can fold them gently, but avoid folding the cups in half.

If you have drawer space, consider using dividers or small boxes to keep bras upright. This prevents them from being squished under other clothes. Rotate your bras so you're not wearing the same one every day—this gives elastic time to recover.

• Nest cups for molded bras.
• Use drawer dividers to keep bras upright.
• Rotate bras to extend elastic life.

Step-by-Step Bra Care Routine

1. Wash in cold water: Hand wash or use a lingerie bag on delicate cycle with mild detergent. Fasten hooks to prevent snags. Checkpoint: Never use hot water or harsh detergents.
2. Reshape while damp: After washing, gently squeeze out water, then reshape the cups and band to their original form. Checkpoint: Avoid wringing or twisting the fabric.
3. Dry flat or hang by center gore: Lay the bra flat on a towel or hang it by the bridge between cups. Keep away from direct heat and sunlight. Checkpoint: Never use a dryer or hang by straps.
4. Store carefully: Nest cups for molded bras, use dividers to keep bras upright, and avoid folding cups in half. Checkpoint: Rotate your bras to let elastic recover.

Products That Care

• ZELDA BANDEAU, wallflower: Classic bandeau shape with a dance inspired pinch-front detail. Use our bra size guide below when choosing which size to order. If between sizes, size down. 92% organic cotton, 8% spandex. Signature bound-edge construction. Best fits US cup sizes A through F. We like our clothes washed cold, line-dried, and a little bit rumpled around here. The spandex content means gentle washing and line drying are crucial to keep the bandeau's shape and stretch.
• WIDE-STRAP BRA, wallflower: We call it the Wide-Strap “Bra”; you can call it your new best friend :-) Signature bound edges. Pullover design. Best fits US cup sizes A through D. 92% organic cotton, 8% spandex. Many people size up from their usual size in this style. Use our bra size guide below when choosing which size to order. This pullover bra relies on elastic recovery; proper care prevents the straps and band from stretching out prematurely.

Taking a few extra minutes to care for your bras can make a big difference in how they look and feel. By following these simple steps, you'll keep your favorite styles—like the ZELDA BANDEAU or WIDE-STRAP BRA—in great shape for many wears to come.