It might seem like a fundamental hygiene habit, yet many people quietly neglect changing their underwear every day. Health experts now caution that wearing the same pair for too long isn’t just unhygienic—what builds up can pose genuine health risks, making daily changes essential.

As disturbing as it may be, a 2021 study revealed that the average pair of underwear contains about 0.1 grams of fecal matter. With that in mind, wearing underwear for more than a day is not merely uncomfortable or unclean—it may have real health implications, according to medical professionals.

Dirty drawers

Despite well-established hygiene recommendations, a significant number of young adults aren’t changing their underwear daily. A 2023 Newsweek poll found that 36% of Gen Z respondents aged 18 to 24 said they wear the same pair for longer than 24 hours, while another 14% admitted this is a regular habit. In total, half of Gen Z reported going a full day or more without switching to clean underwear.

This practice isn’t confined to the youngest generation. The survey also showed that 24% of millennials, ages 25 to 34, said they routinely wear the same pair of underwear more than once.

In contrast, older adults reported significantly cleaner habits. Among people aged 55 to 64, 67% said they never wear underwear for more than one day, and only 3% admitted to repeating pairs.