The pandemic has certainly changed the world in many ways, including what we wear on a daily basis. The spread of the coronavirus has made people more aware of the unseen threats to human health and well-being, and many have adapted to this new information by changing the way they prepare for trips outside of their homes. On top of dressing up for style and comfort, many people are also incorporating personal protective equipment into their everyday ensemble. These measures can help improve a person’s chances of keeping the virus out of their home and their body. However, it should be noted that regular wear and tear can damage these protective pieces of clothing. The damages they’ve incurred can prevent them from offering the same level of protection to their wearers over time. And when this happens, it’s important that you replace these wardrobe essentials so that you can still enjoy a high level of protection and peace of mind as you go about your daily activities.
Here’s a guide on how often you should replace the items that make up your wardrobe.
Face Masks
Face masks come in all forms, shapes, and sizes. In the two years of the pandemic, perhaps you’ve found a type of face mask that offers you the right level of protection that you need and suits your personal style. The guidelines on face masks can change from time to time, depending on the situation. To ensure that you’re protected no matter what, you may have resorted to wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask every time you head out.
It’s a good idea to find a regular place where to buy antimicrobial masks, as you have to wash your face masks after each wear. Washing is important to maintaining mask hygiene and effectiveness but this can also weaken the cloth fibers over time. Having a set of face masks to cycle through is a smart idea, as it will enable you to extend the life of each individual mask. Unfortunately, there’s no specific timeline that dictates exactly when you should discard your cloth mask. This is because cloth masks are made of different fabrics and undergo a wide variety of manufacturing processes. However, if your face mask is showing signs of wear and tear—that is, if the elastic loops are starting to lose their stretch and the fabric is becoming too thin—then, you should consider replacing it. Masks with loose ear loops will no longer fit your face properly, and masks that are too thin will have significantly lowered filtration capabilities.
Gloves
There are many different types of gloves, and some of them are used for very specific purposes. Some people even use antimicrobial gloves every day to reduce their contact with possible sources of infection while they’re doing their shopping or working in a shared space. If you’re using cloth gloves regularly, it’s important to wash and sanitize them after every use, just like cloth face masks.
Before you use cloth gloves, inspect them for signs of wear and tear like holes and pulls, and then retire the pairs that no longer offer you adequate protection. If you’re using cloth gloves for work, it’s a great idea to have access to multiple pairs while you’re going about your tasks. This way, you can easily replace wet or stained pairs with clean ones and ensure that you’re carrying out your job while adhering to high standards of hygiene.
Socks
Another clothing essential that needs to be replaced regularly are socks. Wearing ill-fitting socks can cause injuries and distract you while you’re trying to be more mindful of your actions while outdoors.
Now, while it’s a good idea to replace your socks once they start forming holes, you should know that how the pair fits is also an important consideration when determining whether or not you should buy a new pair of socks. Even if your socks still look new, if they’re causing you to form blisters, rashes, and other types of skin irritation, then you should consider replacing them. At the same time, wearing socks that are too loose can cause injuries, and these pairs should be discarded as well.
Underwear
In the same vein, wearing ill-fitting, uncomfortable, or worn-out underwear can also be quite distracting while you’re out and about. Everyone deserves to wear comfy underwear, and doing so can even boost one’s confidence. To make sure that you’re getting a good pair even if you’re in a hurry, inspect your underwear after doing the laundry and use this moment to discard pieces with tears, stains, loose elastics, or pulls. Some people recommend replacing one’s underwear every 6 to 12 months, though there’s really no definitive answer as to when you should discard the pairs that you have right now. If a pair is starting to cause irritation, discomfort, or affect your self-confidence, then it would be best to take it out of your underwear options.
Before you go shopping for new clothes, check if any of these items in your wardrobe need replacing. This way, you can make sure that you’re always wearing or using pieces that can offer you adequate protection and comfort.
