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Binder care 101 from KYLE HIMSELF!!!!
(Ooh ahh woww marry me kyle) the crowd screams
I. How to handle
⇨ Binders can get stretched out, resulting in the binder compressing your chest less. Try your hardest not to pull it too hard or stretch it!
⇨ Please wear the correct binder size! Getting a smaller binder and hoping it will achieve a flatter chest is understandable, but you don’t want to be squeezing your ribs. The elastic band of the binder (right under your chest) gets squeezed along with the tissue you are trying to flatten, and this causes a lot of pain, speaking from experience. It can also damage your ribs and make breathing difficult.
⇨ Don’t swim/bathe/exercise in a binder, it can both damage your ribs and it stretches the fabric. There are binders that are made specifically for swimming and exercising, use those instead.
⇨ Store your binder in a dry, cool, dark place in a flat, horizontal position. Hanging it up on a clothes hanger could stretch the fabric which is something you want to avoid.
⇨ Avoid putting your binder in direct sunlight or heat, which deteriorates the fabric.
⇨ Rotate between at least two binders if you can— wearing the same one daily shortens its lifespan a LOT. Try to leave each one unused for 24 hours if possible to let the elastic rest.
II. Washing
⇨ It is best to wash your binder at least 1-2 times a week. Sweat and other dirt and buildup can irritate your skin and even cause fungal infections.
PS: try your best to NOT STINK!!! do not be stinky do not be stinky do not be stinky do not be s
⇨ Handwash your binder instead of machine washing when possible — washing machines can stretch, tear, damage, and discolor the fabric. Hand washing is much more gentle on your binder and can help it to last longer!
⇨ When handwashing your binder, turn it inside out so the part that touches your skin the most gets washed. Use cold or lukewarm water and avoid hot water. Knead it in the soapy water in the sink with a gentle detergent and let it soak for about ten minutes, then rinse all the soap out. Squeeze the water out, don’t wring it out (this can stretch the material).
⇨ It is better to air dry your binder than to put it in the dryer, which can deteriorate the fibers over time.
⇨ Air dry your binder flat on a towel, not hanging to avoid stretching. Avoid hanging your binder at all costs
⇨ If your binder has any zippers or clasps, secure them before washing so it doesn’t snag on anything.
⇨ If you have to machine wash your binder, put it in a delecates bag (a bag that keeps delicate laundry safe while washing) before throwing it in. This avoids some of the damage it would get without the bag! (a pillowcase tied with a hairtie works fine too)
III. Wearing
⇨ Stretch before and after binding.
⇨ Sit up straight. While slouching when not slouching is fine and creates the appearance of a flatter chest, slouching while wearing a binder can roll the bottom elastic up and bunch your chest together, creating a rounder shape to your chest which is something you probably don’t want. You can obviously adjust it back however you like, but it’s more convenient to not have to do it as much.
⇨ Be sure to wear deodorant before putting it on. You will most definitely be sweating while wearing it, so you will smell way better when you do and you’ll be way fresher. Less stinky is ALWAYS best!!!
⇨ If you are someone who sweats a lot, wearing an extra shirt underneath your binder can prevent your chest sliding around due to all the sweat when you move. It’s also a lot more comfortable!
⇨ Don’t wear your binder for more than 8 hours. Wearing it for too long can cause damage to your lungs, ribs and it hurts like hell after. DONT DO IT MAN 🫣
⇨ Take breaks, especially in public. If you have the opportunity to just go to the bathroom for like five minutes, take it off, and take some deep breaths and stretches, do it as often as you can.
⇨ Be aware that binders do not last forever, and that you may need to replace them every 6-9 months due to inevitable stretching from wear- even with proper actions taken to care for it.
All these things can help extend the lifespan of your binder and make sure YOU are safe and okay with yo swag asf flat chest!! 👍👍
Sources: https://gc2b-help-center.gorgias.help/en-US/how-do-i-wash-my-binder-82087
https://www.reddit.com/r/ftm/comments/164sxm5/how_do_i_wash_binders_and_how_regularly_should_i/
https://www.reddit.com/r/ftm/comments/pkshwi/how_do_you_guys_store_your_binders/
and my ALL KNOWING EVER EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE.
this is from my blog and I decided to post it here too :P
Comment anymore tips for binders and binding below ;]
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