While you may be diligent in keeping your clothes clean and maintaining meticulous hygiene protocols, there may be one thing that you overlook: your bra. Surprisingly, because your bra rests directly against your skin, it should be washed more frequently than you might realize.
According to Mary Begovic Johnson, a senior scientific communications manager at Procter and Gamble, a woman should not wear her bra for more than three to five days without washing. It’s essential to wash your brassiere by hand or on the delicate cycle to avoid wear and tear, as bras thrown into your everyday wash can lose their form and integrity.
6 Gross Things That Happen When You Don’t Wash Your Bra
If you are one of those people who do not wash your bra for several weeks, you will definitely want to pay attention to what happens when you continue to wear your bra beyond a week or so:
1. Gross stuff grows on your bra
Many things begin to grow on a dirty bra, including bacteria, dirt, lotion, oil, microorganisms, fungi, and yeast, to name a few. With each passing day, these nasties continue to accumulate. According to Joshua Zeichner, a New York dermatologist, this gross stuff may cause a problem if their growth is left unsupervised.2. A rash or infection might develop
Not washing your bra often enough could lead to a rash or infection. WebMD lists clothing in their “Dirty Dozen” of the most common skin irritations. Clothes can become irritating for several reasons, including improper fit or infrequent washing. As bacteria and yeast grow on your dirty bra, they find a nice nesting place under your breasts where they multiply further. This can create the perfect environment for a rash or even infection. Skin can quickly become red, raw, and itchy.
3. Your nipples can become chafed
Chafed nipples are clearly a woman’s worst enemy. It is a painful and highly annoying condition that is difficult to tolerate. The number one cause of chafed nipples is a dirty bra. According to Dr. Robin Travers, a Boston dermatologist, dry skin mixed with a sweaty bra makes for the perfect storm when it comes to chafed nipples. When moisture gets trapped between a dirty bra and your skin, it is a five-alarm fire for your nipples.
4. You might get an acne breakout
Who wants acne on or under their breasts? That is precisely what can happen when you fail to wash your bra frequently enough, especially if you are exercising in a sports bra. Dirty and sweaty undergarments are the most common trigger for body acne. Obviously, you can avoid this ugly mess if you just keep your bra clean. Bras fit very close to your skin, and as bacteria build up between your breasts and the bra, it can cause friction. Acne outbreaks are common in areas where rubbing and excess heat combine. You can easily develop “backne” as well as pimples along your rib cage and under your breasts if you let your bra get too dirty.
When your bra starts to smell, it can rub off on your clothes. Bacteria, fungus, and yeast mingled together do not create a sweet aroma, that is for sure. Once your bra starts to stink, it is only a matter of time before your clothes start to stink too, and your friends are turning their heads because you smell like a gym locker room. This won’t do positive things for your professional or personal life.6. You might stain your bra
Although deodorant is a good thing, it can also leave an ugly brownish-yellow stain on your brassiere if it sits too long on the fabric. Sweat discolorations are also hard to get out if they sit too long. Just one more reason to wash your bra frequently. If you do have a tough sweat or deodorant stain, try mixing a little baking soda in water and rubbing it on your bra first before tossing it in the wash.
How often should I wash my bra?
Washing your bra every three to five uses is a good rule of thumb to follow. However, if you lead an active lifestyle and sweat excessively, you may need to be more diligent and consider washing your bra on a daily basis. To ensure your bra’s longevity, make sure to adhere to the washing instructions provided.
As mentioned earlier, it is best to hand wash or use the delicate cycle with non-toxic laundry detergent when cleaning your bras. By doing so, you can maintain their shape and quality effectively.
Of course, if you want to avoid all this hassle, you could opt to go without a bra, but that’s a different story altogether!
