2024-01-29 22:38:19
Whether briefs, hipster panties or French knickers: Of course you change your underwear every day to avoid unpleasant odors and infections. But how long do you keep your underpants before throwing them away? Probably too long. Here come the hard facts.
How often does underwear need to be replaced?
They are our loyal companions every day: underpants. We all have our favorite models that guarantee a comfortable fit and pleasant material. Most of the time, underpants are only replaced when the material wears off, they get out of shape or they simply fall apart. And although most people change their underwear every day, many models get a little old by the time we finally throw them away.
How clean is underwear really following washing?
Even if you put your panties in the wash following wearing them for just one day, bacteria will still remain in the fabric. More precisely, these are the coliform bacteria “Escherichia coli”. They are part of our intestinal flora and are partly responsible for the decomposition of carbohydrates and proteins.
Good to know: A microbiological study by Dr. According to Charles Gerba, up to 0.1 grams of feces can be found in washed underpants – and theoretically also E. coli bacteria. But no one needs to worry regarding this tiny amount.
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Can old underwear endanger your health?
Even freshly washed, clean underwear usually contains around 0.1 grams of feces – this is proven by various studies. It is therefore recommended that you throw away your underwear and replace it with new ones every six to twelve months. Problem: The bad bacteria can quickly lead to infections, especially in open wounds. However, if you don’t have any discomfort in your intimate area, you can wear your underwear for longer. But: All underpants have an expiration date.
When do underpants have to be thrown away?
Replacing underwear relatively frequently is not particularly sustainable and can also cause costs – women’s underwear in particular often costs a lot of money. But experts give the all-clear: If you don’t have any health problems, you don’t necessarily need to throw away your underwear following six to twelve months. So you can wear your favorite briefs as long as you think it’s appropriate – provided you take care of the textiles properly.
How is underwear washed correctly?
In order to wash more sustainably and save energy, it is recommended to wash underwear at low temperatures and as little water as possible. That’s why it’s usually enough to wash underwear at 30 degrees with a good colored detergent to get it clean. However, you should know that the low temperatures are not optimal for hygiene. The laundry is only washed properly hygienically when the temperatures are around 60 degrees and it is washed with a heavy-duty detergent. Otherwise, a certain amount of bacteria will always remain on the laundry – no matter what clothing is washed. Do you have white underwear? With our household tips for white laundry, it is guaranteed not to turn yellow. If the fabric cannot tolerate high temperatures or the powder cannot be used (very important: check the washing symbols beforehand), you should use a hygiene detergent. This kills the viruses and fungi and the clothes can be safely put back in the closet following drying.
Good to know: In the case of contagious diseases such as fungal infections, athlete’s foot or norovirus, underwear and all other items of clothing worn must be washed separately at 60 degrees using heavy-duty detergent. Please also think regarding your nightwear. Here we reveal how often you should really wash bed linen to keep it clean. Also: What simple tricks you can use to clean your mattress and even remove urine or blood stains.
Does underwear need to be washed following purchase?
Unfortunately, newly purchased underwear is not free from germs and bacteria. That’s why you should always wash them before wearing them for the first time to be on the safe side. Whether underpants or bras: lingerie is often tried on in stores and has already passed through numerous hands. To make sure that it is really hygienically clean, you should put it in the washing drum first.
Also clean the washing machine regularly
To prevent bacteria and germs in the washing machine, you should wash the machine regularly with cycles above 60 degrees and with heavy-duty powder detergent. Alternatively, run the machine empty and run it through with heavy-duty detergent. The reason: Heavy-duty detergent contains bleach, which contains compounds that release oxygen. This in turn has a strong antimicrobial effect. In contrast, liquid detergent contains no bleach, including color detergent. Also important: After washing, let the porthole and the dispenser compartment dry open. We have collected even more good tips for cleaning the washing machine for you here.
Also interesting: Here we reveal tricks on how you can dry your laundry quickly and properly indoors.
This is how discarded underwear becomes useful
If the underwear has had its day, it doesn’t necessarily have to end up in the trash. Old briefs and boxer shorts can still be used as rags for a while. They are often perfect for cleaning your bike or shoes or giving chrome a new shine with a polish.
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