It’s laundry day here on Tumblr and I am beginning to hear the confused whispers in the wind. You have your binder. It’s great. You wear it every day. You’re really freakin’ tired of handwashing it in the sink when nobody’s looking. A lot of people seem pretty confused about how you wash a binder!
So I emailed my mom:
“hi mom!
Do you think you could do me a big giant favor and write about washing binders for my tumblr? =D you don’t have to if you don’t want to but I think people would get a lot out of it and plus it’d be adorable. Thanks!
Hows stuff at home?
Love you!”
And she replied: “It’s really not complicated: just wash it like any washable delicates—in cold water on gentle cycle with mild detergent like Woolite. Hang to dry.
You can print that.”
Okay so obviously my mom doesn’t speak Teenage Boy.
When I lived at home, Mommy Dearest would throw my binders in with Sister’s bras and all the nylon shorts and H&M t-shirts- y’know, things that tend to fall apart if you don’t treat them with love. She washed them cold and on the “delicate” setting (yeah, washing machines have settings. Crazy, right?), used the Woolite instead of the Tide (yup. supermoms buy two different kinds of detergent), and then hung it all up to dry.
But that method only works if 1. you have the coolest mother of all time and 2. you have enough delicates to do a load regularly.
The Solutions to the Above Problems:
1. If your mother isn’t the coolest of all time and you’re living at home (or in any situation where you don’t feel comfortable tossing your binder in the wash), you can either handwash your binders (use the mild detergent if you can snag it, the regular detergent if you can snag that, and a bar of soap in other cases): fill up the sink with cold water and a splash of detergent, scrunch and swish your binder for a few minutes, then drain and rinse until all the soap is gone. Even if you’re worried about discreetness, find a way to hang it up to dry. Put it on a plastic or wire hanger and tuck it in a corner of your closet if you must.
2. If you don’t have enough delicates to do an entire load of them, it’s totally okay to throw your binders in the regular washing machine! It’s not the Supermom method, but like, Supermom makes homemade cookies and we buy them at Wal-mart and at the end of the day we all have cookies. Just make sure you use cold water. Also, don’t use anything rougher than a standard wash. Honestly, I do all of my laundry- jeans, t-shirts, binder, socks, undies, packing strap- in one cold load. The only thing I handwash is H&M t-shits because seriously, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but those things are made of rice paper.
A note for College Kids and Laundromat-Goers:
I don’t trust laundromat washers with my binders (or anything that’s not tough like jeans or shirts or socks or undies), so now that I’m at school using finicky industrial-grade washers that only have hot/cold settings, I’m washing my binders and packing strap in the sink. All of them need to air dry, but if I wasn’t out to my roommates I’d make room to hang them in the closet on a plastic hanger instead of in the bathroom.
This is Pas Mon Genre, a small shop in France that sells binders and will hopefully, in the future, be selling non-gendered clothing items, and I wanted to say they’ve been so lovely and understanding, and their binders are really well made! I haven’t seen many European based companies selling properly shaped binders, and it’s run entirely by four people. They’re working on making their binders more inclusive and available, but they need support, and I thought I’d throw my voice out there in recommendation of these people!
They’ve been so helpful as well in getting my sizing sorted and a new binder arranged, and I’m very grateful to them for being so understanding! I recommend these guys if you’re looking for a reasonably priced, designed binders and they could use support to make more things like this in the future!
um or don’t because it’s unhealthy and can mess up ur body a similar way as an ace bandage?
Guys please dont double bind!! I know it sucks to not have a flat chest, trust me im a triple D and im not a big dude..im rather small. I. Know. It. Sucks. But. Please! DONT! DOUBLE! BIND! It can heavily damage your body! Its way too risky and not worth it… believe me its not!
Hey fam, double binding now severely impacts your ability to have a healthy enough body for top surgery (if you want it), exercise, or even basic respiration in the future. So, even though not being flat right now sucks (I hear you. I’m with you. I’m sorry.) right now will not last forever, and right now is not worth all of the things double binding will make you not be able to enjoy or even experience.
There are so many awesome things about you that deserve more room to breathe and flourish than double binding will allow.
Your validity is not determined by how flat you are.
Your worth is not measured in the circumference of your chest.
You deserve to breathe. You deserve belly laughs, and the ability for your lungs to expand enough to sing really bad karaoke or blow out birthday candles or take your dog for a walk. You deserve oxygen, and unbroken ribs, and unpunctured lungs. You deserve to live like the bad ass you are, and you can’t if you can’t breathe (I know this from experience!).
By double binding you are restricting the glory of who you are and all you can be to this idea that validity, joy, and worth are only for guys with flat chests. It’s a lie. You don’t need a flat chest to be valid. You don’t need a flat chest to own your truth and be true to it. The idea is a lie. You don’t deserve its consequences (physical and emotional). The truth of your validity and awesomeness is so much better, so please bind safely and keep breathing into the bad ass that is you.
Sorry for the spam guys, but really, I’m reblogging these because no one talks about double binding and the first reblog really shocked me. The only reason I am mentioning this is because I’VE done it, and it’s not ok.
