How often you need to buy new undies
Underwear should be thrown out every year for health reasons, according to the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Throwing out your underwear after a year reduces the risk of urinary tract and other infections.
The Sun has reported that underwear over a year old also allows bugs such as E. coli and dust mites to flourish which can lead to infection to thrush and allergies.
When washing your underwear, it is important to do so on the hot wash setting.
The Good Housekeeping Institute guide says that underwear contains up to 10,000 living bacteria, despite people washing their intimates after every use.
Leading UK cleaning company, Dr Beckmann, found up to one million bacteria in just two tablespoons of used washing machine water.
“Clean” underwear was found to be disturbingly dirty in the examination and up to 90 per cent of dirty tea towels contained E. coli bacteria.
A recent study in the UK found that one in four men wore underpants for two days before washing and women wore the same nightclothes for a fortnight.
“Pyjamas are worn right next to the skin and we shed skin cells, filled with microorganisms, at a vast rate,” the GHI said.
“It turns out there are quite a few washing avoiders out there. These dirty habits are helping bacteria thrive.
“We spend a third of our lives in bed so, although sheets don’t wear like clothing, you do need to wash them weekly. Night after night, germs, sweat and skin cells accumulate.”
The Good Housekeeping Institute also recommends cleaning your washing machine to ensure clothing has the best chance of being clean.
The experts suggest wiping out the detergent drawer on the washing machine to stop soap build-up and cleaning the drawer in hot, soapy water every few months.
They recommend running a monthly wash with hot water without any clothes to remove mould and bacteria from the machine.
You should also check and clean draining filters. To prevent a mould or bacteria build-up, you can also wipe the rubber seal with diluted bleach or vinegar.
Do you agree you should replace your undies with new ones every year? Tell us in the comments below.