How Long Should You Keep Underwear Before Replacing?

It can be tempting to go a long time without replacing your underwear. After all, they go under your clothes, so who would really notice?

Believe it or not, though, underwear does have an expiration date (kind of). Keep reading for insight into how long you should keep your underwear, signs it's time to replace them, and how to extend the lifespan of your intimates.

How often should you replace underwear?

If you wear and wash your underwear regularly (as in, about once a week per pair), you should replace it every six months to a year. It depends on the material and design, but this is around how long underwear hold up and are hygienic enough to continue wearing.

Of course, if you wear a pair less frequently, you can keep it longer. And anything you wear more often should be replaced sooner.

Also, certain types of underwear, like period panties and thongs, might need to be replaced more often due to unwanted stains. And ill-fitting pieces, like too-tight underwear, should go to make room for better-fitting pairs.

Signs it's time to replace your underwear

How do you know if a single pair of underwear should be replaced? Look for the signs:

• Overstretched elastic that isn't as stretchy or flexible as it used to be

• Faded or discolored fabric

• Stains or spots that don't come out in the wash

• An uncomfortable feel

If your underwear is starting to wear out, it might be time to explore newer, better options.

Different fabrics, different lifespans

As noted, some materials last longer than others — due to the fabric fiber and the textile knit.

For instance, cotton is a natural fiber with a high tensile strength, meaning it can be continuously expanded without losing its shape or breaking. But knit cotton is even stretchier, and when it's blended with a stretchy fabric like polyamide (nylon) or elastane (spandex), the durability is elevated further, meaning it might last longer. Be sure to check out our blog to learn more about best fabric for underwear.

How to extend the life of your underwear

If you ask us, high-quality underwear is a worthwhile investment. Though you should replace your underwear regularly, there are a few things you can do to ensure it holds up through that 6 to 12-month lifespan.

Washing and drying tips

Washing your underwear by hand and letting it air-dry can preserve the fabric and help it last longer. If hand-washing isn't in the cards for you, machine-washing is usually fine.

Any time you're putting undergarments in a washing machine, use a delicate cycle with cold or warm water and mild detergent. Cold water is more gentle on fabrics, but warm water can help kill bacteria and other germs. When in doubt, go with the brand's care instructions.

Placing underwear in a mesh lingerie wash bag first can also help protect the materials.

Keeping enough pairs in your rotation

How often you wear your underwear matters too. Your pair will last longer if you have enough in your rotation — that way, you won't have to wash or wear them as frequently and will always have a fresh pair of clean underwear.

It's not just having enough pairs but enough pairs you'll actually wear. So if you find an underwear style you love, you're wise to buy multiple.

Proper underwear storage

Laying your underwear flat and stacking pairs without folding them (like how panties might be displayed at a store) might help keep the fabric smooth. What's more, when you don't have to rummage through your underwear drawer to find a particular pair, you can avoid exposing it to the germs on your hands.

When to replace underwear for hygiene reasons

How long should you keep underwear if you wear it regularly? As mentioned, you'll want to replace your underwear every six to 12 months for hygienic reasons.

The cotton gussets in most pairs offer breathability and comfort, but swapping out old underwear for new pairs can help you avoid irritation or an infection, like a urinary tract infection.

The bottom line: regular underwear replacement for comfort and health

Investing in high-quality underwear can help you save money in the long run, as each pair will last longer. Plus, you'll be more likely to wear more of the pairs you own instead of always reaching for the same ones.

Ready to upgrade your collection with new underwear? Negative Underwear has intimately considered, never uncomfortable styles, from briefs and bikinis to thongs and boyshorts for women.

Check out our crazy-comfy best-selling underwear to see what's most popular.

Sources:

Skrzetuska E, et al. (2022). Assessment of the Impact of the Surface Modification Processes of Cotton and Polyester Fabrics with Various Techniques on Their Structural, Biophysical, Sensory, and Mechanical Properties. Polymers (Basel). doi:10.3390/polym14040796

Jovanović T, et al. (2022). Impact of the Elastane Percentage on the Elastic Properties of Knitted Fabrics under Cyclic Loading. Materials (Basel, Switzerland), 15(19), 6512. doi.org/10.3390/ma15196512

Metin A, et al. (2018). Recurrent candidal intertrigo: challenges and solutions. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 11, 175–185. doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S127841