Underwear cannot be passed on
Short answer: Used underwear is not accepted anywhere, and it cannot be resold. It belongs in textile collection, where it becomes insulation or cleaning cloths. The only exception is unused underwear in its original, unopened packaging.
Why underwear is different
Most garments can pass on to a new owner without any trouble, but underwear is the exception. It is worn against the skin all day, and nobody can check afterwards how it was used. That is why it does not count as something you can give away, however clean it looks.
Hygiene is what decides it
There is no practical way to guarantee hygiene for the next wearer. Even a piece that has been washed hot and looks like new has still been close to someone else's body. This is why shops and collection points keep one clear and simple rule, and it is easy to explain to anyone.
Why collection points sort it out
People who receive donated clothes take out underwear as soon as they spot it. That creates extra work, and it never reaches a shelf anyway. If you hand in a mixed bag, put the underwear in its own bag so that it does not slow down the sorting of everything else.
The exception: unused and unopened
There is one exception. Underwear that is unused and still in its original, unopened packaging can be donated and sold on, because nobody has worn it. The tags must still be attached. Once the plastic has been torn open, the normal rule applies again. See bamboo pants for women.
A multipack in the wrong size
If you received a multipack in the wrong size, there is still a way out. As long as the pack is unopened, it can go to a friend, a colleague or a charity shop. Check the size before you open the packaging, so you are not left with something nobody else can use. See bamboo panties.
What to do with the rest
All other underwear goes into textile collection. There it becomes insulation or cleaning cloths, and that is the only route that makes sense. It is better than leaving it in a drawer for years, where it takes up space and is never worn again. Have a look at bamboo underwear for women when the drawer needs refilling.
How to pack it for drop off
Wash the underwear first and let it dry completely before it goes in the bag. Damp textiles can turn mouldy in the sack, and that spoils the clothes lying next to them. Use a bag that is tied shut, and write on it that it holds underwear and textiles that cannot be used again.
Sports bras and other items against the skin
The rule covers everything worn directly against the skin. That includes sports bras, swimwear and tights, and it applies equally to everyone. The question is always the same: has someone else worn it close to their body? If so, it belongs in textile collection and not in a bag for resale.
No drawer full of leftovers
Many people keep old underwear because throwing it out feels wasteful. Set a fixed time, for example twice a year, when you sort the drawer. Anything worn out or the wrong size goes straight into the bag for textile collection. That keeps the drawer useful, and you can see what you actually need.
Frequently asked questions
Can old underwear be used for anything
Cotton parts can be used as cloths if you cut them out and remove the elastic. The elastic itself cannot be used for anything and should be thrown away. The rest of the fabric is soft enough for dusting.
Does this apply to sports bras too
Yes, it applies to everything worn directly against the skin. Sports bras, swimwear and tights follow the same rule as ordinary underwear and belong in textile collection once they are worn out.
What about underwear that has never been worn
With the tags on and the packaging unopened, it can be passed on to someone else. If the packaging has been opened, the normal rule applies, and textile collection is the right place to hand it in.
See our range of Boody underwear.
