How to Clean an Adhesive Bra

Co-authored by Carla Nelson

Last Updated: September 10, 2024 Fact Checked

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Adhesive bras require regular washing to keep them working properly. This is because oil and dirt interfere with the adhesive sticking to your skin. You can easily wash an adhesive bra using a bit of hand soap and warm water. Then, make sure to follow some special care practices to keep your bra clean.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Handwashing Your Bra with Soap and Water

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1
Mix a few drops of hand soap or bra cleanser with warm soapy water. You can use plain hand soap to wash the bra because this will effectively remove the oils from the adhesive.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Carla Nelson
Personal Stylist

Expert Interview. 9 February 2022.} However, if you have a special cleanser for your bra, then you can use that to clean it instead.^{[2]
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- Check to see if the bra manufacturer makes a detergent for the bra. If so, you can use this to cleanse your bra after each use.
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Use your fingers to apply the soapy water to the adhesive. Dip your fingertips in the soapy water and then press them on the adhesive part of the bra. Move your fingertips around the adhesive part of the bra using small circular motions to clean the surface.^{[3]
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- If you notice any visible dirt trapped in the adhesive, use some extra soapy water here and apply a little more pressure with your fingertips to dislodge it.
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Dip the entire bra into the soapy water to clean the body. If you want to clean the whole body of the bra as well, you can dip the whole bra into the soapy water.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Carla Nelson
Personal Stylist

Expert Interview. 9 February 2022.} Immerse the bra fully and then swish the bra around in the water. Use your fingers to rub the fabric on the outside of the cups.
- Leave the bra to soak in the water for a few minutes if you are dealing with stubborn oil and dirt.
- You can also rub the adhesive part of the bra on the inside of the cups while the bra is in the water.
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Rinse the soapy water off of the bra using plain warm water. Next, press the cups of the bra so that the adhesive part is sticking out and hold them under warm, running water to rinse away the soapy water and any dirt you have loosened.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Carla Nelson
Personal Stylist

Expert Interview. 9 February 2022.} Rinse until the soap and dirt are all gone.^{[6]
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- This should only take a few seconds per cup.
- If you submerged the bra in soapy water, make sure to rinse the outer part of the bra thoroughly as well.
If the cups still look or feel dirty, you can wash them again. Wash the adhesive portions of the bra as many times as needed to get it clean. It is necessary to get rid of all the dirt and oil to make the bra sticky again.

Part 2

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Drying and Storing Your Bra

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Let the bra dry on a flat surface with the adhesive facing up. After you have cleaned the bra, place the bra on a flat surface with the adhesive bra cups facing upwards. Then, let the bra air dry overnight, or as long as it takes for it to dry completely.^{[7]
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- If you have the bra’s original packaging, you can place the bra on the package with the adhesive sides of the cups facing up.
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Hang the bra up to let it drip dry. You may also hang your bra from a towel rack or hook to dry it.^{[8]
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Research source} This is an especially good idea if you washed the entire body of the bra, and the bra may even dry faster this way.
- If you are in a hurry, try placing the bra in front of a fan to speed up the drying process.
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Store your bra in the original packaging. If you still have the case for your bra, put it back into the case to store it until you want to wear it again. This will help to keep the bra adhesive free of lint and dirt, which will ensure that it will stick to your skin properly the next time you put it on.^{[9]
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- Some adhesive bras also come with plastic that you can place over the adhesive to keep it lint free.
- If you don’t have a case for your bra, you can put it into a gallon size Ziploc bag until the next time you want to wear it. Just make sure it is dry first.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Extending the Life of an Adhesive Bra

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Wash your adhesive bra after every use. Regular washing is essential to prolong the life of your adhesive bra and keep it sticky. The adhesive does not work properly with dirt and body oil in it. Aim to wash your adhesive bra after each use to ensure that it will work well the next time you put it on.^{[10]
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- If you have not washed your adhesive bra in a while, you may need to wash it a few times to get it clean.
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Do not machine wash or dry the bra. Machine washing and drying an adhesive bra can ruin it, so do not try to put your adhesive bra in your washing machine or dryer. Hand wash your bra every time you need to wash it!
- You can place your bra in a sunny spot to dry, such as on an outside clothesline. Just make sure you don’t leave it out too long or the heat may affect the adhesive.
3
Use a special bra adhesive cleaner if possible. Some adhesive bra manufacturers make special bra adhesive cleansers for their bras. Check to see if the makers of your bra have a special cleanser you can use. This may help to prolong the life of your bra.
- If you cannot find a special bra cleanser, remember that hand soap works just fine!
4
Avoid rubbing a towel or sponge on the adhesive. Rubbing the adhesive surface with any sort of cloth or sponge may damage it. Do not use anything but your fingertips to wash the adhesive surface. This is the best way to clean the adhesive surface and prolong the life of your bra.
- For stubborn dirt and oil, let the bra soak for a few minutes, and then rub it vigorously with your fingertips.

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Question

What products can I use when washing my bra?

Carla Nelson
Personal Stylist
Carla Nelson is a Personal Stylist and the Founder of A Creative Cliché. With more than seven years of experience, she specializes in empowering entrepreneurs and executives through personal styling and shopping, image consulting, and wardrobe edits. She has worked with many brands, including Woman’s World Magazine and L.L. Bean. Carla holds a Bachelor’s degree from Simmons University.

Carla Nelson

Personal Stylist

Expert Answer

Only use water and a mild soap. Never apply any harsh cleaners or chemicals to the bra.

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Question

How do I make my adhesive bra sticky again?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Staff Answer

Most adhesive bras lose their stickiness when they pick up oil and other residues from your skin. After you wash your bra with soap and warm water, it should become sticky again!

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Question

Can you wear an adhesive bra in the water?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Staff Answer

There are waterproof options out there that are ideal for wearing under swimwear. Just check the label when you buy your adhesive bra to make sure it will hold up to swimming or bathing.

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