Those Little Bra Hooks
 

When the bra gets washed, these things get bent. What could be doing this? Some are so bad on fairly new clothes that I am considering just sewing them. Should I un-hook them before washing?

keep them hooked. my dh did a laundry last week and it was unhooked, went into the dryer that way and one of the three hooks is bent now,, when I wash them, I don't put bras in the dryer, they shrink and ruin the hooks. sometimes, I can fix them with a plyer, but this time, this hook was mangled out of shap, thank goodness I have 2 more good hooks. good luck

I never have a problem with that, but I don't put them in the dryer. I would, as Lynnie said, keep them hooked.

I just bought some expensive ones and did not want to hand wash so sales clerk suggested a net bag.
I leave hooks closed and no dryer.
This works great.
Gale

I ALWAYS use a mesh bra bag. I got it at WalMart in the same
area where irons and such can be found. It is a round cylinder
type bag with a zipper on each end.

BEST investment i ever made for washing my bras.

PLUS like others have said NO dryer.

The little hooks get caught in the holes of the washer or dryer. They come unhung but the hooks are bent. Always hook them before washing. I don't dry my underwear in the dryer, I throw DH's in there though.

If you are letting them flop around in the washer the hooks are going to catch in other clothes and the like.
Likewise, underwires can get bent with the washing and spinning and twisted in with the other items.

For washing ... instead of a lingerie bag .... just fold your bra with the cups with the right sides together and inside facing outwards. Position , the hooks in the centre. I've been doing this for sometime and have not had any damage to the hooks or the adjustment loops, wires, etc.

I never have this problem, and I didn't even know to hook them before putting in the wash. However, I do use the mesh bra bags that Quilty-Louise mentioned. Got mine at Walmart too. :) They are round and have a zipper in each side. When using them, I do position the bra cups inside each other as QuiltE mentions. I use the same mesh bags for my daughter's panties (Victoria's Secret type). Also, I have a front load washer and make sure that the bras go into a small load of delicates. I can't imagine washing without mesh bags in a top loader with central agitator and a large load! I hang to dry, but occasionally miss one that goes through the dryer. Still no problems with bent hooks.

I put mine in a bag for delicates. not always hooked either. so far, so good.

........... Oh dear!!!! ... I went thru the explanation of how to fold it, and did not mention ..... wouldn't do any good to have it folded so, as it would soon come undone if not enclosed. So instead of the lingerie bag, put it into a nylon knee hi or panty-hose. Then tie a knot in the excess nylon to keep it there! Works just like the lingerie bag.

Keep them hooked. I hook mine because if they are unhooked and in the washer with other lingerie, the hooks can cause pulls on the other lingerie.

I do occasionally have a bent hook on a bra. Usually the load of clothes was on the floor waiting its' turn to go into the washer, and me or DH stepped on the laundry.

I throw mine in the mesh bag and use binder clips even though I hook 'em. Mine go into a low heat dryer with all the other whites. Pillow cases work well too. You can use the binder clips. My cousin uses socks. Stuffs a bra into big tube sock. One bra per sock. the elastic at the top of the sock keeps the bra in.

Wash by hand for best results on those dainty garments. They will last so much longer.

The hooks get caught on the holes in washer/ dryer and just twist around and around, not only bending and breaking hooks but wearing out the item, stretching them out of shape.

Take care of your pretties, treat them gently.
peace

EDIT: You can buy replacement hooks at any JAFs or other notions store. Easy to replace if needed.

I'm so terribly lazy! I don't hook, or use a mesh bag....and I dry....haven't had bent hook problems. Must be very lucky...have to pay closer attention!

WM carries a couple of Woolite mesh bags, a small and a large. These bags have only a single zipper. I have washed my bras in them for years. Before that I had the bent hooks and torn up bra problems. I hang my bras to dry. The larger bag is big enough to wash other delicate items in. I use them frequently for tee shirts.

