How often should you buy new underwear? That’s the question and the answer is less straightforward than it might first appear. After all, several men probably think that their underwear should literally wear out its welcome, staying in rotation until it features gaping holes and dangling threads.
The short answer, according to most experts, is that you should replace your old underwear with new underwear once every 6-12 months. While that might seem like a somewhat broad window of time, we know dudes who’ve worn the same undies and briefs for over a decade so it’s pretty specific.
Does Bacteria Accumulate in Your Underwear?
Here’s the ugly truth. Your underwear gets up close and personal with your skin and private areas and takes in a lot of living bacteria as a result. Furthermore, your laundry water isn’t nearly as clean as you think it is. Even after you do a wash, your underwear can reportedly contain up to 10,000 living bacteria, including E.coli.
While most living bacteria aren’t innately harmful to your health, some of them can become so over time. By holding on to those undies for over a year, you’re allowing everything from E.coli to dust mites to accumulate. Eventually, this could lead to dilemmas such as urinary tract infections, rashes, or allergies.
How Often Should You Buy New Underwear?
Experts agree that you should replace your old underwear with new underwear once every 6-12 months.
If you’re the kind of guy who has an entire drawer full of boxers and briefs and therefore maintains a fairly broad rotation, you can probably hold on to each pair for a full year.
On the other hand, if you’re the kind of guy who’s been rotating between the same four pairs of undies for the last six months, it’s time to swap them out. And remember: this goes for everyone, including men who wash their underwear regularly.
There are also other factors to consider, many of which will vary from person to person. For example, maybe you have specific underwear that you rock to the gym or on hikes and jogs. Naturally, those undies are going to break down faster and gather more bacteria. For obvious reasons, they should be replaced sooner than your other pairs.
How Often Should You Wash Your Underwear?
Generally speaking, you should wear your undies for no longer than a full day and launder them before wearing them again. If you wear the same pair for two days in a row, will it kill you? No, it will not. You might start to itch a little, though.
When you wash your underwear, employ the hot water setting to destroy as many living bacteria as possible. You should also clean the machine itself by doing a hot water wash without any clothing once every month. This too will help kill off common bacteria. When you do put in the next load, don’t forget to use a trusted detergent.
How Do You Know When to Replace Your Underwear?
Several men don’t remember when they bought their underwear, which can make proper replacement something of a chore. In this scenario, you can rely on physical cues to determine when your underwear has run its course. For instance, when the material starts to sag or the colour begins to fade or the elastic waistband gives out, it’s time for those undies to go.
To reiterate, the bacteria living inside your underwear won’t kill you. Underwear replacement is more about comfort and performance than it is about personal health, even if you are at risk for certain types of infections or rashes over time. At the end of the day, you don’t want to feel itchy or irritated in your most sensitive area and this alone is enough reason to practice a proper wash and replacement regimen.
How Many Pairs of Underwear Should a Man Have?
No two men are the same and neither are their lifestyle habits. Some men go to the gym regularly while others don’t. Some men travel for work while others never get out of their robes. Nevertheless, most experts agree that every grown male should have at least 10 pairs of underwear in his wardrobe.
What is the Best Fabric for Underwear?
Ultimately, you want a material that’s long-lasting, breathable, and tight-fitting. If only maximum comfort and performance will suffice, look no further than 100% Pima Cotton. Made from the fluffiest part of the plant, this particular type is both softer and more durable than standard cotton.
As a base material in underwear, boxer briefs, t-shirts, and other apparel, Pima Cotton delivers smooth texture and premium support, all while feeling somewhat cool against the skin. Put simply, this is the perfect material for all-day wearability. Your groin will thank you.
Your FAQs Answered
As a general rule of thumb, you should replace your underwear once every 6-12 months.
It's been said that the average pair of men's underwear lasts about seven years. However, it's recommended that men replace their underwear once every 6-12 months.
You shouldn't wear the same underwear for more than a day, or two days at most.
