Doctors say that washing doesn’t get rid of the bacteria, virus and fungal pathogens lurking in the material. It’s a horrifying thought given I’ve got pants dating back to 1995 Every few months, the world informs me I am disgusting in a new way (I should replace my pillows every two years ; my toothbrush is a petri dish , etc). But surely the revelation in the Financial Times that we should be changing our underwear every six months doesn’t come as a shock only to me? To clarify swiftly, that’s “change” as in throw away and replace. “Doctors generally recommend replacing underwear every six to nine months,” the article explains. “Because, quite simply, washing doesn’t remove everything.” This, it turns out, is not new information: most advice on the internet suggests six to 12 months as the appropriate lifespan for pants. Alternatively, in 2021, a consultant gynaecologist suggested another approach to the Independent : “I would say a maximum of 50 washes for a pair of cotton M&S underwear would be fine.” Continue reading...