Caring for teen bras ensures that they’ll provide your daughter with the support and comfort she needs. It also stops her from experiencing problems like chafing, riding, and discomfort from damaged bras.
There are a few things you and your daughter can do to slow teen bra wear and tear, including getting her the right size, knowing how to put it on, and applying proper cleaning and storage practices.
Practical Suggestions for Teen Bra Care
Here’s a quick teen bra care guide:
Wear the Right Size
Making sure your daughter wears a bra of the right size guarantees that it’ll do its job without causing her any discomfort. It’s also a good way to prolong its lifespan.
An incorrectly sized bra will put stress on certain parts of the garment, decreasing its ability to support your young girl’s breasts. A bra that’s too tight will cause the elastic to stretch, while a bra that’s too loose will pull on the straps.
Know How to Put It On
An often overlooked tip for avoiding damage to teen bras is knowing how to put it on. Many young ladies are taught to wear them by hooking the clasps from the front and then twirling them 180 degrees around their body before slipping on the straps. While this method is convenient, it contributes to wear and tear because it puts the bra through the stress of unnecessary stretching.
Here are some tips you can share with your daughter about the best ways to wear a bra:
- With the bra unclasped, put your arms through the straps.
- Lean slightly forward to allow your breasts to position naturally into the cups.
- Clasp the bra from the back on a comfortable hook setting, making sure the band lies flat against your chest.
- Adjust the straps so they sit comfortably on your shoulders.
Use a Rotation Schedule
Girls should own at least three or four bras. This allows the undergarments to rest between uses, allowing them to stay elastic and retain their shape. If your daughter has a favorite bra, advise her to change it at least every other day as a general rule of thumb to lessen wear and tear.
Wash and Dry Bras Properly
The importance of bra hygiene shouldn’t be understated. Besides supporting your daughter’s skin health, it also extends the longevity of the bra.
Generally speaking, handwashing is the recommended cleaning method for delicates like teen bras. That said, you can also machine wash them, but make sure to put them in a mesh bag and run the wash on a gentle cycle.
Be careful not to wash your daughter’s bras too often, too. Doing so wears out the fabric and elastic.
It’s okay not to wash teen bras each time your daughter wears them–unless, of course, they smell or she sweats more than usual when she has them on. Consider when, how long, and how many times she wore the bras before you clean them.
Skip the dryer! Throwing your teen’s bras into a dryer can damage the band’s elasticity and weaken the fabric over time. If you must use the dryer, place it on the lowest heat setting.
Always airdry when possible by hanging the bras on the center (instead of the cups or the straps) to prevent stretching. You can reduce the moisture in the material by patting the bras with a towel before airdrying.
Store Bras Flat
Store your daughter’s molded or padded bras flat and on top of each other, with the cups supporting the stack. This keeps them in shape and prevents creasing or folding. For non-padded bras, simply fold them in half on the seams and lay them flat in a drawer.
High-Quality Teen Bras from Yellowberry
Another good way to prevent excess teen bra wear and tear is to invest in high-quality garments, like the ones from Yellowberry. Check out our catalog of teen and tween bras today!