How Often Do You Wash Your Undies? 

By Titilayo Kupoliyi

Underwear, underclothing or undergarments are items of clothing worn beneath outer clothes, usually in direct contact with the skin, although they may comprise more than a single layer.

They serve to keep outer clothing from being soiled or damaged by bodily excretions, to lessen the friction of outerwear against the skin, to shape the body, and to provide concealment or support for parts of it.

In cold weather season, long underwear is sometimes worn to provide additional warmth. Special types of undergarments have religious significance. Some items of clothing are designed as undergarments, while others, such as T-shirts and certain types of shorts, are appropriate both as underwear and outerwear.

If made of suitable material or textile, some underwear can serve as nightwear or swimwear, and some undergarments are intended for sexual attraction or visual appeal.

Undergarments are generally of two types, those that are worn to cover the torso and those that are worn to cover the waist and legs, although there are also underclothes which cover both. Different styles of underwear are generally worn by females and males.

Undergarments commonly worn by females today include bras and panties while males often wear classic briefs, boxer briefs, or boxer shorts. Items worn by both sexes include T-shirts, sleeveless shirts (also called singlets, tank tops, A-shirts, or vests), bikini underpants, thongs, G-strings and T-fronts.

Oftentimes, people tend to pay little or no attention to washing their underwear for reasons which might not be unconnected with the fact that they are worn underneath another fabric, hence less attention is paid to them.

Findings reveal that some people use undergarments for weeks without washing.

However, more attention ought to be paid to the cleaning of underwear as it is worn closer to the skin which might cause skin infection, if not properly cleansed.

Dirty underwear can cause pubic lice, acne, stains, itching, sores, skin diseases like rashes, eczema and body odour.

It is imperative to take the washing of underwear very seriously to prevent skin diseases and to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Underwear should be washed after every use to eliminate dirt which must have accumulated as a result of sweat from daily activities.

Culled

 Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group