How often do you throw away and replace your underwear?
According to a viral TikTok, it’s every six to nine months. User @kittychemist posted a video earlier this month advising women to toss their undies that often because “not all bacteria, pathogens and fibers can be removed during washing.”
In a follow-up TikTok, she explains that used to get recurring infections and couldn’t figure out why, but her OB-GYN told her that after years and years of wearing certain fabrics, the material probably won’t “be completely free and clear of bacteria” that can cause an infection - even after washing. This news was mind-blowing for many TikTokers and they reveal in their own videos that they keep their undies in rotation for years - like five, 10 or longer - before throwing them out. One even joked, “I pretty much wear them until they disintegrate.”
So lots of ladies are now confused about how often we should actually swap out our underwear, but what do the OB-GYNs say? None of the doctors interviewed have ever heard of this supposed six to nine month rule and OB-GYNs including Dr. Christine Greves and women’s health expert Dr. Jennifer Widner say washing them in hot water should kill any lingering bacteria and keeping them longer than six months won’t automatically lead to infections or health issues. As long as your undies are clean, they say you can keep them as long as you want.
HT: Shape Magazine