Do You Really Need to Replace Your Underwear Every Six Months? Here’s the Truth
There is no medical rule that underwear expires in six months or that lace must be thrown out in three. Good washing, dryness and comfort matter more than the calendar.
The internet has been buzzing with warnings that underwear must be replaced every six months or you could get infections, fungi or even viruses. Some posts also claim that lace underwear should be thrown out after three months. These claims sound scary, especially when they appear online as “doctor-approved,” but the truth is much simpler.
There is no medical rule that says everyone must replace underwear every six months. Doctors do not give expiry dates for underwear. Still, there are real reasons why these rumours keep spreading. Underwear collects sweat, oils and small amounts of bacteria over time. But if you wash your underwear properly with detergent, dry it completely and change it daily, it is usually safe to use for much longer than six months.
Infections like UTIs or yeast infections are mostly caused by moisture, tight fits, irritation or poor hygiene. They do not automatically happen just because underwear is “old.”
Lace underwear is different because lace holds moisture more easily, tears fast and can irritate sensitive skin. This is why doctors suggest wearing lace occasionally instead of every day. But even lace does not “expire” in three months it only becomes less hygienic when it is damaged or damp.
What really matters is hygiene. Underwear that stays damp, does not wash well or becomes loose and worn can irritate the skin and create infection risk. Cotton is the safest choice because it breathes well. When underwear looks dull, stretched, smelly even after washing or uncomfortable, it is time to replace it.
Hygiene matters more than the calendar. Replace your underwear when it wears out, not because the internet says it expires.
