Underwear Hygiene: Myth-Busting and FAQs
It sometimes can feel like we’re faced with a whole load of conflicting advice and fearmongering when it comes to underwear hygiene tips and vaginal health. At Y.O.U Underwear we want to debunk some myths and answer common questions about underwear hygiene to help provide some clarity and expertise. What is best practice for underwear hygiene? Forget any old wives' tales: fundamentally, it’s just about taking care of your body and the planet.
What underwear is best for hygiene?
As the most simple and gentle fabric to touch your skin, organic cotton underwear is the best for vaginal health. Cotton is breathable and naturally moisture wicking, whereas synthetic fabrics often offer less airflow, trapping moisture and heat which could increase the chances of infection. Our underwear uses only GOTS certified organic cotton, so you can be sure that there are no nasty chemicals anywhere near your skin, and sensitive intimate areas are only in contact with super-soft fibres.
MYTH: Thongs are unhygienic. FALSE
There is no reason why a well-fitting thong should pose any problems for your vaginal health. Maintain good personal hygiene and choose the right size thong, and go on about your day. There’s more to worry about than thongs!
MYTH: Darker coloured underwear is less hygienic. FALSE
In short, darker colours are NOT inherently less hygienic. This myth probably stems from concerns about toxic dyes and fabric quality. If it is something you’re concerned about, then it is worth looking into the dyeing processes behind your underwear. Many mass-produced undergarments are coloured with dyes containing chemical substances that can irritate the skin. Synthetic dyes also pose a massive environmental threat when they are released into water systems, contaminating clean water and damaging aquatic environments.
At Y.O.U Underwear, we use safe low-impact dyes which are GOTS certified and meet all of the EU criteria for eco-friendly garments, so all of our coloured underwear guarantees you comfort.
How often should you change your underwear?
Clickbait headlines will have you worrying that ‘you’re probably not changing your underwear often enough’, but there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to changing underwear, aside from starting each day with a fresh pair. How often to change your underwear depends completely on your lifestyle. Wearing the same pair for too long runs the risk of trapping sweat and bacteria, creating the conditions for irritation or infection, but popping on a new pair of pants every 24 hours avoids this. If you are exercising, or get unexpectedly wet, it’s good practice to have a fresh pair on hand to change into.
What is the best underwear for working out or exercise?
So it doesn’t hurt to change underwear after a particularly sweaty workout, but there is still a lot of noise about what is the ‘best’ underwear for exercise. Again, the answer is whatever you’re most comfortable in. Gynaecologist Dr Kiarra King advocates for the moisture-wicking, breathable features of cotton underwear.(1) As comfort is key, other things to consider are the fit of your underwear, and pants with smooth seams to reduce chafing and irritation. When it comes to style, anything goes!
How often should you replace your underwear?
MYTH: You should replace your underwear every 6 months FALSE
A TikTok video circulating in 2021 would have you believe that after half a year underwear becomes unhygienic. Again, there is no strict rule here either, and you definitely shouldn’t throw your entire underwear drawer out just because it’s hit the 6 month mark! This myth only encourages overconsumption, and experts say there is no truth to these claims. (2)
However, even the best underwear does eventually need replacing, but use your own judgement and look for these signs:
1. Stretched-out elastic that won’t stay in place.
2. Holes, thinning fabric, or stubborn stains.
3. Lingering odours that don’t wash out.
4. Discomfort or irritation you didn’t have before
5. Or simply that it doesn’t make you feel confident any more!
There are also many ways to make your underwear last longer, from washing with gentle, hypoallergenic soaps, to revival powders such as Save My Knickers. Extend underwear life by following the tips in our blog post about reviving your underwear!
When it is finally time to say goodbye to that favourite pair of pants, stop underwear ending up in landfill by clearing out your underwear drawer sustainably. Underwear can be repurposed as cleaning rags, or, depending on the cotton content, can be recycled! Drop off your clean underwear into our Oxford Shop, or post it directly to us. Underwear is one of the hardest garment categories to recycle, given the mixed fibre blends and integrated elastics, and we are still working on how to tackle this in the best way possible. Read more about our recycling successes and challenges here.
If you do decide it’s time for an underwear drawer refresh, why not treat yourself to a multipack of our organic cotton underwear, to replenish your collection with super-soft knickers made with sustainability and longevity in mind?
Should you wear underwear to bed?
This one is down to personal preference. While it's often recommended to go commando, wearing lightweight, loose-fitting underwear to sleep in is not going to cause you any problems. Undershorts can be a good alternative to wearing pants to bed, as well as cotton pyjama trousers.
SHOP COMFY ORGANIC COTTON PYJAMAS
All in all, underwear hygiene does not have to be complicated. Prioritise what is kind to your skin, maintain your usual personal hygiene, and use your own judgement when it comes to replacing underwear. You know yourself best!
For further related reading, check out these blogs!
The Best Underwear for Healthy Skin: Breathable, Gentle, and Sustainable
5 Simple Ways to Look after your Vaginal Health
How to Make Your Underwear Last Longer
Sources:
(1) 10 Best Underwear For Working Out, According To Experts
(2) Do You Really Need To Throw Out Your Underwear After 6 Mo... | theSkimm
8 Underwear Tips for Vaginal Health - Healthline
Author: Evie Tucker, Comms and Retail Team, Y.O.U Underwear.
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