New-Style Bras Trigger Washroom Havoc

Updated 9:55 AM ET February 2, 2001

LONDON (Reuters) - New-style underwire bras are sending washing-machine repair workers crazy. Bra wires have become the biggest cause of blockages or damage to washing machines in Britain, electrical repairs group Curry's Coverplan said Thursday.

"With underwired bras now accounting for over half the bra sales in Britain, it's a growing hazard for washing machines," said Sue Loder, of bra experts Triumph International.

Triumph reckons 75 percent of British women wash their bras in the machine -- more than any other Europeans.

The deceptively simply if deeply unglamorous answer -- wash your underwired bras in a pillowcase, experts say.

-- Uncle Bob (unclb0b@aol.com), February 03, 2001

Answers

I guess women don't wash bras by hand anymore? My sister was always clogging up the bathroom sink with hers. She'd soak them in Woolite and hang them on the shower rod to dry. A real pain when I needed to take a shower.

-- kb (kb8um8@yahoo.com), February 03, 2001.

""With underwired bras now accounting for over half the bra sales in Britain, it's a growing hazard for washing machines," said Sue Loder, of bra experts Triumph International."

It may be a growing hazard for the women, too. There is thinking in medical circles that one of the factors involved in the increase of breast cancer in the civilized world may be due to restriction of lymphatic flow in breast tissue, reducing the body's ability to scavenge cancer cells before they multiply.

Any tight bra is a problem, but the underwire types were cited as on of the more frequent offenders.

-- Boob Lover (Love@ya.ladies), February 04, 2001.

Unless a woman is exercising or has lost a breast, why does she even need a bra?

-- (Dis@enfranch.ised), February 04, 2001.

I hope the wire in that HUGE bra laying across a city block somewhere in Calif. doesn't fall out. Many people could be hurt. :o)

-- Debra (Thisis@it.com), February 04, 2001.

For safty reasons I volunteer to do free bra inspections through the end of the month...

-- Uncle Bob (unclb0b@aol.com), February 04, 2001.

"Unless a woman is exercising or has lost a breast, why does she even need a bra?"

Spoken like a man with no clue. Having babies, breasfeeding etc., all take a toll on the muscles, as does age.

-- (the@plain.truth), February 04, 2001.

TPT thats a serious question, women come in different sizes and shapes. Unless they spend the dough-ray-me on a custom designed bra or happen to have breasts that fit the commerical forms and it seems like most don't, theyre letting themselves in for a world of hurt when they wear those things for hours at a time. That's like me being forced to wear tight underwear all the time. It's not good. Out side of the US women, older women, go braless alot more. Do they have as much breast cancer? Do you know?

-- (Dis@enfranch.ised), February 04, 2001.

That's like me being forced to wear tight underwear all the time. It's not good. Out side of the US women, older women, go braless alot more.

I think that as long as our new President is deciding what we women can and can't do with our bodies he should make it law that NO WOMAN IS ALLOWED to wear a bra to the office.

Isn't it pretty much common knowledge that the VERY FIRST thing a woman does when she gets home is whip off her bra?

-- Debra (Thisis@it.com), February 04, 2001.

This reminds me of a time in my youth.

As I was undoing a front clasp bra with my teeth,the wire from her worn out bra shot out from the inner end and almost blinded me,put a helluva scratch,drawing blood,from my cheeckbone to my chin.

But she did kiss it and make it better,at least for the rest of the night : )

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), February 04, 2001.

Deb,

And all this time I thought they were just happy to see moi; )

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), February 04, 2001.

I do not know where the author has been, but underwire bras have been around for at least 50 years (new style?-don't think so). They are usually made for the larger breast, which requires more support to fend off that old demon, gravity. Some of us couldn't be comfortable without them.

-- Aunt Bee (Aunt__Bee@hotmail.com), February 05, 2001.

They are usually made for the larger breast, which requires more support to fend off that old demon, gravity. Some of us couldn't be comfortable without them.

Oh Aunt B (hangs head in shame) I dont have that problem.

-- sumer (shh@aol.con), February 05, 2001.

Hey Cap, I'm rather good at the one-handed disconnect, but your teeth-technique sure has me beat!

-- Lover (Luv@ya.ladies), February 05, 2001.

sumer

Let me be the judge of that....

-- Uncle Bob (unclb0b@aol.com), February 05, 2001.