How to Make Your Underwear Last Longer

We get it, when you've invested in beautiful underwear and spent time choosing the right style for you, you want to make sure it lasts. High quality underwear that you love and keep on repeat can be a bit more expensive, but should also last longer than cheaper alternatives. There are many ways to help get the most out of your undies for as long as possible, so taking a few minutes to consider how you care for them can make a huge difference.

Here's our Y.O.U Underwear expert guide to ensuring you get as much life as possible out of your undies and keep your treasured pairs as bright and beautiful as possible! 

Also, these tips will help extend the life of any clothing, not just your undies! 

Choosing Perfectly

First of all, it's important to choose the correct underwear if you want to make it last. You might be tempted by pretty designs and beautiful colours, but make sure to check the fabric and quality before you invest. Choosing natural fibres like cotton is already a great place to start for making them last. Synthetic fibres are often lower quality and can fade or bobble quickly, leaving your shiny new undies looking a little lack lustre. Higher quality is likely to mean a higher price point but consider it an investment if you can get good use out of them for years to come.

Secondly, make sure you choose the right size and style for you. Take some time to try on different options so you know you'll feel comfortable wearing them all day long. Ensuring you've picked the right size is also crucial as underwear which is slightly too small is likely to stretch out or rip and underwear that's too large might end up going baggy and losing shape over time.

Laundry

The next, and probably most crucial, element to be careful of is your underwear's laundry routine. Taking some time to consider how you wash your undies is going to make a big difference long term, helping to keep your styles in shape and keep colours bright.

🌿 Wash on a cool wash - wash your underwear between 30 - 40°C, there's no need to wash hotter unless you are struggling with infections.

🌿 Use gentle cycles and wash your undies separate to chunky items like jeans or items with lots of zips and buttons which can add stress to more delicate fabrics in the machine. 

🌿 Wash inside out - turn your laundry inside out to ensure the best clean, allowing dirt close to the skin to be thoroughly lifted away.

🌿 Consider using a delicates laundry bag inside the machine to further protect your delicates.

🌿 Avoid using heavy detergents - choosing gentle options for your detergent can help improve your underwear's life cycle by being less harsh on the fibres. Stay away from the bleach! try Save My Knickers for a gentle alternative to combat stains like blood or discharge.  

🌿 Air Dry - skip the tumble dryer and dry your undies on the line or hanging up indoors. Try to avoid drying in direct sunlight as this is likely to fade colours, although sunlight can be a useful brightener for white underwear.

🌿 No Ironing - avoid using an iron or steaming your underwear as these processes can be harsh on the fabrics and degrade the elastic. If you're really concerned about making them neat, dry on a flat surface for a wrinkle-free solution.

🌿 Wash bras less often - your bras don't need to be washed as often as the rest of your underwear, so try washing once a week instead and help preserve them for longer. You can also hand-wash bras gently in warm, soapy water and dry them flat to help them keep their shape over time.

Repairs

You can extend the lifespan of your underwear a long way by making minor repairs using a basic sewing kit. If you need some tips, try searching for videos on YouTube on how to do basic mending. Just a few simple stitches can make your undies good as new and help them stay in place for many more wears. It's also a good idea to give items a quick check over as you take them out of the washing machine so you can catch tears and rips quickly before they become bigger.

These are some of our top tips for getting the most out of your treasured underwear and keeping your favourite pairs for as long as possible. Make sure to leave a comment below if you have any of your own tried and tested methods to increase the lifespan of your undies!

Take a look at some of our other blogs for more sustainable living tips:

Choosing the Best Underwear for Your Skin

Learning the Art of Visible Mending with Rosie Leech

Read the Story Behind our Recycled Mailing Bag Jewellery

Images courtesy of Y.O.U Underwear & Canva