How Often Should You Change Your Bra?

By: Heather Bien

Wondering if your bra-changing habits might need a little tweaking? If you have two bras in your rotation for the whole year or have been wearing the same everyday bra for four-and-a-half years, you might know that you should be changing your bras more often, but just aren’t sure how often you really need to change your bra. 

If so, you’ve come to the right place.

Here, we’ll answer all the everyday bra-changing questions you’ve wanted to ask, including “should you change your bra every day?”, “how long should you wear a bra between washes?”, and when you should replace your bras with new ones. 

Should You Change Your Bra Every Day?

The short answer — it depends. Unless you’re regularly breaking into a sweat, you don’t necessarily need to change your bra every day. A change twice a week (or at least once a week) is a good guideline to aim for. However, breaking into a sweat isn’t the only thing that should prompt you to change bras. 

While regular bra-changing isn’t a science, dermatologist Alok Vij recommends switching bras every 2 to 3 “wears,” with a “wear” being when the old bra begins to:

• Relax its shape
• Accumulate noticeable amounts of ickiness

On average, this works out to switching bras once every 3 to 4 days (unless you’ve been through an extremely active day, in which case, you should put a new bra on right away). 

Changing your bra helps your skin stay healthy by removing dead skin cells, oil, and sweat residue from your body, but this isn’t the only benefit. One of the main benefits of wearing a bra and changing it often is that it helps each bra maintain its fit and support. 

The longer you wear a bra, the stretchier it becomes, so it’s a good idea to rotate women’s bras regularly to ensure that the cups and straps retain their shape and elasticity. After all, you want to keep that flattering, well-fitted form as long as possible. 

How Often Should You Wash Your Bra?

We all have our favorite bras. Maybe it’s the color, the texture, or even a memory we have about wearing it. But if we’re not careful, we could end up wearing that special bra for too long, resulting in a relaxed shape and a less-than-pleasant smell. 

So, after your 2 or 3 wears, remember to also wash your bra, rather than simply swap it with another. You may even need to wash more often depending on certain factors, including:

• Where you live – Is your environment humid, or more dry and cool? Your immediate surroundings affect your bra’s longevity and should be a factor in deciding how long to wear a bra before washing it. 

• How much you sweat – We all have different lifestyles, with some leading to more sweaty moments than others. Being aware of how much and how often you sweat goes a long way to ensuring your bras (and by extension, your body) stay clean. Choosing breathable, moisture-wicking styles or lightweight bralettes can also help.

• Your schedule – Washing bras every day—by hand, no less—might not be realistic for your situation. Find a routine that works for you and ensures your undies remain as clean and fresh as possible. 

• What activities you do during the day – The condition of your bra depends on how and how much you move throughout the day. Take an account of your daily activities, and figure out how many “wears” a day would be for you. 

How Often Should You Replace Your Bras With New Ones?

Some of us might be holding onto bras we’ve been wearing for the past 3 years. If that’s your story, don’t worry — you’re not alone. It can be hard to let go of a favorite piece of lingerie you spent hours searching for and even longer lounging in. But all good things must come to an end, and bras — even the pretty ones — are no different. 

Here’s a good rule-of-thumb to remember: Most people should replace their bras every 6 to 12 months. 

That’s a broad range, but it’s because many factors come into play when determining the right time to replace your bras, such as how often you wear them and how many bras you own in rotation. Some people wonder, “how many bras should I own?” — and while there’s no single answer, having a few you can rotate will help each one last longer.

Keep an eye out for these warning signs that indicate a bra should be replaced:

• Cups are stretched out and no longer fit well
• Cups are too small
• Band is no longer snug and comfy
• Little threads of elastic can be seen poking out
• Straps are loose
• Underwire pokes or digs at you
• Fabric is frayed
• Color is faded or splotchy around the straps

In any of these cases, it’s time for a new bra.

Find Your New Favorite Bra at Boody

Changing and washing your bras every 2 to 3 wears can help ensure their longevity, as well as your skin’s health and your overall comfort. And when it comes time to replace the ones that no longer fit you, we can help.

At Boody, we’ve designed beautiful and sustainable bras with your comfort and needs in mind, using a sustainable bamboo-derived viscose blend that can withstand the stress of daily use while maintaining its shape and softness. Our eco-friendly, breathable, and stylish fabrics make wearing bras a breeze, so you don’t have to worry about annoying bra fit issues.

Invest in your comfort and your confidence by shopping Boody Eco Wear. 

About the Author: 

Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.

Sources: 

1. "How Often Do You Really Need to Wash Your Bras?" Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-often-do-you-really-need-to-wash-your-bras/
2. Vasantharoopan, Ajanthi. "How Often Should You Replace Your Bra?" Knicks. https://knix.com/blogs/resources/how-often-should-you-replace-your-bra
3.  Feiereisen, Sharon. "9 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Bra ASAP." Real Simple. Updated 27 June, 2019. https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/shoes-accessories/lingerie-hosiery/when-to-buy-new-bra