What Is The Lifespan Of Underwear?

There are plenty of mistakes with underwear that people didn't know they were making. For example, contrary to popular belief, it isn't always hygienic to cycle through the same underwear for years on end. In fact, according to experts, old underwear should be replaced every six months to a year, at most. 

In a chat with Good Housekeeping, Dr. Susanna Unsworth, a dedicated women's healthcare expert, explained that major health issues from wearing the same underwear over an extended period can arise due to a decline in fabric quality over time. Per Dr. Unsworth, even if older underwear appeared clean with repeated washes, the deteriorating fabric's fibers could still retain bacteria, yeast, and moisture. She added that the fitting issues that came with the deteriorating fabric elasticity could cause irritation and rubbing. Even Janine Dutton, owner of Belle Lingerie, confirmed that ill-fitting underwear could lead to chafing, which makes you more susceptible to infections.

Meanwhile, speaking to The Independent, cosmetic doctor and intimate health specialist Dr. Shirin Lakhani of Elite Aesthetics explained why underwear had to be replaced more often than people believed. "[Underwear] takes in a lot of dead skin from [your intimate areas] as well as bacteria – both the healthy, naturally-occurring bacteria that we all have, as well as more harmful bacteria that can be a result of infections such as thrush and STIs," said Dr. Lakhani, noting how research had shown that throwing your underwear in the washing machine doesn't always eliminate bacteria, including harmful ones. 

Experts mention several factors that influence the lifespan of underwear. For starters, the frequency of wearing played a big part in the decision to replace underwear. Since underwear worn daily was more likely to have bacteria, it would be wise to replace it within a shorter timeframe. Meanwhile, underwear that wasn't worn as frequently could remain around longer. 

During Dr. Shirin Lakhani's chat with The Independent, she said that a good rule of thumb was to replace your underwear yearly. However, she stressed that underwear worn for sporty activities should be replaced far sooner. Narendra Pisal, consultant gynecologist at London Gynaecology, noted that it was best to replace cotton underwear after it had endured 50 washes in the washing machine. Notably, most experts agreed that you should think about throwing out your underwear when you start experiencing fitting issues, noticing fading color, holes, or bobbling material, or feeling irritation. 

The material of the underwear also makes a difference. Chatting with Yahoo! Shopping, Stacy Grace, founder and CEO of underwear brand Kent, explained how fabrics factor into longevity and comfort, saying, "Synthetics can technically last longer, but that's because they're made from materials that don't break down. They can also trap heat and moisture, which isn't ideal for everyday wear." She instead recommended opting for cotton underwear because the material offered breathability and longevity. Ultimately, it's helpful to know why your underwear might be bad for you — especially if you don't replace them as frequently as you should.