How Often to Replace Underwear

Alex Kinejara November 29, 2021

Underwear drying in the sun on a clear day

By: Heather Bien

They’re there, lurking in the back of your drawer. The elastic is stretched, and there are a few holes in the fabric, maybe even a stain or two. But you can’t bring yourself to get rid of those comfy, worn-out underwear you’ve had around since college.

We know the feeling—you get attached to your clothing, and throwing it away is like getting rid of your favorite childhood stuffed animal. It’s faded, scruffy, and unattractive, but you love it anyway. However, if you’ve had underwear hanging around for a decade, they’ve well exceeded their lifespan.

Regardless of whether it’s women’s underwear or men’s bamboo underwear (Don’t get us started on the boxers vs. briefs debate!), most recommendations for how often to replace underwear are between 6 to 12 months. If your underwear drawer needs an overhaul, we’ve got you covered with the tips you need to decide what to toss and how to replace those old undies with long-lasting, sustainable new pairs.

Components of Underwear

You might not think it’s necessary, but knowing the anatomy of underwear can not only help you choose the right pair, but even help you clean them. The parts include the elastic waistband, the leg openings, and the gusset. For those that don’t know, you might call the gusset the pocket in panties. You might be asking, “What is the pocket in panties for?”. That is the part of the underwear that offers additional protection for your genital area.

Signs Your Underwear Need to Be Replaced

It’s important to note that the 6 to 12-month recommendation is just a guideline, and there isn’t an exact science to determine how long your underwear will last. Instead, there are several signs you can look for if you think it might be time to say goodbye. These typically appear after around a year or so of regular use and include:¹

Stretch – The elastic around your legs and waist will lose its give over time. If you notice that your underwear has lost its stretch, it’s time to move on to a new pair.

Fit – Once the stretch is gone, your underwear won’t have the smooth, glove-like fit you want them to have. Saggy underwear isn’t comfortable, nor are they an attractive option under your clothing.

Frequency of wear – The underwear you wear more frequently is more likely to accumulate bacteria than those you only wear on special occasions.² The risk for serious health problems is low, but you’re better off avoiding infection altogether by replacing your regular rotation often.

What Happens if You Don’t Replace Your Underwear?

Bacteria can accumulate in your underwear over time. Even regular washing can leave microorganisms behind. Bacteria can lead to:

Urinary tract infections
Yeast infections
Skin irritation

However, a study by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists didn’t find a link between underwear and infection.³ Instead, a person’s individual hygiene was more predictive of their infection risk. Therefore, wearing old underwear isn’t likely to be risky to your health as long as you wash them regularly.

How Can You Make Underwear Last Longer?

You can take steps to make your underwear last longer and keep them cleaner. This begins with buying high-quality garments made from strong and sustainable materials. Cheap, synthetic fabrics will tear and lose their shape faster than those made from organic cotton and bamboo viscose. They’ll also take longer to decompose once you can no longer use them.

The way you wash your underwear will also have a huge impact on how long they last. Experts recommend taking the following precautions when washing your undies:⁴

Hand wash with cold water most of the time
Use a gentle detergent
Occasionally machine wash with hot water
If machine washing, use a lingerie bag to protect them
Don’t put them in the dryer—hang dry only

(Note: When washing stained underwear, coat the stain with baking soda and rub until the stain disappears.)

These steps will help your underwear last longer while keeping your body free from potentially harmful bacteria. Check out our article on How to Wash Underwear for more tips.

What Should You Do With Old Underwear?

Now that you know how often to buy new underwear, you need to know what to do with those old pairs in the back of your drawer. Tossing them into the trash is the easiest solution, but it’s not eco-friendly. In fact, textiles can take up to 30 years to completely break down in a landfill.⁵ As a more sustainable alternative, you can try:

Donating them to an organization that recycles textiles
Some brands will take back your old underwear and repurpose them
Use them as cleaning rags around the house (just not in the kitchen)
Men’s boxers can be knotted into ropes for your dog to use as a tug toy
100% natural fabrics (organic cotton, hemp, bamboo viscose, and wool) can be composted

These methods take more work than simply throwing them away, but we think it’s worth it to keep more textiles out of landfills.

**Boody Eco Wear: Sustainable and Long-Lasting Comfort**

When you have a pair of underwear that fits perfectly and smoothly under your favorite pants, you don’t want to get rid of it. Even once the seams begin to fray and the elastic gives way, you’re still reluctant to say goodbye.

We get it, and we have the perfect solution. That’s why we prioritize comfort and sustainability in every product we make. At Boody Eco Wear, you can shop confidently knowing that our bamboo-derived products are good for you and the environment. Say hello to your new favorite sustainable underwear.

About the Author:

Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.

