Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Female to male transsexual talk (FTM) => Transsexual talk => FTM Gear => Topic started by: _Noah on November 02, 2010, 06:25:42 PM

Title: Washing a binder?
Post by: _Noah on November 02, 2010, 06:25:42 PM
So, I've recently got someone to order a binder for me [yay!] because my mom wouldn't and I didn't have my own paypal. But..I'm a complete 'noob' when it comes to binders, and binding. I've never bound my chest with anything other than sports bras.

But any tips for washing it would be lovely, I've heard handwashing it is better than machine washing.?
It's a tri-top from underworks if that helps, any.
Title: Re: Washing a binder?
Post by: Teknoir on November 03, 2010, 03:34:26 AM
I just chuck mine in the machine with the rest of my things. Usual cold wash, spin dry. Then I hang it inside to dry.

For a longer lasting binder, keep it out of the dryer. I'd also go as far as to say keep it out of very hot sun. Always hang by the bottom, never the shoulders (same goes for any shirt like item, really).

They're pretty sturdy. There isn't much you can do wrong. They're made to be owned and washed by men, after all - we aren't known to read care labels on things! ;)
Title: Re: Washing a binder?
Post by: Robert Scott on November 03, 2010, 10:46:34 AM
Interesting...I always hang mine by the shoulders...why hang them upside down?
Title: Re: Washing a binder?
Post by: Kilo on November 03, 2010, 07:28:23 PM
When I used to wear a binder, I was pretty sketched on machine washing it. I would hand wash it in the sink and then hang it to dry and give it a bit of a cologne bath to let the wonderful smell sink in haha. Worked out well for me.
Title: Re: Washing a binder?
Post by: Teknoir on November 04, 2010, 03:14:13 AM
Quote from: Rob on November 03, 2010, 10:46:34 AM
Interesting...I always hang mine by the shoulders...why hang them upside down?

So you don't get baggy shoulders or "peaks" from the pegs. If you get stretching or distortion, it's less noticeable on the bottom (and it won't knock the fit of the shirt out of whack).

Things do distort over time, wet clothes are heavy and "pull down" from the peg points.

I follow the same reasoning with binders - I'd rather have a binder stretch at the bottom hem, rather than stretch at the shoulders.

It's one of the very few "house" skills I picked up from my Mum :laugh:.
Title: Re: Washing a binder?
Post by: _Noah on November 04, 2010, 04:00:26 PM
Thanks you guys :) It actually came today! I dunno how I feel about it, yet, but it;s not as uncomfortable as I thought it would be..it is, however more noticable even with an overshirt..so I'm not sure if my mom will notice xD