Extend the life of your compression sport bra with these essential laundry tips.
As much as you rely on your go-to sports bra to keep you dry and supported throughout just about any activity (kickboxing classes and couch-lounging sessions included), you may be sabotaging the lifespan of your most beloved compression sports top.
When it comes to caring for your compression sports top, there are a few ways you can help it stay looking and feeling great for a very long time.
This may sound obvious, but the first thing you can do to take care of your compression sports top and help it last as long as possible is to take it off as soon as you're done working out or sweating in it. Sweat and bacteria can break down the fabric of the top, stretching the compressing materials and band out. Over time, this will affect its ability to support and compression you properly.
When it comes to washing your compression top, hand washing is the best and most eco-friendly way to extend the life of your sports bra. Try to avoid using regular detergent and opt for gentle hand soap, laundry soap or shampoo. Finish by rinsing with cold water. Another way to ensure your compression sports top last well beyond the duration of your gym membership is to wash them in a mesh lingerie bag. Instead of tossing your compression sports top in the wash alongside your everyday t-shirts, leggings and jeans, put your compression sports top in with your delicates in a separate bag on a washing machine's gentle cycle.
One of the easiest ways to keep your compression sports top in tip top shape is by skipping the dryer all together. The heat of the clothing dryer is too hot for the synthetic and stretchable threads these tops are made of. Over time, the heat weaken them and your top begins to lose elasticity and the compressing materials lose their strength. The safest way to dry your compression top is by laying it out flat over a drying rack where it can get the ventilation it needs to dry completely and it doesn't lose it's shape. All our compression sports bras are made with materials that are quick-dry, so lay it flat or drape it over a drying rack; it shouldn’t take long.
If you prefer to put your compression top in the dryer, we highly suggest you do not use fabric softener. Regular fabric softeners were not made for today's workout clothes, much less compression tops that are made up of several different stretchable fabrics. The reason for this is because most activewear are is made with synthetic threading and materials, which are not well-suited to harsh softeners. Fabric softener also damages the wicking capabilities of your compression sports top over time.
One thing we do recommend is you have more than one compression sports bra to reduce wear-and-tear and damage from frequent washing. Specially if you're wearing a compression sports top everyday. Over time, it's normal for a compression sports top to become less effective in its compression ability. This just comes with general wear and tear. Having a few compression tops on rotation means you're stretching the elastic and fabric out less often, washing it less often and preserving the shape for even longer. It's always good to have a different compression options to choose from depending on your activity too!
Over time, your compression sports top may stretch out and provide less compression. Like other performance-wear, your compression sports top does have a shelf life. Here are some signs that you might need to replace your top:
- You notice the level of compression isn't the same, you feel your chest isn't being supported as well as it used to be. This is a sign your compression top isn't compressing you effectively anymore.
- If the shoulder straps or the band around your torso feels rough against your skin and start to chafe, this is a sign the material has degraded.
- If the compression top is stained or has an odor, even after washing.
Need to update your compression sports top collection? Check out what's new!
Leave a comment