How Often Should You Buy New Underwear?

Let’s be honest, we all have that one favourite pair of old undies that’s seen better days. You see it discolouring, its waistband's getting looser with each wear, and fraying in all (the wrong) places.

Yet… you can’t replace it.

It’s comfortable. It’s your favourite pair. It's been there for you. But here's a friendly but firm advice: you need to throw out those old knickers. We know it's not something you want to hear, but every faithful pair of undies deserves retirement.

Wearing old, stretched, worn-out underwear can affect your comfort and hygiene. Old fabrics lose their ability to wick moisture, leading to more sweat, bacteria, and possible diseases like urinary tract infection and yeast infection. Fresh underwear gives you better comfort, keeps you healthy down below, and puts an end to awkward odours.

So, how often should you buy new underwear? Whether you’re team boxers, briefs, or women’s undies, here’s your ultimate guide to keeping your drawer fresh, your genital area happy, and your confidence fresh.

The Undie Rule: Replace Old Underwear Every 6 to 12 Months

Three pairs of cotton women's briefs—beige, light gray, and dark gray—hanging on a clothesline with clothespins in a sunny, green backyard.

The general rule for undies is this: replace underwear every 6 to 12 months.

We recommend saying goodbye and starting with fresh ones every once or twice a year. It's about this time when the underwear fabric starts to show its wear and tear (particularly with well-loved pairs).

In saying that, the rule isn't a hard one. How often you buy new underwear depends on how often you wear it, how well you wash it, and how active your lifestyle is.

If you’ve got pairs that only come out for special occasions (those fancy date-night undies), they’ll last longer. But if you’ve got comfy sleeping ones that see nightly action, those need replacing every 3–4 months.

The Signs It’s Time to Break Up (With Your Pair of Underwear)

Worn and ripped dark red underwear with a heart-shaped hole, symbolizing a broken or failing relationship.

Here are the tell-tale signs that the same pair you've been wearing is officially past its prime:

Holes: If your underwear is starting to show holes, yes even small ones.
Stretched waistband: When it’s no longer snapping but sagging.
Discolouration or stains: If they show obvious and stubborn stains or have lost their new colour.
Persistent odour: If they are starting to smell (at this point, why would you keep them?)
No more comfort: When your underwear no longer feels soft or supportive.

We know no one likes to think about replacing their old underwear, but trust us when we say - this is one breakup you'll want to happen.

How Washing and Care Can Change Your Undies' Lifespan

View from inside a washing machine of a bearded man reaching in to place or remove a load of blue and dark laundry.

Here's some news for you: how you wash and care for your underwear can extend its shelf life. Hot water, harsh detergents, and tumble dryers will weaken the elastic waistband, discolour it quickly, and stretch out its fabric.

To keep your favourite pair of underwear lasting longer, here's what you can do:

Wash in warm or cold water, not hot.
Use a gentle detergent and a lingerie bag for added protection
Avoid fabric softeners, as these can stretch out fibres.
Air dry when possible

How Often Should You Replace Your Underwear

New pair of vibrant green men's underwear on a yellow background, illustrating the concept of replacing old underwear.

For Men:

If your boxers or briefs are your daily go-to, consider getting new pairs every 6–9 months. If you're regularly washing the same pair you love wearing to the gym? Then even sooner. Sweat and friction can wear down those underwear fabrics faster than you think.

For Women:

Delicate fabrics like lace, microfibre, or silky blends are pretty but also fragile, so replace them every 6 months or so. Cotton or micropolyester blends that aren't worn frequently can last up to a year with proper care.

Other Factors That Affect How Often You Replace Underwear

Here are other telltale signs to help you gauge when it's time to change your old knickers out:

How many pairs do you own? If you’ve got 20 pairs on rotation in your underwear drawer, they’ll last longer. If you’ve got 5 and wear them on repeat, replace them early.
Lifestyle: Sweat a lot? Exercise often? Live in a humid climate? Replace more frequently.
Fabric quality: High-quality fabrics like bamboo last longer.
Hygiene: Even with great washing habits (i.e. hand washing over machine washing), old underwear can trap bacteria over time.

How to Build a Healthy Underwear Rotation

A group of men of different body types and ethnicities modeling men's underwear, illustrating healthy wardrobe choices.

Here are our recommendations on how your underwear wardrobe and wear should look:

Own at least 10–14 pairs. This gives you plenty to rotate through without using the same ones constantly.
Retire 2–3 pairs every few months. That way, you can keep your pairs fresh without needing to replace them as frequently.
Store them properly. Keep them in a dry drawer and avoid folding them when damp (this keeps away the wet smells).
Match your underwear to your activity. Sweat-wicking fabrics for workouts, cotton for everyday wear, and soft blends for lounging. Or for something truly versatile, consider micropolyester underwear with bamboo lining.

Say Goodbye, and Hello

While saying goodbye to your old pair of undies isn't ideal, there's also no better feeling than putting on new, comfortable knickers. You'll feel good, it'll look great, and you can take on the day.

So replace your underwear. Toss the tired pairs, say thank you for their service, and make room for something new. And if you're looking for new undies that are ethically manufactured and certified comfy, refresh your drawer today with SWAG’s men’s underwear and women’s underwear.