How to store underwear so it keeps its shape
Short answer: Underwear should lie loosely and not be squashed. Elastic that stays compressed for a long time keeps the shape of the pressure, and that changes how the briefs fit when you put them on again.
Lay loosely rather than cramming
An overfull drawer squeezes the elastic for months at a time. Lay your underwear in loose layers with some room between them instead. A half full drawer keeps underwear in better condition than a full one, and you find what you are looking for more easily too. See bamboo briefs.
Why pressure changes the fit
Elastic remembers the shape it has been lying in. If it has been pressed flat or folded for a long time, it takes a while to recover, and sometimes it never fully does. You feel it as a waistband that sits crooked or an edge that no longer lies flat. That is why storage matters more than many think.
Divide the drawer
A divider or a few small boxes between styles let you find the right pair without rummaging through the rest. When you do not have to dig, your underwear is not pushed and crumpled every morning either. It keeps things tidy and spares the elastic at the same time. See bamboo underwear for women.
Avoid tucking pairs into each other
Tucking one pair of briefs inside another stretches the waistband, because one has to hold the other. Lay them flat instead, or fold them once down the middle. The elastic then rests without tension until you wear them again, and the shape stays as it was after washing.
Roll or fold
Some prefer to roll their briefs loosely, others fold them. Both work, as long as the elastic is not stretched or pressed hard. Avoid rolling them tightly, since the waistband is then under constant tension. What matters most is that each pair lies on its own and is not squeezed by the others.
Make sure it is fully dry
Underwear folded while slightly damp smells after a week in the drawer. The moisture has nowhere to go, and it never feels quite fresh. Let your underwear dry completely on a line or on low heat before putting it away. See washing and care for more on drying.
Air in the drawer
A drawer that stays tightly closed for a long time can develop a stale smell. Open it now and then and let some air in. Avoid storing underwear in plastic bags or sealed containers for long periods, because they trap moisture. A drawer made of wood or fabric allows better air around your clothes.
Underwear you rarely wear
If you have underwear for special occasions or another season, keep it on top or separately, so it does not sit at the bottom under the weight of everything else. Take it out and shake it now and then. It is then ready when you need it, and the elastic has not been under pressure the whole time.
In short
Lay your underwear loosely in a drawer that is not filled to the brim. Divide the drawer, lay briefs flat instead of tucking them into each other, and make sure everything is fully dry. The elastic then keeps its shape, and your underwear fits as it should.
Frequently asked questions
Can storage damage underwear?
An overfull drawer compresses the elastic over time and changes the fit. Elastic remembers the shape it has been lying in, so loose layers are better than a packed drawer.
Should underwear be folded?
Lay it loosely flat or fold it once. Avoid tucking one piece inside another, because that stretches the waistband while the briefs sit in the drawer.
Why does underwear smell in the drawer?
Because it was folded while slightly damp, or because the drawer stays closed without air. Make sure everything is fully dry, and air the drawer now and then.
See our range of Boody underwear.
