How to Wash a Padded Bra Without Losing Its Shape
By Timpa Lingerie I Intimate Apparel I Bra, brief, thong | Published: 2026-10-19
Category: Tips & Care
Learn the correct way to hand wash and dry your padded bra so the foam stays smooth, the lace stays intact, and the fit lasts longer.
Quick answer
Hand wash your padded bra in cool water with a gentle lingerie detergent, then air dry it flat on a towel. Never wring, twist, or machine dry the padding.
Why padded bras need special care
Foam padding holds its shape because of the air pockets inside the foam. Machine washing or rough handling can crush those air pockets, leaving you with lumpy or flattened padding that no longer lifts smoothly.
Lace overlay, like the crochet lace on the Alice Padded Bra, is also fragile. Aggressive washing can snag threads or cause the lace to lose its delicate pattern.
How to wash your padded bra step by step
- 1. Fill a basin with cool water and add lingerie detergent: Use lukewarm or cool water—hot water can break down foam glue. Add a capful of gentle detergent and swirl to mix. Never use fabric softener or bleach; they coat the foam and reduce breathability.
- 2. Submerge the bra and gently swish: Press the bra into the water and move it around gently with your hands. Focus on the cups and underband where oils and sweat collect. Do not rub the padding against itself or scrub with a brush—that can create permanent creases.
- 3. Rinse in fresh cool water until soap is gone: Drain the soapy water and refill with clean cool water. Swish the bra again, then repeat until no suds remain. Leftover detergent residue can make the foam feel sticky and attract dirt faster.
- 4. Remove excess water without wringing: Lift the bra out of the water and gently press the cups between your palms to squeeze out water. Then roll the bra in a dry towel and press again. Wringing twists the foam and can separate the padding from the fabric layer.
- 5. Air dry flat on a towel away from heat: Lay the bra flat on a dry towel, reshape the cups with your fingers, and let it dry at room temperature. Flip after a few hours. Never hang a padded bra by the straps—the weight of the wet padding stretches the elastic and distorts the cup shape.
Product notes
- Alice Padded Bra - Sale: The Alice Padded Bra is designed specifically for smaller busts (A-C cups) with light foam padding and a delicate crochet lace overlay. The light foam can shift if washed roughly, so following the gentle steps below keeps the padding even and the lace intact.
Alice Padded Bra - Sale