Sources:

Martha Stewart. How Often Should You Be Replacing Undergarments? https://www.marthastewart.com/7617748/replacing-undergarments-timeline
Huffpost. How Often You Should Buy New Underwear Depends on 2 Key Factors. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/underwear-washing-life-span_n_5ae72885e4b02baed1bca53d
Obstetrics and Gynecology. Brief vs. Thong Hygiene in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Survey Study. https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/2018/05001/Brief_vs_Thong_Hygiene_in_Obstetrics_and.375.aspx
Sustainable Jungle. What to Do With Old Underwear and Bras. https://www.sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-fashion/what-to-do-with-old-underwear-and-bras/
Green Matters. How to Get Rid of Your Old Underwear, Sustainably. https://www.greenmatters.com/p/donate-underwear
Christine-Marie Liwag Dixon, The Real Reason Women’s Underwear Has a Pocket, The List, https://www.thelist.com/160946/the-real-reason-womens-underwear-has-a-pocket
Anatomy of a Panty, Clovia, https://www.clovia.com/blog/anatomy-of-a-panty/

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By: Heather Bien We’re all trying to be better stewards of Mother Earth. From recycling to upcycling and eating conscientiously to dressing mindfully, our choices affect the planet. So choosing organic cotton clothing seems like an easy decision, right? Not so fast! As with all sustainable choices, it’s important to take a moment to learn a bit more about why organic cotton might win over conventional cotton—and what makes these two materials different in the first place. Read on if you’re interested in learning about organic cotton and whether it’s the best choice for you and the environment. Conventional cotton Before we get into debating modern cotton farming techniques, let’s get familiar with the plant we’re talking about: cotton. It’s soft, durable, and probably on your body right now. But what else do you really know about cotton? Here are the basics: Cotton comes from the cotton plant – The cotton plant is a warm-season woody perennial shrub from the genus Gossypium and the family Malvaceae. Cotton fabric is made from the plant’s fibrous seed-hair (which is also called a cotton boll). Cotton is one of the top agricultural crops – Traditional cotton is the most widespread and profitable non-food crop in the world. Although the plant is capable of growing in any warm-weather climate, India and China are now the top producers of cotton globally. Cotton is thirsty – A normal cotton plant requires 10 gallons of water to reach peak potential. That doesn’t sound so bad, but multiplying it outward, that means it takes about 5,000 gallons of water to produce just 2.2 pounds of cotton fabric. Pests think it’s delicious – Not only is cotton thirsty, but it’s prone to pest infestations from bollworms, weevils, aphids, stink bugs, thrips, and spider mites. In order to combat these common pests, conventional cotton is routinely sprayed with a veritable salad-dressing of pesticides, many of which can remain in the soil and water supply for years afterward. Cotton harvesting requires defoliation – In order to quickly and efficiently harvest cotton, many commercial growers use chemical defoliants to strip the leaves from the cotton plant prior to harvesting the bolls. Like pesticides, these chemicals remain in the environment and on the cotton itself. Is organic cotton better? All of those cotton factoids point pretty compellingly to buying and wearing organic cotton fabric. But first, it’s important to understand what sets this organic alternative apart. Why exactly is “organic” cotton anyway? You might associate the word organic with your healthy fruits and veggies, but it’s not always clear what this term means when it comes to cotton. For many years, there was not a standard definition, but today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) require that any cotton product labeled “organic” meet the following criteria: Made with fibers from USDA-certified organic crops Third-party certified (ie., through the Global Organic Textile Standard) under the National Organic Program standards Has a specific percentage of organic material (depending on the crop) But this definition is a little circular, so we need also to define USDA-certified organic crops. According to the USDA, organic crop standards are defined as follows: Land must have had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least three years before the harvest of an organic crop. Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops. These can be supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials. Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices, including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used. Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available. The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge is prohibited. What is organic cotton? In short, it’s cotton that is farmed according to these practices and certified organic by the USDA. Why should you choose organic cotton? With fewer pesticides, fewer synthetic chemicals, and more thoughtful cultivation practices, organic cotton can certainly offer a more environmentally friendly choice when compared to regular cotton. Is organic cotton sustainable? Here are a few other reasons why organic cotton can be a better alternative for you and the earth: It’s better for our water resources – According to an analysis by the Textile Exchange, producing an organic cotton T-shirt requires 1,982 fewer gallons of water compared to a regular cotton T-shirt. Because organic cotton uses less chemicals, its production also releases fewer toxins into our aquatic ecosystems. It’s good for the soil (and our carbon footprint) – According to the Soil Association, the more natural cultivation practices and fewer pesticides used by organic cotton farmers can support healthier soil. That soil, in turn, can absorb more carbon from our atmosphere and help keep the planet healthy. It encourages biodiversity – Multiple studies have shown that organic farming practices can encourage more diversity among the animal species of our planet. Sustainability is sometimes in the eye of the beholder. But when it comes to plant-derived textiles, the ones which help us create a healthier world are always a better alternative. Explore the benefits of bamboo with Boody Whether you choose to purchase conventional or organic cotton clothing, the fact that you are shopping mindfully for yourself is a win for the environment. At Boody, we believe in bringing you quality, comfy, sustainable clothing basics that keep you feeling good about yourself and your personal impact on Mother Earth. From our sleepwear to our loungewear, women’s bamboo shirts to our underwear, sustainable and ethical are our touchstones. Our clothing is made of bamboo viscose, requiring less water than cotton while putting precious oxygen back into the environment. That just feels good, doesn’t it? Explore the bamboo benefits today, with Boody. Sources: Britannica. Cotton. https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre-and-plant Cotton. The Story of Cotton - Where Cotton Grows. https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/where.cfm World Wildlife Federation. Cotton. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton Textile Exchange. Quick Guide to Organic Cotton. https://textileexchange.org/quick-guide-to-organic-cotton Soil Association. What is organic cotton? https://www.soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/fashion-textiles/organic-cotton/ USDA. Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2016/02/29/conservation-and-biological-diversity-organic-production About the Author: Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.