Why Fresh Underwear Matters

And what most women don’t know about the health impact of holding onto old pairs.

Still wearing underwear from three years ago?

You wouldn’t be the only one. Many of us keep wearing the same underwear for years — only tossing them when they’re visibly worn out. A loose waistband here, a thinning seam there. But when it comes to our health, the signs of wear show up much earlier.

Most of us only throw out underwear when it’s visibly falling apart — but bacteria, stretch, and wear show up long before the holes do.

What many women don’t realize is that underwear plays a bigger role in vaginal health than we’ve been told. Our bodies go through constant shifts — changes in discharge, moisture, and sensitivity that cycle with us every month. And yet, our underwear drawer often stays unchanged for far too long.

What washing doesn’t remove

Even after washing, bacteria and fungi can remain embedded in fabric — especially in the gusset (the cotton lining). Studies in Europe show that standard domestic wash cycles under 40 °C don’t eliminate all microbes.¹ And most of us aren’t washing underwear at the 60 °C recommended by Swedish hygiene guides.²

One EU-based study found up to 780 CFU of fungi and pathogens like Candida parapsilosis on underwear — after just 12 hours of wear.³ Even with regular washing, these microbes can accumulate over time and contribute to:

• Yeast infections
• Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
• Skin irritation or discomfort
  

And if you’re re-wearing underwear that’s more than a year old, chances are it’s lost much of its elasticity and breathability — both key for staying dry and comfortable throughout the day.

How often should you replace underwear?

Experts generally recommend replacing underwear every 6–12 months, or after about 50 washes.⁴ It’s not just about hygiene — it’s about fit, function, and how the fabric supports your body.

Unfortunately, this isn’t something most women are taught. It’s rarely talked about. And it’s easy to forget.

 

That’s where Lajendo comes in

I created Lajendo to make this part of wellness feel simple, consistent, and even a little fun. We offer high-quality underwear on subscription — delivered monthly or quarterly — so you never have to second guess when it’s time to refresh.

Because female wellness should feel effortless. And your first layer deserves just as much care as the rest of your routine.

 

Ready to make the switch?

Our subscription is designed to support your rhythm — not fight it. No more holding onto old pairs. No more guessing. Just a soft, supportive reminder to care for yourself regularly.

Because fresh underwear isn’t just a nice-to-have.
It’s self-care — in its most everyday form.

 

 

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📝 Sources:

¹ Quantifying pathogen infection risks from household laundry practices — EU/PMC

² Västerbottenssåpa, Swedish hygiene recommendations (2025)

³ MDPI study: Fungi and bacteria detected on underwear after 12 hours of wear

⁴ Bluebuck & textile expert guidelines: Replace underwear every 6–12 months or ~50 washes