Underwear is obviously a personal matter. I mean, we all have our own preferences when it comes to what works for us. But I think I can speak for the majority of the female population when I say that none of us like wearing panties that cause lines and give us wedgies, nor do we enjoy it when our brand new underwear comes out of the washer all faded and shrunken.

While these are things that all women have experienced at some point in our lives, unless you know you’re making a mistake, how could you possibly fix it?

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So I figured you might appreciate a list of common mistakes that you’re probably making when it comes to the way you not only wear your underwear, but also how you go about buying a pair and the amount of care that you give it. Some of the items on the list were surprising to me as well and I hope you will learn as much as I did! 

You’re keeping them way past their expiration date:

Loose threads, little rips, and discoloration are all indicators that your panties are on their way out. Furthermore, if you notice a stubborn stain- and a not so pleasant odor- they definitely need to be replaced.  After using it for a while, thanks to the stretching of the fabric, your panties will not fit like they did when you first got the five years ago (I mean to exaggerate, but if you’re holding on to 5 year old underwear, please throw them away this instant) so instead of just telling yourself that nobody’s seeing you in them anyway, you should probably consider going underwear shopping.

You’re buying based on size, instead of the fit:

Underwear that’s too tight can cause really ugly lines, not to mention that dreaded muffin top, so next time you’re out shopping for panties, make sure you try them on instead of just assuming your size. We’d all like to fit into a small or a medium, but when it comes to underwear, comfort should definitely be on the top of your list. Besides, if you’re a certain size for a particular brand and style, chances are that it is not universal. Take your time, go into the fitting room and try on the size you’re looking at instead of simply picking it off the shelf. 

You haven’t tried seamless:

Thongs used to serve a purpose, and they will always be fondly remembered. Not for the wedgies that they inflicted of course, but the panty lines that they prevented. However, there’s a new player in the game; seamless underwear. And there’s really no reason to be forcing yourself into a wedgie when seamless panties work wonders at hiding those dreaded panty lines, and they’re crazy comfortable; personally, they were a game changer. 

Cotton is king:

Not only is cotton underwear the most comfortable, but since it’s a breathable fabric, it helps to keep you free of any excess moisture that could lead to infection. Ideally, all of your underwear should be cotton. If you can’t find the style that you’re looking for in cotton, at least try to ensure that the strip that covers the crotch is made of cotton. Your vaginas also need to be able to breathe ladies! 

You’ve been washing them wrong:

This is something that most women are guilty of. When you’re pressed for time, or you’re just too lazy, hand washing your underwear seems like the most annoying task. However, hand washing with gentle detergent and warm water is the best way to wash your panties as they are more delicate than your regular clothes. That being said, if you’re running late and absolutely need to use the washing machine, make sure you’re either using a lingerie bag or washing them separately. Furthermore, when using the washing machine, make sure you’re using the most delicate setting.