How to clear out the drawer with bras and knickers

Short answer: A tidy underwear drawer is about keeping what you actually wear and letting go of the rest. Take everything out, sort by fit and comfort, and keep a fixed number of the pieces that feel good every day. Mornings become easier.

Empty the drawer completely first

Start by taking everything out and laying it on the bed. You get an honest view of how many pieces you own and how many never get worn. It is hard to judge something folded at the bottom of a full drawer, so give yourself time to see it all.

Ask yourself what you actually put on

Pick up each piece and think about when you last wore it. What you reach for again and again stays. What keeps sitting at the bottom is usually not comfortable enough. If you own many pairs of the same thing, start from the ones you love wearing. Have a look at the bamboo knickers, for example.

Sort by fit and wear

Put everything that pinches, slips or has lost its shape in a pile of its own. Elastic that has gone slack and seams that rub make the day less comfortable. Feel whether the fabric is still soft against the skin and whether the bra cups still sit as they should. Worn underwear deserves to leave the drawer, even if it still looks fine.

Decide how many pairs you need

Work out how many days pass between washes and let that decide the number. If you usually wash within a week, seven pairs of knickers and a few extra bras to rotate are enough. Choose a number that fits your everyday life and set up the drawer around it, not around the urge to collect.

Keep everyday and special occasions apart

It helps to have two small zones in the drawer. One is for everyday, where everything is soft and easy, and the other holds the few pieces you save for particular occasions. That way nicer pieces do not clutter the way, and you can quickly find what you are after. An overview is found under bamboo underwear for women.

Fold and stand them so you can see everything

Fold each piece so it stands on its edge rather than stacking them on top of each other. You then see the whole drawer at a glance, and the bottom layer is not forgotten. Small boxes or dividers keep bras, knickers and socks apart, and the drawer keeps looking tidy for weeks afterwards.

What to do with what you sort out

If the underwear is worn out, you can hand it in as textile waste so it does not end up in general rubbish. Unused pieces in good condition can be passed on or sold if you like. Do not keep anything just in case you need it later, because that usually only makes the drawer crowded again.

Keep the order going

Make it a habit to remove one piece whenever you buy a new one. That way the pile does not simply grow back. If you need to top up the drawer, consider something soft you can wear daily, such as bamboo tops for women as a calm base under other clothes. Give the drawer a short check twice a year.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I clear out the underwear drawer?

Twice a year is plenty for most people. Use the change of seasons as a fixed occasion, and also decide about any bras and knickers that no longer fit well.

How do I know a bra or pair of knickers is worn out?

If the elastic is slack, the fabric has worn thin, or it rubs and slips, it is finished. Notice whether you keep adjusting it throughout the day.

How many pairs of knickers should I keep?

Count how many days pass between your washes and start from that. For many people it is about a week's worth, but your own washing pattern decides the number.