Why Do Bra Underwires Break?

Why Do Bra Underwires Break?

Though rare, underwires in bras can occasionally break. Here are the most common reasons.

1. Washing Your Bras Without a Laundry Bag

A laundry bag prevents your underwires from getting caught in the agitator, stuck in one of the holes inside the washer’s drum, or becoming twisted up in other clothing.

When any of this happens, an underwire receives stress.

It’s stretched and thus compromised and will eventually break.

2. Putting Your Underwire Bra in a Hot Dryer

The heat from a dryer can affect the chemical make-up of the metal used in your underwire and cause it to become more brittle and prone to breaking.

And, like a washing machine, a dryer too has holes in its barrel that can catch an underwire.

But, for many reasons, lingerie should never be put in a dryer.

They should only be hung to dry.

3. Your Cup Size Is Too Small

An underwire’s sweep or smile is designed for a certain breast volume.

When your breast volume is greater than the cup size of a bra, this puts added stress on the underwires to splay further than planned.

And, over time, this added stress will cause an underwire to break in the center.

4. Your Band Size Is Too Small

Underwires are designed to splay a little when a bra is worn.

However, if your bra band is too tight, this splays your underwires further apart than they were designed.

This stress eventually causes an underwire to break.

How to Prevent Bra Underwires From Breaking

Washing your bras properly, making sure you’re wearing the correct bra size, and buying quality bras will reduce (if not eliminate) any chance of your underwire breaking again.