People are generally accustomed to wearing jeans continuously for days long before tossing them into the washing machine. Truth be told, wearing jeans more than three times can be gross considering your body sheds more than 30,000 cells every day.

Here’s what happens when you wear unwashed jeans:

Jock Itch

While your skin can act as a pretty good barrier against infections, you can develop jock itch or an infection in your genital region if you go without washing your jeans for too long.

Athlete’s Foot

If you have athlete’s foot and do not wear socks before putting on your underwear, the fungus can spread to your groin and move onto the jeans. And with all the moving and walking, the fungus is only going to keep growing.

Acne

Bacteria, skin cells, and sweat are transferred to pants from your own body but skin microorganisms are generally not hazardous to ourselves. That said, the oil and dirt in your pants can block your skin pores and lead to acne and folliculitis.

Other Bacterial Infections

You don’t have to worry about washing your jeans too many times if you have healthy skin. However, if you suffer from eczema or have open wounds and dry skin you are probable to suffer from a bacterial infection.

How Often Should You Wash Your Jeans?

Wearing your favorite pair of jeans up to three uses is okay, but anything more than that can be hostile. Of course, this does not apply to the days excessive sweating or accidental spills happen. Also, if you take any public transportation you should wash your jeans after one use.

If you really want to maintain the longevity of your denim, you must turn your jeans inside out and wash it with your hands. And if you do not want to wash your jeans that often, airing your jeans in the sunlight can also be an effective way to get rid of bacteria and odor.

By Sowmya Sangam