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AIBU?

to wash bra only once a week?

112 replies

CHJR · 26/06/2013 09:43

I don?t think I?m a dirty sow but maybe I am. My mother died before I started wearing bras and well before and after that we spent a lot of time moving around, often unable to wash clothes or even shop for them (refugees), so sometimes I discover strange gaps in my, er, general knowledge. No one?s ever suggested I smell or anything but hand washing bras is such a bother, and the machine damages them, so I tend to do it only once a week, assuming I've not been especially sweaty. But of course I change pants daily, and vests ? is once a week too little for bras? What should I teach my DD?

And what about things like tights? Was a bit surprised recently to learn my SIL washes them after EVERY wearing, but even more surprised to realise she also doesn?t wear pants under them. She?s American though, maybe they?re just different? Or she personally is?

OP posts:
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MrsRajeshKoothrappali · 26/06/2013 09:51

I wash mine after every wear, but a) my ribcage/under boobs is where I sweat and b) have ishoos and can't go out in non-matching underwear.

Hmm

Do whatever is comfortable for you, screw what other people think.

I machine wash mine on a 30 wash - they're always fine.

:)

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HorryIsUpduffed · 26/06/2013 09:53

I put bras in the washing machine and Shock tumble dryer with no observable problems.

I wear bras generally more than once but definitely not for a week before washing. Maybe I get sweatier underboobs than you? I do a "big wash" twice a week and there will be at least one bra there. Nursing bras are a special case, particularly in the very early days when I'm very leaky

Tights require underwear underneath because I require a cotton gusset. Both underwear and tights are washed after one wear - the feet of tights get as grubby/sweaty as socks whatever you think about the leg part or crotch part.

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TickleMyTitsTillFriday · 26/06/2013 09:59

I only have one bra that fits me and one spare that almost does. I wash once a week or maybe less often than that. And I don't give a shit! I smell amazing I do.

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TickleMyTitsTillFriday · 26/06/2013 10:00

I also wear pants to bed!

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Eyesunderarock · 26/06/2013 10:01

If you are worried about things getting damaged, then put them in a laundry bag inside the machine, it's a bag with little holes in that you can buy from a supermarket. It's how I was tights.
Most bras can cope with a machine on 30 degrees.
Change bras at least every two days, tights every day, like pants.

It's one of the reasons being anonymous on MN is so useful, you can ask any question and know that no-one will recognise you in RL.

MrsR 'Do whatever is comfortable for you, screw what other people think.'

That works well as an individual, but the OP has a daughter, and children can be vicious to others they think are different. So whatever her personal decisions, it's always good to know what the social norm is before deciding to go against it.

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SpooMoo · 26/06/2013 10:04

I wash mine once a week or even once a fortnight. They don't smell! And I like to do them on a low temp gentle wash.

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Shutupanddrive · 26/06/2013 10:06

I put all of my bras in the washing machine at 40degrees and they are fine. I don't tumble dry them though, they dry quickly enough hung over radiator (even if not on)

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mrsshackleton · 26/06/2013 10:08

I probably only wash mine around once a month Blush, however I do swap three or four around.

Knickers, socks, tights after every wear though.

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bigkidsdidit · 26/06/2013 10:08

I wear mine twice or three times, but I have small boobs so no sweating underneath.

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Eyesunderarock · 26/06/2013 10:10

Perhaps it depends on what you do in a day, as well as your personal hygiene and general physiology?

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Dragonwoman · 26/06/2013 10:13

I wouldn't wash mine more than once a week, but I don't sweat very much unless exercising. I would wash a sports bra or a nursing bra after each wear, but these tend to be non wire, so will go in the machine.

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Wolfiefan · 26/06/2013 10:15

I wash after each wear.

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NinaHeart · 26/06/2013 10:16

I wear bras for an average of three days, knickers and tights are definitely clean every day.

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sweetestcup · 26/06/2013 10:21

Im the same as mrsshackleton, alternate a few then wash whenever they need it. Cant say they have ever smelled, couldn't bare having to wash after every wear as for me this is overkill.

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Hasitfallendownagain · 26/06/2013 10:23

I would wear a bra probably 1-3 times before washing it. If I'm washing the top I wore, then I always wash the bra too. So usually after just 1 wear in summer, perhaps more in cold weather. I just wash them in the machine at 40 degrees with the rest of the washing.

Tights I would wash after every wear.

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RubberBullets · 26/06/2013 10:28

I currently have only 1 bra that fits properly having only recently worked out what size I am. I do wear my old bras to bed though so it isn't being worn 24/7.

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Ilovesunflowers · 26/06/2013 10:28

I wash bras once or twice a week. I would wash tights after every wearing.

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onepieceoflollipop · 26/06/2013 10:29

CHJR, you have had some good advice re the bras. fwiw I wear mine 2 days,then wash in a laundry bag on a delicate cycle.

I Understood entirely what you said re gaps in your knowledge. I was brought up without a mother and have two dds now, I am still learning/finding out a lot so you are not the only one. :)

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TickleMyTitsTillFriday · 26/06/2013 10:34

Oh and mine goes in the washing machine on delicate cycle. You can then take out the bra and give the rest an extra spin cycle.

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happyyonisleepyyoni · 26/06/2013 10:41

I wash my bras less than once a week probably, they don't get sweaty or smell and don't get stains on them.

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Ifancyashandy · 26/06/2013 10:42

I wash bras after every wear. They are the item of clothing that sits closest to your skin - and to one the major sites of the sweat glands. You'd wash a top after each wear, so why not a bra? I have some I hand wash as they are very delicate or were expensive, some I wash in the machine on 30 and using a laundry bag.

Tights get worn (only in the winter - cant abide in the summer) once before washing also. And always with knickers.

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chickabilla · 26/06/2013 10:48

I was mine every 3 days ish, in the washing machine and on the line/airer. Every day if hot and sweaty. Pants, socks, vest, tights every day.

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Curioustiger · 26/06/2013 11:00

Ooh I have never really thought about this. I wash tights after every wear, otherwise they would be an environmental hazard. My feet are awful! Always wear pants under tights, surely you chafe otherwise!

Bras - I have loads, I love them, but hardly ever wash them. Possibly once a month. Possibly less! They seem fine to me. They definitely don't smell. Might up the frequency now I have read the thread.

Your background sounds very different OP - rather a lot for a child to deal with - would you say it's made you resourceful?

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Madamecastafiore · 26/06/2013 11:02

I put all of mine in the wash - not tumble dryer though.

I do think you need to change it more than once a week. Does it smell a little or get that grubby grey colour?

Bloody DD comes in from school and changes her bra when she changes out of her school uniform. Shame she doesn't brush her hair or her teeth but least her under boobs are super clean!

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LieweHeksie · 26/06/2013 11:06

IME if you have a 'sweaty bra' then you are wearing a badly fitted bra and need to get to the bra intervention thread :)

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