Thankfully, I stopped double binding before breaking any ribs, despite doing it for a quite a long time, but I know that double binding has damaged me INSIDE.
I used to double bind almost daily because of dysphoria and it got to the point, I really did need to have a break. I couldn’t bind at all and thankfully, at this time I was going through mental health issues so I didn’t leave my house in need of having to wear my binder, but I was in pain; my back, my chest, my ribs, everything hurt. I remember for about 2 weeks I stayed in bed but I remember even lying down would kill me. I’ve never been to a doctor about it, but I have eventually healed.
However, even now, my back, chest and ribs can still hurt if I bind for about 1-2 hours. My body really can’t take it any more and there will also be times that even without binding, it will play up.
Just because you’re not using an ace bandage, or tape, does NOT mean that double binding with a chest binder, a small sports bra, a small binder or a mixture of both is safe and won’t harm you, because it’s far from safe.
Bind safely, one binder is enough and remember that chests are not 100% flat.
You really need to listen if you are doing this because I know that if I saw a message like this sooner, I probably would have stopped.
Don’t try that mascara/arm hair shit. I’ve been passing for more than a year with short, blond arm hair. It’s not an important secondary sex characteristic.
Board shorts (without pockets in the front) do wonders to minimize the width of your hips. Always choose board shorts over swim trunks. Choose them over cargo shorts if it’s appropriate.
Speak from your chest, never from your head.
The goal of binding should not be an entirely flat chest; you should bind for your body type.
GC2b makes the best binders out there, and their products are designed specifically for trans men/transmasculine people.
It might seem useless if you’re pre-T, but working out can be a big help for dysphoria.
Eyebrows are really important to passing pre-testosterone. Muss that shit up. Make them look unkempt.
When you ask for a haircut, make sure the edges in the back are squared, not rounded.
If you have peach fuzz, I would advise shaving it. Cis guys shed theirs when they go through puberty. Shaving can also help with facial hair dysphoria.
Don’t ever buy a binder from Amazon. They run in strange sizes (I was an XXL even though I’m a M in GC2b) and take weeks/months to come. It’s also difficult to breathe in them after a few hours.
For guys with bigger chests (i.e.: when binding feels like it does nothing, no matter how constricting your binder is. I.e. Me and some others I know) BUTTON UPS. Tee shirts just don’t cut it unless you can manage to be flat. But a button up can help. Also looser, patterned clothing can disguise curves.
God okay so I’m going to say this now; PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not risk your health or anyone’s in the form of getting a “cheap” binder of ebay or where ever. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE save your $4-$10 dollars for those cheap ebay ones and put it towards a gc2b binder. Or if you want an Underworks go for that but I highly suggest gc2b. They’re about $40 (with shipping) and will last you WAY longer than any cheap ebay one. They are MEANT for lasting you. I wash mine many times week, wear it daily, Wear them daily. I have two. Had them for almost a year now. But I cannot urge you enough to PLEASE save up your pennies for a PROPER SAFE binder. Binders you can breathe in, binders you can move in, binders that don’t crush your ribs, binders that are comfortable, binders that are safe.
This isn’t a safe binder:
It uses clasps and not compression.
This is a c2b binder; made by trans people for trans people:
These binders have no clasps but uses spandex to compress you safety.
Measure your chest before ordering to make sure you don’t get one too small or too large.
UPDATE (06/12)
I wanted to add more information on where you can buy binders and info in general about binders
If you can’t afford a binder, don’t despair! Used binders are often passed on by post-op trans men or those whose binders may no longer fit. There are a few programs available that help distribute donated second-hand binders:
In A Bind – Started in 2012, to date In a Bind has provided safe compression garments to over 1500 youth in need. Trans* masculine and genderqueer youth living anywhere in the USA can apply to receive a free binder. In a Bind depends on donations. Recently had top surgery? Go up or down a size? Find a style that works better for you? Donate those binders you’re no longer using!
MORF Binder Exchange – Since February 2011, MORF has been providing free binders to trans* masculine people in the UK and around the world. The free scheme (all you pay is the postage) has so far redistributed hundreds of binders. In 2014 alone, over 280 binders were sent out.
If you still remember your old bra size, you can find out your binder size by using theBra to Chest Size Converter Tool. If you don’t know your old bra size, you can measure yourself the old-fashioned way:
Take a snug measurement of the fullest part of your chest using a tape measure (best if measured while clothed) and write that number down onto a sheet of paper.
Measure underneath your chest where the crease is and write that number down as well.
Add those numbers together and divide the sum by 2. This number will differentiate your size not only from brand to brand but from binder to binder as well.
Selecting a binder brand and style can be difficult: there are so many options that it can be overwhelming! Plus, there aren’t very many reviews of binders other than those about Underworks’ and T-Kingdom’s more popular models. After buying your binder, help make the experience easier for guys in the future by contributing your review to one of the review sites listed below.
