How To Get A White Bra White Again
Are you trying to get your white bra white again? We’ve all got a favourite bra that needs a little TLC. Classic white bras can lose their whiteness over time, particularly when they come into contact with body oils, sweat, and lotions on a regular basis. They can also become discoloured as the dye from other clothes can transfer onto them. This can leave your white bras looking a little more muddy and grey, than bright and white.
White bras are perfect for wearing under sheer or pale clothing and can help you avoid unsightly lines under your tops and dresses. With this in mind, it’s essential to keep your white bras looking fresh and new for as long as possible.
When it comes to washing your bras, the ideal method is by hand every 3-4 wears. Here at Belle Lingerie, we recommend always hand washing your bras to give them the longest and happiest life. But, let’s face it, not everyone has time for that! You can wash most bras in the washing machine too, but make sure to check the label first. You should also check out our latest blog, Can I put my bra in the washing machine?
There are many popular methods to keep your white bras white. Here at Belle Lingerie, we’ve listed the most tried and tested techniques to help make your white bras white again.
The Cold Water Method
Cold water is recommended when you hand wash your bra as this avoids any damage. It’s essential to make sure that the water is cold, as hot water can cause your bras to shrink and can wear down the material.
Your bras are extremely delicate, so when washing them by hand, ensure you soak gently and thoroughly wash them with mild soap. Never use harsh soaps, chemicals or solvents such as fabric softener or bleach as this can cause damage to the fibres of your bras. Carefully rinse until the water runs clear and air dries your bras for the best result.
Top Tip - you can also add one tablespoon of baking soda to a cold water wash for your white bras. This can help to remove any yellow stains around the armpits, remove odours and increase the overall whiteness of your bras.
Whether you choose to hand wash or machine wash, the cold water method will get your white bras sparkling again.
The Soak Method
Soaking your white bras before you wash them allows the lemon juice, distilled vinegar or baking soda to really loosen and dissolve those grungy bra stains, making them easier to remove in the wash. A good soak allows the product to fully saturate your bras and get to work.
If you’re using white vinegar or baking soda, it’s essential to soak your bras afterwards too. This will remove any remnants or odours of these household products, so your bras come out bright, white and smelling fresh.
For lingerie and swimwear, finding a wash that gently cleans your bras can be tricky. Soak Wash is a great solution. With this product, all you need to do is fill a sink, bathtub or basin with cool water and add a few drops (see instructions on the bottle for details). After soaking your bras, you just have to squeeze them gently to remove the moisture and lay them flat to dry. It couldn’t be simpler. Available in a range of fragrances, Soak will not only help to make your white bras white again, but they’ll also smell wonderful too!
The Lemon Juice Method
Lemons are a household ingredient that can be used for more than adding flavour to your food and drinks. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which can naturally break down stains, making it the perfect ingredient to use when you want to whiten and add a little zest back into your wardrobe.
Lemon juice can be used in your washing machine and it's perfect for soaking in cold water overnight to achieve the best result for your bras.
Top Tip - Remove stains on your bras with baking soda and lemon juice. Cover the stain with one tablespoon of baking soda and rub lemon juice over the baking soda. Work the juice into the fabric and let the treatment sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water and wash normally.
This powerful stain remover will brighten your white bras and unlike bleach, it’s gentle on delicate fabric and colour-safe when diluted. This lemon juice method will help turn your white bras back to their former glory.
The White Vinegar Method
White vinegar is a well-known household product that will help a discoloured white bra look as good as new. The mild acid within the vinegar acts as a deodoriser and whitener for greying clothes. Its acidic nature helps to neutralise the alkaline stains, and with its antibacterial and anti-limescale properties, you’ll keep your white bra white.
White bras can lose their sparkle after many washes and it can be tricky to keep them looking ‘clean’. Often, people turn to bleach when their whites turn dreary, but bleach is a harsh substance that can irritate the eyes, lungs and skin. If you use bleach on your white bras it can turn them slightly yellow and wear down the delicate fabric on the bra straps and cups. So instead of using bleach, try a cup full of distilled white vinegar in a cold water wash to brighten your whites.
If you want your white bras to go from drab to fab, be sure to try out these methods mentioned above!
For more tips and tricks, why not check out our guide on how to wash your bra?