How to Wash and Care for Sports Bras to Make Them Last
By Women's Activewear and Workout Clothes | Published: 2026-10-18
Category: Tips & Care
Learn the right way to wash and care for your sports bras so they keep their support, shape, and fabric quality through many workouts.
Quick answer
To make your sports bras last, hand wash them in cold water with a gentle detergent and lay them flat to dry. Avoid fabric softener, bleach, and the dryer — heat and harsh chemicals break down elastic fibers and moisture-wicking fabrics like Nothing 2 See Here™.
Why sports bra care matters for longevity
Sports bras are engineered with specialized fabrics and elastic bands that provide support during movement. Repeated exposure to heat, chlorine, and aggressive detergents can cause the elastic to relax and the fabric to pill or lose its moisture-wicking properties. Proper care preserves the fit and function, so you get more wears out of each bra.
The Nothing 2 See Here™ fabric used in bras like the All Day Support Sports Bra and the Possibility Sports Bra is designed to be moisture-wicking, breathable, and fade-resistant — but only if you treat it gently. A little extra attention during laundry can add months to your bra's life.
When to replace a sports bra
Even with the best care, sports bras eventually lose their elasticity. Signs it's time for a new one include a band that rides up, straps that dig in or slip off, fabric that no longer snaps back, or a noticeable loss of support during high-impact movement. For high-support needs, the Pace It Sports Bra offers maximum support with a wide compressive underbust band and adjustable straps for a custom fit.
How to wash and care for your sports bra: step by step
- Rinse immediately after wearing: Rinse your sports bra in cool water as soon as you take it off to remove sweat and body oils before they set into the fabric. This is especially important for moisture-wicking fabrics like Nothing 2 See Here™. Common mistake: letting the bra sit in a gym bag for hours. Rinsing now prevents odors and stains.
- Hand wash with a gentle detergent: Fill a basin with cold water and add a small amount of mild detergent (free of bleach and fabric softener). Submerge the bra and gently squeeze the fabric — never twist or wring. Let it soak for 10–15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cold water. Common mistake: using hot water or regular laundry detergent. Hot water weakens elastic, and harsh detergents strip the fabric's moisture-wicking finish.
- Dry flat away from heat and sunlight: Lay the bra flat on a clean towel, reshape it gently, and let it air dry at room temperature. Avoid hanging it by the straps, which can stretch them out. Never put a sports bra in the dryer or on a radiator. Common mistake: tossing it in the dryer. The heat breaks down elastic fibers, causing the band to lose support and the fabric to shrink or warp.
- Rotate between at least two bras: Alternate your sports bras so each one has at least 24 hours to fully air out and return to its original shape before the next wear. This reduces moisture buildup and extends the life of the elastic. Checkpoint: if you work out daily, owning two or three bras helps each one last longer than wearing the same one every day.
- Store flat or folded, not hung: Store sports bras flat in a drawer or folded with the cups nested. Avoid hanging them by the straps, which can stretch over time. For bras with removable padding, remove the pads before washing and store them separately to prevent bunching. Common mistake: hanging bras on a hook. The weight of the fabric pulls the straps and band out of shape.
Sports bras that benefit from proper care
- All Day Support Sports Bra: The All Day Support Sports Bra is made from Nothing 2 See Here™ fabric that is moisture-wicking, breathable, 4-way stretch, lightweight, soft, and shrink & fade resistant. These performance features are only preserved when you wash in cold water and skip the dryer — heat and agitation can degrade the stretch and fade resistance over time.
- Possibility Sports Bra: The Possibility Sports Bra features high support levels, a clasp back, and Nothing 2 See Here™ fabric. The clasp back hardware can snag other garments in the wash, so using a mesh laundry bag or hand washing protects both the bra and your other activewear.
- Pace It Sports Bra: The Pace It Sports Bra is made from sweat-wicking recycled Nothing 2 See Here™ fabric, with a wide compressive underbust band, clasp back adjustability, hidden bounce resistant lining, and adjustable shoulder straps. The multiple adjustable parts and hidden lining require gentle handling to keep the hooks, straps, and lining working correctly — machine washing can twist or damage these elements.
