How to wash underwear

Making sure your undies are clean is important for your personal hygiene. Different rules for different fabrics can make it confusing, though - it can be hard to know how to wash underwear properly. Should you wash your smalls on their own, or with the rest of the laundry? Should you machine wash underwear at all? Should you wash men’s underwear the same as women’s underwear?   

To make it easier for you, we’ve answered a range of questions on the topic of washing undies. We've covered which methods are best to what temperature to use to what can go together in loads of washing. So keep reading to learn some tips, tricks, and techniques for washing your underwear. 

Should you handwash underwear?

Some people prefer to hand wash their smalls, and others prefer to put them in the washing machine. So what’s the right thing to do? Well, for most underwear, washing it in the machine is fine. However, some materials must be hand washed only. These include silk and lace for lingerie, but it's always best to check the garment care label if you're unsure.   

Hand washing underwear is easy, and it doesn’t have to be time consuming. Fill a washing bowl or sink with cool, soapy water. Specially-formulated detergents can be used for delicates, but regular detergent should be fine as well. Let your undies soak for a few minutes, then give them a good swish around in the water. You may also want to gently scrub the gusset. An old toothbrush or your fingertips would be ideal for this.   

Next, roll them up in a towel to dry off the excess moisture. Some detergents require rinsing, others don’t - check what the label says to be sure. Underwear can then be hung out or laid flat on a towel to dry, and that’s it. Hand washing can take as little as five minutes!

How to wash underwear in a washing machine

What temperature should you wash underwear at?

The truth is, the temperature you wash your underwear at is up to personal preference. A hotter wash can kill off more germs than a colder one - but most detergents do this as well, so the extra heat may not be needed. Often our clothes just need cleaning, rather than sterilising completely. 

However, soiled underwear must be put through on a hot wash to make sure it's sterile. If in doubt, it's best to go with the temperature specified on your garment care label.

Should you wash underwear separately?

Well, it’s always an option, and if you’re hand washing your underwear, it may be best. After all, hand washing your smalls is one thing, but doing larger items as well could take a lot longer. If you’re washing your underwear in a machine, you may like to separate your underwear from the rest of your laundry and put it through on a delicate wash. However, you could also wash your underwear with everything else. Putting your underwear in a pillowcase or laundry bag will help to prevent damage and keep your undies in tip top condition.

Can you wash socks with underwear?