Underwear gets washed more than any other clothing category and gets the least care. The cumulative cost of replacing knickers, bras, and tights every six months is bigger than most realised — and avoidable.
What kills underwear fastest
Hot wash + tumble dry
Elastic loses its memory at 40°C+. Tumble dryer heat finishes the job.
Front-loading wash with everything else
Friction from heavy items (jeans, towels) tears delicate fabrics.
Fabric softener
Coats fibres, reduces absorbency, weakens elastic over time. Skip entirely on underwear.
Twisting wet to wring out
Stretches and breaks fibres. Press gently in a towel instead.
The simple care upgrade
Cold wash (30°C max), in a mesh laundry bag (saves bra clasps from snagging), with non-bio detergent only. Air dry on a flat rack or over a radiator (not direct heat). Iron only if needed — most underwear doesn't need it.
Bras specifically: rotate three or four daily so each gets a 'rest day' to recover elasticity. Wash every 3-4 wears, not after every wear. Replace when the band gives out (the band is what supports — when it stretches, support is gone, regardless of cup condition).
Tights: the surprisingly easy fix
Hand-wash sheer tights, even if the label says machine-wash — the friction from a machine cycle is what causes ladders. Two minutes in lukewarm soapy water, gentle squeeze, air dry. A pair lasts months instead of weeks.
Buy two of any pair you like. Once you find a colour and denier (size and weight) that works, the same product often reformulates within a year — stock up.
Where to spend, where to save
Bras
Spend up. Marks & Spencer (Rosie collection, Boutique line), Bravissimo, or fitted specialist for £30-60. Cheap bras lose support fast and worsen back/shoulder ache.
Knickers
Save. Uniqlo, M&S 5-packs, or even Asda's George do the job well at low cost. Skip 'designer' knickers; the upcharge is fashion, not function.
Tights and shapewear
Mid-range. Wolford or Falke for tights worth caring for; Spanx for shapewear when needed.
Underwear care is the laundry habit that pays back fastest. Five minutes more attention per wash extends lifespan by 50-100%, which over a year saves more than most beauty product budgets.