How Should You Wash Underwear?

Cooler water, gentle detergent, low or no heat drying — here's how to make underwear last.
By Better Human Goods
1 min read

Washing underwear in cooler water, with a gentle detergent, and air-drying is the gentlest approach and helps it last. Hot water and high-heat drying are the main things that break down elastic and fabric over time, so cooler washes and lower-heat (or air) drying preserve stretch and shape. Turning the dryer down — or skipping it for air-drying — noticeably extends underwear life.

A few practical tips: use a mild detergent and skip fabric softener (which can coat fabric and reduce breathability), wash with similar colors, and consider a mesh laundry bag for delicate or seamless pieces to protect them in the machine. Make sure they're fully dry before storing. Gentle care plus rotating enough pairs so each rests between wears keeps them comfortable longer. More in softening laundry naturally.

Try BHG everyday basics.