Be honest. Somewhere in your drawer right now, there's a pair you bought in another era. The elastic's given up, the colour's a mystery, and yet… they survive every clean-out.

We're not doctors — we just make great undies. So we asked the people who are, and it turns out your drawer might be overdue for a chat.

Your "clean" undies aren't as clean as you think

Research by microbiologist Dr. Charles Gerba from the University of Arizona found that the average pair of freshly washed underwear still carries around 0.1 grams of fecal matter. Yes — washed. Regular warm cycles don't kill everything, and the older and more broken-down the fabric, the more it holds onto.

Bacteria love a worn-out pair

"Dirty or used underwear provide a breeding ground for bacteria, yeast and fungi," says Dr. Sherry Ross, OB-GYN and author of She-ology. As fibres wear down over years of washing, they trap sweat, oil and bacteria closer to your skin.

Your skin notices, too. "When sweat or oil sits on the skin for too long, it can lead to bad odor or clogged pores, leading to breakouts," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick. Fresh, breathable fabric in good condition is your best defence — it's exactly why we make our undies from Lenzing Modal and Tencel.

Elastic doesn't live forever

Every wash stretches those fibres a little more. Once the waistband stops snapping back and the fabric thins out, your undies can't do their job: wick moisture, breathe, and keep everything comfortable down there. That's not "worn in" — that's worn out.

The 5-minute drawer audit

There's no magic expiry date on underwear — but there is a point where a pair has done its dash. Pull out your drawer and retire anything that:

• Has a waistband that's lost its will to live
• Is stretched, pilled, thinning or mysteriously discoloured
• Has holes you keep pretending not to notice
• You actively avoid wearing (you know the ones)
• You genuinely cannot remember buying

Whatever survives the cull earns its place. Whatever doesn't? Thank it for its service and let it go.

The refresh, sorted

The easiest way to keep your rotation fresh: a weekly set. Seven fresh pairs means every day of the week is covered — and you won't be doing this audit again for a long time.

Shop our Weekly Sets — Cheeky G, ChiChi or Callie, in colours you'll actually want to wear.