What is a binder?
A binder is an undergarment used to compress one's breasts, and give the appearance of a flat chest.

Why would someone wear a binder?
Binders are most often used by transgender men who experience gender dysphoria from having breasts. They are also often used by non-binary, or even sometimes cisgender individuals who would like to hide their breasts. These gender-affirming garments are used by a variety of people to look more like how they feel.

Are binders safe?
So long as you are using a properly sized binder from a reputable brand, yes, binders are safe to wear.

What are the dangers of improper binding?
Improper binding can lead to damage to the ribs and lungs, often in the form of bruising. In severe cases, improper binding can result in being unable to get top surgery, or even continue to bind.

Are there alternatives to binders for binding?
Yes! Some people use trans tape, or sports bras.

• Wear binders which are the correct size. A properly sized binder should be comfortable, and not cause discomfort while being worn. Make sure to take proper measurements, and check size charts before ordering a new binder.
• If binding during heavy exercise or manual labor, switch to wearing a binder which is a size larger than your normal size. Either that, or wear a sports bra instead of a binder.
• Take breaks from binding to let your chest relax.
• If you are going to swim while wearing a binder, make sure to get a binder which is intended to be worn while swimming. If you don't have such a binder, or are unable to get one, use a binder that is a size too large, such as you would with other forms of exercise.

• Do not wear binders which are a size too small. If you are between sizes, go with the larger size. Binders which are too small are difficult to put on, and even if you do manage to put them on; they can be painful and cause damage to your body.
• If binding with sports bras, do not wear more than one sports bra at the same time.
• Do not wear ACE bandages in place of a binder. They are not intended for this purpose, as ACE bandages are meant to hold bones in place. Binders are designed to expand comfortably as you breath. ACE bandages can and will restrict breathing, along with causing damage to the ribs and lungs. Only use ACE bandages as directed by a physician.
• Do not wear a tight binder during heavy exercise. Even when binding safely, binders still restrict breathing. It is unwise to restrict one's breathing during strenuous activity.
• Do not bind for extensive lengths of time, or until you are in pain. Binding should NOT be painful.
• Avoid clasp binders. They compress unevenly, putting stress on your ribs.
• Avoid velcro binders. As they are self-adjustable, they may be tightned more than is safe (either purposefully or accidentially).
• Do not wear a normal binder for swimming.
• Do not sleep while wearing a binder.

Before anything else, double check the care instructions for your binder. If the brand for your binder of choice says that you are able to throw your binder in the washing machine, then go ahead. Some binders can even be safely thrown in the dryer. If you find that it must be hand washed, or you cannot find any information on care instrucitons (which usually means you're going to have to hand wash it), then continue onto the rest of this section if you're not sure how to hand wash a binder.

Additionally, do not put a binder in the dryer unless you know for sure if it is safe. If a binder is not meant to go in a commercial dryer, this can mean that it will shrink. If a binder shrinks, then it can compress in a way that it is not meant to.

Before you begin washing your binder, make sure that you have everything you need.

• The binder in question.
• A sink that can be filled up without draining, or a bucket which can be filled with hot water
• Liquid detergent, or other appropriate soap
• A spot to hang the binder to air-dry once done

Soak the binder in hot water and detergent. The hotter the water is (so long as you are not burning yourself) the better. Clothes are primarially cleaned through friction, so you're going to have to swish around, massage, and rub the fabric binder against itself. Spend a few minutes doing this before ringing out the binder.

Drain the dirty water, and replace with clean water. Continue ringing out and rinsing the binder until the water runs clear. Once the water is clear, ring out the binder as much as possible, so that it isn't dripping.

Hang the binder to dry. Make sure to wait to put it away or put it back on until it is completely dry. When clothing doesn't have a chance to properly dry, it can get musty, resulting in a bad smell and unhygenic conditions.

amor sensory - based in Australia
binder me - based in Poland
cantiqla - based in The United States
esha taipei - based in Taiwan
etsy - GenderBenderLLC - based in The United States
flavnt - based in The United States
gc2b - based in The United States
gender gear - based in Canada
iguana trend - based in Poland
man sculpture - based in The United States
morris designs - based in The United States
my double design - based in The United States
nouvelle inc - based in The United States
origami customs - based in the unceded traditional territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka (located in The United States)
paxies - based in The Netherlands
peecock products - based in Singapore
rebirth garments - based in The United States
shapeshifters - based in The United States
sock drawer heroes - based in Australia
spectrum outfitters - based in The United Kingdom
sweat it out - based in The United States
t kingdom - based in Taiwan
tomboyx - based in The United States
transundeez - based in The Netherlands
underworks - based in The United States
untag - based in The Netherlands
ur basics - based in Canada
wivov - based in The United States
your open closet - based in Canada

dcats - free binder program based in USA
FTM Essentials
genderbands - free binder program based in USA
Point of Pride - free binder program based in USA
Transgender Teen Survival Guide - Binding FAQ
Trans Guy Supply
TransHub: Binding
Trans Lifeline: Binding Guide
WikiHow: Make-a-Binder
YouTube Video: spectrum binder VS gc2b binders - cc