How many pairs of knickers you should have
Short answer: Ten to fourteen pairs let you wash once a week without running out. With fewer, you wash more often, and each pair wears out faster.
A week between washes
With fourteen pairs you could in principle wash every other week if you change once a day. With ten pairs you can wash weekly and still have some leeway if a wash is delayed. The number depends on how often you wash and whether you sometimes change more than once a day.
Fewer pairs wear out faster
With only five pairs, each pair is worn twice as often and washed twice as many times as with ten. It is washing and wear that break down the elastic and fabric, so the same knickers last a shorter time. More pairs in rotation spread the wear, and each pair lasts longer.
Buy several of the same
If every pair is the same model and colour, daily life gets easier. You do not have to hunt for the right pair in the drawer, and when they are worn you can replace the whole drawer at once. It also gives a clearer view of when they need replacing. See bamboo knickers.
Multipacks
Packs with several identical pairs almost always give a lower price per pair than single pairs. That works well if you want to reach ten or fourteen pairs without buying them one at a time. Choose one model you know fits before buying many of it. Read more about bamboo knickers in multipacks.
When to replace them
Knickers should be replaced when the elastic is slack or the fabric has become thin or has holes. That happens sooner the fewer pairs you own. Go through the drawer a couple of times a year and remove the pairs that no longer fit properly. Read more in how often should knickers be replaced.
When you change more often
In hot spells, during exercise or on long days, many people change more than once a day. Pairs then run out faster, and ten pairs may only last five days. If you train several times a week, it may be worth adding a few extra pairs to the fourteen.
Travel and holidays
When travelling it is often harder to wash, so you need a pair for each day away plus a few extra. On longer trips you can wash a pair in the sink along the way, because thin knickers dry fairly quickly. It is better to pack one pair too many than one too few.
See the range
If you want to see knickers alongside bras and other underwear in the same material, they are gathered in one place. There you can choose models that suit your day and build a drawer that lasts a full week between washes. See the full group in bamboo underwear for women.
Washing
Wash knickers at 40 degrees without fabric softener and without the tumble dryer. Dryer heat quickly wears out the elastic, and softener leaves a film on the fabric. Air drying takes a little longer but noticeably extends their life, which is another reason to have enough pairs in rotation. See washing guide.
A number to aim for
Ten to fourteen pairs is a good starting point for most people who wash once a week. If you wash more often, you can manage with fewer, but each pair will then wear out faster. Start with the number that suits your washing routine and add more when the first pairs start to wear.
Frequently asked questions
How many pairs are enough?
Ten to fourteen pairs if you want to wash once a week. With fourteen you have leeway for days when you change more than once or when the wash gets postponed.
Do fewer pairs wear out faster?
Yes. With fewer pairs, each one is worn and washed correspondingly more often. It is wear and washing that break down elastic and fabric, so they last a shorter time.
Are multipacks cheaper?
Per pair almost always. A pack with several identical pairs gives a lower price per pair than single pairs, and it makes it easier to reach ten or fourteen.
See our range of bamboo panties.
