Keeping your underwear clean and hygienic is not only important for comfort, it also ensures you stay healthy down there. Dirty underwear can cause skin problems like acne and rashes. It also increases the risk of infections. 

Here’s a quick underwear cleaning guide for dudes, including how to ensure you don't damage your underwear in the washer or dryer. 

Wash Underwear After One Use 

Even if you’ve had a pair of boxers or briefs for just a couple of hours, they go into the laundry basket. And if you’ve had them the whole day, definitely wash them. 

Wearing dirty underwear comes with all sorts of risks. Even if the underwear looks clean, it contains bacteria, sweat, dirt, probably some fecal matter, dead skin cells and body oils. It’s not just a funky smell you need to be worried about; dirty underwear can cause acne breakouts, make you itchy and even lead to a yeast or bacterial infection. 

That said, there are circumstances where you might be forced to wear the same underwear a couple of days or more in a row. For instance in an emergency, when you are backpacking or when you are traveling and you are out of clean underwear. 

If you cannot rinse or hand wash underwear in the sink, at least hang it to air. This will reduce odor and bacteria. You can also sprinkle it with baking soda to kill bacteria. 

If you are going backpacking and want to pack light, consider getting the Hercleon Kribi underwear. It is antimicrobial and you can wear it a few times without worrying about smell or skin problems.   

Wash on a Gentle Cycle 

Don't just throw your underwear in the washer along with the rest of your laundry. Underwear is made with softer and more delicate fabric. Even if it is 100% cotton, it’s more delicate compared to the rest of your cotton clothes. 

Wash underwear on its own on a gentle or delicate cycle. That means cold water and a low spin speed. 

For even more delicate fabrics like silk or wool, consider handwashing.  

Use Mild Detergent and No Bleach 

Always use mild detergent when washing underwear to protect the fabric from wear and tear. Do not use any kind of bleach, especially chlorine bleach even on white underwear. 

If you have to use bleach to remove tough stains or sterilize underwear, only use oxygen bleach. It is safer for fabrics. 

For silk and wool underwear, no bleach is safe to use. 

Skip the Softener, Too

I know adding a bit of fabric softener gives underwear a nice fresh smell. But you are better off skipping the softener. Here’s why. 

• Fabric softener can create a coat over underwear, which makes it harder for water and detergent to penetrate into the fibers. This makes your underwear less clean even after washing. 
• The same softener coating also traps odor-causing bacteria. So underneath that nice softener smell, your underwear might still have a funky or sweaty odor. 
• Fabric softener can also clog your washer, making it less effective at cleaning laundry. 
• Fabric softener can cause skin irritation especially for people with sensitive skin.

Instead of fabric softener, add white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment. It softeners clothes while also getting rid of odors. 

Air Dry or Dry on Low

If possible, avoid putting your underwear in the dryer. The heat can damage the delicate fabric and degrade the elastic. Air dry underwear outside or on a drying rack. 

If you have to dry your underwear in the dryer, do it on low and remove it immediately it’s dry. For delicate underwear like silk, you should only air dry. 

Additional Tips

• If you plan to shower at the gym, pack clean underwear to change into. Don't put your sweaty underwear back on after the shower. It can easily cause acne and other issues.
• Maintain good hygiene in your underwear area such as taking a couple showers daily and wiping well (a bidet is even better). This will help keep your underwear clean during the day. 
• Buy good quality underwear that is breathable and wicks away sweat. It’s much easier to keep quality underwear clean and hygienic.