How to make your bras last longer

The typical lifespan of a bra is often recommended as 6-9 months. At Royce we believe, with a little extra TLC, you can extend this to 12 months or more (although do ensure you get yourself measured every six months or so to ensure you’re still wearing the right size). Keeping your bra looking and feeling great for longer is not only good for you (and your wallet), but also good for the environment.

According to WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) around 300,000 tonnes of clothing were sent to landfill in 2016 in the UK. Among that colossal amount will be A LOT of worn out bras. By elongating the lifespan of your bra, you’re not only delaying its journey to landfill (although keep reading for details of better recycling options), but you’re also reducing your need for new bras, along with their associated packaging, and the energy involved in their production, storage and delivery. Showing your bra some love is a loving act for the planet!

Here’s how to keep your favourite bras in top condition…

How to wear your bra

– Firstly, ensure you’re wearing the correct sized bra and are not stretching the fabric in all the wrong places. Follow our ultimate fit guide and interrogate every bra in your underwear drawer. Buying the right bra in the first place helps reduce waste and saves you money.

– When wearing a new bra for the first time, fasten on the middle hook and eye that still ensures a good fit. The elastic will stretch over time so this allows you room to move up as the elastic stretches but will still give you the option to loosen on those days when you may need a little more room.

• – Keep a few bras on wear rotation before they hit the laundry basket. Avoid wearing them on consecutive days to allow the elastic and fabric time to rest and ‘breathe’ in between wears.

How to wash your bra

– We often feel we must wash clothing (particularly underwear) after every wear – not so! Fabric gradually deteriorates with every wash and dry so avoid over-washing. Unless it’s particularly sweaty and grimy you can wear a bra 2-4 times before washing.

– Handwash whenever possible – washing machines eat up energy and give your delicates a rough and tumble time. OK, we understand it can feel arduous, but a simple handwash need only last about 10mins. Fill a sink or large bowl with lukewarm water and a small dash of eco-friendly detergent; soak your bras for five minutes (longer if you can), then gently squeeze (avoid wringing to protect the elastic and any moulded cups) and rinse with cool, clean water.

– If you must use a washing machine now and again (we put our hands up), make sure you wash on a cool, delicate cycle (Royce bras are designed to be washed at 30 degrees). Fasten all hooks and pop in a mesh laundry bag to protect other clothes from getting snagged. Wash with a gentle laundry detergent that doesn’t contain bleach or chlorine – there are lots of great eco-friendly brands available nowadays.

How to dry your bra

• – Do. Not. Put. In. The. Dryer! Heat destroys fibres such as spandex, Lycra and elastic.
• – Air dry whenever possible – even a sports bra can survive an air dry after gentle exercise. Avoid hanging bras by their straps (even a small amount of moisture will act as a weight that pulls down on elasticated straps) and peg on a line or arrange on a clothes horse by the centre of the bra.
• – Reshape padded bras while still damp to help retain their shape.

How to store your bra

• – Avoid stuffing worn bras, particularly sweaty sports bras, into a dark drawer (or even worse, left crumpled up at the bottom of your gym bag) – this is a breeding ground for bacteria!
• – Dedicate adequate drawer space to your bras allowing room for all so they don’t end up squished, misshapen and damaged.
• – Fold moulded cup bras and stack against each other to help maintain the shape.
• – Keep drawers (and the rest of your wardrobe) smelling fresh and free from moths by using natural repellents such as mint leaves, cedarwood rings or cotton wool soaked in a few drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil.

..and when your bra really has given up the ghost

There will come a day when you really must say goodbye to your trusty bra. Overstretched straps, fraying trims and a baggy fastening mean the bra is no longer doing its job. Time to give it a new life beyond your underwear drawer.

• Against Breast Cancer recycling scheme – At Royce we’ve been working with the charity Against Breast Cancer for years. With their textile recovery partners, they ensure old bras are either donated to small businesses in Africa for upcycling, or disposed of properly. Drop your worn-out bras into any of their bra banks or send by post – more details here.
• Textile recycling – Look out for roadside textile banks (Recycle Now’s search facility will help you locate your nearest ones). Your old bra could end up as stuffing inside a bus seat!
• Reuse – Your bra can’t be a bra anymore, but could it be padding for a swimsuit or decoration on a birthday card? Consider cutting up and reusing its fabric components and get creative. Lace trims could become hair ties; pads could be shredded for cushion stuffing; or add the fabric bits and bobs to a children’s craft box ready for their next project. (Find more genius and bonkers ideas here 10 Ways To Repurpose Old Bras – Raw Botanicals).