Essentially, there are two types of binders: short ones and long ones. The short ones end right at your waist. The down side of these is that if you carry some extra weight, short binders tend to roll up and act more like a bra. The long ones can be pulled down past your waist by several inches, however it’s inevitable that it will still roll up. To reduce the chances of this, wear a belt. Choosing between a short and long binder has more to do with your body type, specifically your abdomen, and not your chest size.
Lastly, consider the location of the company you’re buying from. Buying from a company that’s closer to you can save you a significant amount of money on shipping costs.
How to Put On a Chest Binder
It might seem silly, but you’re probably going to need some help figuring out how to put on your new binder, particularly if you purchased one of the longer styles.
Put your binder inside out and upside down.
Step into your binder and pull the bottom of it up, ideally to your belt line. The binder should still be inside out and upside down.
Use the sleeves as handles to pull the top of the binder (the end closer to your feet) up to your shoulders.
Put your arms through the sleeve holes and adjust your chest to your needs. You may need to pull the bottom of the binder out from underneath itself if you don’t want it folded under. For others, leaving it folded under may help stop the binder from rolling up.
Don’t be disappointed if you look in the mirror and it looks like you have one big boob in the middle of your chest. You just need to adjust your chest. Reach in from the neck hole and push your chesticles down and out. You’re basically pushing your nipple toward your armpit to achieve the flattest looking chest possible.
FTM Chest Binding Tips
Very important: When binding, you should not by any means feel as though you can’t breathe or like you’re going to pass out from a lack of oxygen.
Binders aren’t the most comfortable things in the world. To make binding more comfortable, and to reduce the possibility of the binder moving around a bit, some guys wear a light shirt underneath.
Depending on the size of your chest, you may need to layer clothing on top of the binder to get optimal chest flattening. You’ll find that some of the shirts in your closet require you to layer more than shirts in your wardrobe.
You can swim in your binder. Just wear a sleeveless or sleeved T-shirt over it. Don’t worry if your binder seems less effective after a swim, this isn’t permanent. Simply wash it and it will go back to normal.
Your chest will look bigger than it really is when you look down at it. Check in the mirror for a more accurate side view.
Not all binders breathe well, and the reality is that you’re probably going to get hot. If you’ve already started testosterone, you’re definitely going to sweat. The build up of sweat can irritate your skin causing rashes and sores. Wearing a thin cotton shirt that breathes well underneath your binder may help prevent this. If you find this uncomfortable, try applying corn starch to your body before putting on your binder to help keep it from holding in moisture. If you’ve already experienced skin irritation of some sort, take care of it the same way you would an open wound. Washing the irritated area with anti-bacterial soap will keep it clean and help it heal faster.
Conclusion
Chest binding, as cumbersome as it may seem, can be very freeing for transgender men. There’s a plethora of quality FTM chest binding products available for body types of all shapes and sizes. Regardless of what you use for binding, please remember to put your health first. Now that you’re armed with all the information you need to find the right binder for you, go forth and feel more comfortable in your skin!
FTM Chest Binder Reviews
Chest Binder Reviews Site: Written reviews of various chest binding products. Binders are rated for effectiveness, comfort, and discreetness.
Binder Reviews’ YouTube Collab Channel: This is a collab channel dedicated to providing reviews of a wide variety of chest binders on different sizes and shapes of people.
Hudson’s Guide to FTM Binding: Includes a complete list of other products you can use for chest binding, such as compression garments and sports bras.
FYI Binding Tips: The Butchelor has some useful tips on how to put on a binder, how to keep it from rolling up, and how to wash a binder.
Do you have any tips about binding? Want to share your experience with a particular binder brand or model? Do you know of other binder manufacturers, particularly those outside of Asia and the US? Please leave your comments below.
I bought my best friend their first binder because I wanted to be sure they were binding safely, and I want to be sure that anyone binding is doing it safely, so I’m reposting this now.
GROSS THINGS U SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CHEST BINDING IN SUMMER
you can find fashion advice on how to make things more visually manageable and more comfortable, but for bigger guys some of those tips don’t apply and some issues will come up anyway. here’s some stuff I could’ve stood to know last year.
if you feel the need to layer or wear something thick, sleeveless hoodies exist. they can save you a bit of heat.
take off layers when you can. wash carefully in the folds of your skin, dab moisture away occasionally during the day, and wash your binders OFTEN.
fungal infections: for bigger guys, these can happen between and under breasts. if you notice a vinegary smell when you unbind, that’s what that is. afaik there’s no massive health risk from this kind of thing on your skin, but still try to keep those areas dry and clean.
you might get some pimples on your chest, which is fine.
you might also get sebaceous cysts. LEAVE THEM ALONE. do not try to pop them yourself, it increases risk of infection. they’ll probably go away on their own; if one becomes inflamed, see a doctor.
in the heat, your binder will stick to your skin more and the shoulder straps will dig into your skin. don’t wait until you’re bleeding - if it feels raw at all, pad your straps. you can get bra strap pads online, or just make your own with whatever you have handy.
lastly: drink a lot of water. you’re wearing layers, and binders are skintight. you will sweat more.
I know everything is gross + miserable but hang in there and take care of yourself.