The dryer was on the fritz - called out the repairman and when he was done he said that he fixed it, but cannot guarantee anything - the underwire came out of the bra, got stuck in the mechanism in the spinner and broke the dryer. I was very embarrassed, never dreamed I would lose an underwire. He said it was quite common. So, I don't buy bras with underwires anymore. They are wretchedly uncomfortable and my dryer is 41 years old. And I am 76! Which one of us is going to last the longest. I just throw my bras in the wash - I don't snap them or anything! They come out just fine. Edie

always use the lingerie bags...never dry bras. They are expensive! (Wacoal is my brand)
sandy

I have a little pair of pliers on my dresser that I use to squeeze any open hooks. It doesn't happen often but every once and a while. They are also handy for gripping clasps open and quick fix earrings. Beats being stored with the old jewelry making supplies.

Thank you Anniedeb. I was beginning to think I was the only one who wasn't a bra coddler. I've never had a problem either.

I pay a lot for my bras and wash them in a mesh bag on the gentle cycle and hang them to dry. I keep anything that goes in the gentle cycle or shouldnt go in the dryer in a separate hamper so my DH or me don't accidently put them in the dryer. I would cut hooks off of bras you are ready to throw away and save them to put on your good bras that get messed up.

I've never bothered to hook my bras when I throw them into the wash but I hang them up to dry on a hanger. Been told they will last longer this way and since I finally found some that have wide enough straps I don't want to have to replace them anytime soon. The store changed styles on me again so can't get anymore. DRAT!!!!

I wash my bras in a mesh bag which seems to protect them. I never dry them in the dryer. Line dry only. I have never had any problems with the hooks getting bent...

I do not put in dryer as the elastic gets stretched out of shape by the heat in the dryer. And I have a hard time getting them to fit good, have to mail order them.

I never have run my bras thru the dryer either.

Never dreamed I would get this many answers. It's going to feel funny taking home wet bras from the laundromat, but I will see what happens.

Sorry to give you the bad news, but bras should be considered hand-wash only. On the bright side, you won't be taking wet bras home from the laundromat.

LOL!!! I don't coddle either! My bras aren't cheap....and I have seriously never had a problem with hooks. (I also remove the underwire from any bra I buy...simply HATE wires!!)

I've used lingerie wash bags for years and have no problems, No more than 3 bras per bag.

I hook the hooks so they can't snag other laundry. My problem is the straps getting tangled with narrow things so I need to start using my lingerie bag. Hand wash - not me, because they just seem cleaner from the washer. Never into the dryer.

I only have three bras - one on, one in the wash and one just in case!!!! Edie

Why should they be hand washed........

I am not a bra coddled either.......and have not had any probs with hooks getting caught...I don't wear under wires....nor do I have any of the bras that lift and fill.....enough of my own to worry about.......when the hooks/eyes do come undone or bent...just means time to go bra shopping......love all the colors they come in now.....

I hook my bras before laundering. I also place them in a mesh laundry bag and wash them and underwear on a gentle setting, then hang them to dry. I find that bras and delicate panties last a long time that way.

I quit buying the underwires a long time ago. $15.00 max at walmart. takes forever for them to dry in our humidity. Throw in a bag, hooked and on low. I wash in cold on gentle. Dryer low heat for about 25 done.

I don't buy the padded as I also have enough. But I make sure there's enough so no one can see if the "lights" are on!!

I have the same mesh bag as Quilty Louise and it's terrific! Line dry always, the heat makes the elasticity stretch out of shape.

I don't use a lingerie bag but I do hook them and just wash with stuff that's not got any lacy or catchy bits. I need all the support I can get (small back/heavy front) so underwires are a must.....I don't like them at all (nothing worse than underwire breaking free and working it's way out).

I hook the sides together before they go in the wash. Then hang to dry. easy peasy

from above: I only have three bras - one on, one in the wash and one just in case!!!! Edie

Edie, this was my mothers mantra, which I heard the first day I got bras. Works for me, I still abide by it ;)

I'm going to start keeping mine hooked too!

Here's a tip on zippers-zip them up before washing and your zippers will never fail again!