Your Pajamas Are Full of Germs—Here’s Why You Should Wash Them Every Week

Pajamas are a staple of comfort, but they’re strictly indoor clothing. Since we rarely venture outside in our PJs, we commonly go for long periods without washing them. However, neglecting to clean your sleepwear properly can seriously impact your health. Let’s explore why you should wash your pajamas and how often you should do it.

Here’s the deal: You should wash your pajamas at least once weekly. Unwashed PJs are a breeding ground for nasties like Staphylococcus aureusE. coli and dust mites. Why? Because while you’re sleeping, your body is shedding skin cells and sweating up a storm.

Staphylococcus aureus is pretty common – about 30% of healthy adults have it chilling on their skin. This bacteria is a toxin-producing troublemaker that can cause skin tumors or pustules if it gets out of hand.

E. coli is another unwelcome guest that can lead to bladder infections if it sneaks into your urinary tract. And those pesky dust mites? They’re upping your chances of developing allergic rhinitis.

Since your pajamas are in direct contact with your skin, opt for liquid detergent to avoid residue. If you’re team powder, dissolve it in warm water before washing.

When it comes to hygiene, your underwear deserves extra attention. Change your undies daily—no exceptions. Dirty underwear can lead to itching and funky odors in your nether regions, and trust us, nobody wants that.

If your underwear gets damp, it creates a moist environment where bacteria can thrive—a recipe for disaster. Combined with the dead skin cells your body naturally sheds, this can lead to skin issues in areas like your groin that come into contact with your underwear.

Ladies, listen up: Unsanitary underwear can mess with your vaginal health. Your lady parts have a delicate balance of good bacteria, including Lactobacillus. Wearing unwashed undies can disrupt this balance faster than you can say “yeast infection.”

Need more convincing? A study by Charles Gerba, a microbiology professor at the University of Arizona, found 0.1 grams of fecal matter on underwear fresh from the wash. They also detected E. coli and Staphylococcus.