9 Life-Changing Ways to Save Money on Undergarments

Undergarments are usually considered a necessity, so the need for saving money on them is fairly obvious. Here are 9 ways to think outside the box and stretch your undergarment dollars further.

Store your undergarments well

Store your undergarments in a clean drawer safe from your households elements where they can’t get ripped or torn to help them last longer. Don't let your undergarments stay in the laundry basket a few days or on the floor. This is vital if you have a sock-snatching dog like one of my relatives does.

Buy enough to be able to rotate

When you find pairs that you really like, be sure to buy a few up-front so they all last longer, instead of having to get a new pair every couple of months from wearing them and washing them too often.

Find well-fitting pairs of undergarments

Undergarments that are too large are so annoying when it keeps slipping down, not to mention it can make your clothes hang oddly on your body. On the other hand, if they are even just a bit too small, you can quickly stretch them out or tear them into being unusable.

Pay for or make higher quality undergarments

It's not talked about much, but the elastic in undergarments is plastic. So, at the end of its life, your undergarments will leave you with a real problem to dispose of in the trash. For me, this just won't work. Kids stretch out elastic too soon and too often.

You can make your own kid's undergarments from scraps or old T-Shirts with this free pattern for girls or this one for boys.  Just add a drawstring to the waistband, instead of elastic. This will extend the life of the pair and give you the option to hand them down from one child to another.

It turns out there is a company that makes elastic free undergarments for adults. Not only elastic-free but also sweatshop free, organic, affordable (about the same price as average nice quality ladies' undergarments) and all-natural.

My ladies' undergarments were several years old and starting to wear out, so I ordered Rawganique's elastic-free ladies' undergarments. They are much more comfortable than my old brand name ones.

Reduce wear and tear on Undergarments

 

• You can reduce wear and tear on socks by wearing them only when you need to. This can mean wearing slippers instead and going barefoot whenever you can. You'll wear through slippers much slower than you will wear through socks, saving you money on replacing socks as often.


• You can reduce wear and tear by wearing ladies' undergarments less. Ladies' undergarments do nothing for your bust. A study, which tracked women over a 15-year-period, found that ladies' undergarments don’t actually do anything to improve the overall health or appearance of your bust.


• Going without ladies' undergarments improves circulation. It’s kind of a no-brainer that when you remove your ladies' undergarments — and thereby remove the constricting band encircling your bust — your circulation will improve.


• It just feels better. Why not enjoy that end-of-the-day comfort all day long by skipping the ladies' undergarments, for one day? Going without ladies' undergarments gives you a chance to check things out. This helps you identify any abnormalities in a way that you would not if your bust is covered in fabric.

Washing Ladies' Undergarments Correctly

Laundering your undergarments correctly can definitely help them last longer by reducing friction. Washing by hand saves you money on electricity/gas, reduces laundry detergent use, and uses less water.

1. Wash after 2-4 wearings, but only if it needs it. Fill the sink or another basin with lukewarm water (or the temperature indicated on the fabric care label).


2. Add a small amount of mild soap/detergent into the water. (Castile soap, soapwort, or horse chestnuts)


3. Fasten all closures; turn the item inside out. Immerse it in the sudsy water. Let soak for five minutes.


4. Carefully knead the garment while immersed. Soak another few minutes.


5. Drain the soapy water and refill the basin with clean water, kneading the fabric again. Repeat this step until no soap remains in the fabric.


6. Drain the basin again and gently press any excess water from the fabric. Do not wring the material.


7. Lay the item flat on a dry towel, then roll the two together, squeezing the towel gently.


8. Spread the fabric out flat on a second towel and allow it to air dry.

Wash Your Regular undergarments Correctly

• You can go crazy and launder your regular undergarments after two wears, instead of one. Re-use them by turning them inside out, then back to front saving on wasted washing powder and water. You can also go bold and skip undergarments altogether, weather permitting? Going commando will further cut your weekly wash load.


• When you do wash them-

1. Pretreat all stains. Fill the sink or another basin with lukewarm water (or the temperature indicated on the fabric care label). Add 3 tablespoons of washing soda and 3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, as a cheaper OxiClean alternative.


2. Immerse undergarments in the water. Let soak for 20 minutes.


3. Add a small amount of mild soap/detergent into the water. (Castile soap, soapwort, or horse chestnuts).


4. Turn bright colors inside out and add a pinch of salt to your wash cycles to keep colors from fading. Let soak for five minutes.


5. Carefully knead the garment while immersed. Soak another few minutes.
   Drain the soapy water and refill the basin with clean water, kneading the fabric again. Repeat this step until no soap remains in the fabric.


6. Drain the basin again and gently press any excess water from the fabric. Do not wring the material.


7. Lay the item flat on a dry towel, then roll the two together, squeezing the towel gently. Hang up to air dry.

Keep your undergarments in good repair

Take care of your clothing. Be sure to check your undergarments and socks after every wash/air dry for any spots that are wearing thin or need any other repairs. Immediately add them to your repair pile and take the time to darn wool socks, darn cotton socks, and repair undergarments.

How to Retire Worn Out Undergarments

After you've repaired ladies' undergarments until you've maxed out their usefulness in their current state, you can recycle ladies' undergarments for several worthy causes. You can upcycle regular undergarments 15 different ways, including doll undergarments/diapers. As for the socks, once they've been darned to death, use them for sock puppets, recycled dog toys for the local animal shelter, or 62 other ways.

Ultimately, by taking good care of your undergarments, having the right amount of quality undergarments, and getting the full use of your undergarments; you will save money and be so much more comfortable.

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