With the upcoming May Day holiday, many folks are gearing up for their travel plans.
But let's face it, coming back tired after a day out and having to hand wash your underwear is no one's idea of fun! And leaving them to pile up until you get back home to wash them poses the risk of bacteria and microbes thriving. That's why many opt for disposable underwear – easy to use and toss away when done.
But are disposable undies really safe? Some netizens have shared their experiences of wearing substandard disposable underwear, which not only didn't make them feel cleaner or more hygienic but actually led to gynecological issues. Why? Because they unknowingly purchased disposable underwear made from "recycled cotton."
Image Source: Douyin @HeiQuanJiang
So, as regular consumers, how can we choose disposable underwear that is safe and hygienic?
Check the standards: Look for hygiene standards + safety technology categories
Recognize GB15979-2002 "Hygienic Standard for Disposable Sanitary Products". This standard imposes strict requirements on bacteria, E. coli, fungi, and other aspects, indicating whether disinfection requirements are met.
Source: GB15979-2002 "Hygienic Standard for Disposable Sanitary Products" [S]
Refer to GB18401-2010 "National Basic Safety Technical Specifications for Textile Products." Infant and toddler textile products should meet Class A requirements, products directly in contact with the skin should at least meet Class B requirements, and products not directly in contact with the skin should at least meet Class C requirements. Therefore, when purchasing disposable underwear, we should aim for Class A or Class B.
Source of image: GB18401-2010 "National Basic Safety Technical Specifications for Textile Products" [S]
Product standards can indicate whether disposable underwear production is qualified or not, such as whether it is prone to tearing or thread shedding. Currently, there is no specific national standard for disposable underwear products. Most enterprise standards adopt the standards of GB/T8878-2023 "Knitted Underwear," which are common standards for underwear. Since the latest version of the knitted underwear standard was implemented on December 1, 2023, products produced before this date are still labeled with the standard number GB/T 8878-2014, as shown in the following figure: ↓
Image Source: Screenshot from an e-commerce platform
When purchasing disposable underwear, it's crucial to check if the packaging indicates "hygiene standards" and "safety technology category." Many products without proper standards lack these markings, and some might only have one.
Check Sterilization Process: Opt for High-Energy Electron Beam Sterilization
Disposable products are typically worn without washing, and during production, bacteria may remain on the fabric. Since disposable underwear directly contacts intimate areas, it's essential to choose products that have undergone a "sterilization process."
Searching for "disposable underwear" on e-commerce platforms reveals that it's a hotspot for products without proper certifications. These packaging bags lack any qualification certificates, and some disposable underwear even lacks information about the manufacturer, yet they have high sales volumes.
Because these products are labeled "high-temperature sterilization" on their product pages, they can be highly misleading to consumers. Therefore, when making a purchase, it's crucial to pay attention to the sterilization method.
Image Source: E-commerce platform screenshot
Ethylene Oxide Sterilization
Most disposable underwear is sterilized using ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization. Ethylene oxide is a broad-spectrum sterilant capable of killing various microorganisms at room temperature. This technology is mature and widely adopted, similar to our "medical disposable masks." However, it has a downside: ethylene oxide has a distinct odor, and if not thoroughly aired out by the manufacturer, it may linger on the fabric.
Source: Screenshots from an e-commerce platform
Another sterilization method that works even better is "high-energy electron beam sterilization," which uses radiation to kill residual microorganisms in product packaging. Its advantages include thorough sterilization, safe operation, and no residue. This technology is widely used in food sterilization. For example, the "dehydrated vegetables" in instant noodles we consume are treated with this method. Since no additional chemical sterilizers are introduced, there is also no residual odor.
Image Source: Screenshot from an e-commerce platform
Craftsmanship: Opt for Knitted
Cheap disposable underwear often utilizes non-woven fabric, with its biggest advantage being affordability. Its production process is similar to that of face towels, but a slight stretch reveals its tendency to easily lose shape or even tear. With a few rubs, visible lint shedding can occur. Commonly found in places like saunas and beauty salons.
The non-woven fabric used in these disposable underwear resembles that of "single-use masks," primarily composed of polyester (polyethylene terephthalate) and polypropylene. However, its breathability and sweat absorption are subpar, causing discomfort and stuffiness after just an hour or two of wear.
Source: Screenshot from an e-commerce platform
High-quality disposable underwear typically employs a knit fabric, similar in structure to the fabric used in our regular underwear. The fabric, woven from yarns intertwined together, ensures minimal deformation during wear, better conforming to the body. Additionally, the close intertwining of the yarns reduces the likelihood of lint shedding compared to disposable underwear made from non-woven fabric.
Image Source: Screenshots from an e-commerce platform
Material Inspection: Regenerated Cellulose Fiber/Viscose Fiber
In our collective consciousness, the immediate assumption might be that cotton is the best material. However, for "disposable underwear," that's not necessarily the case.
Cotton is grown naturally, and due to factors like variety, cultivation region, management practices, and climate, there can be variations in its quality. After harvesting, professional organizations assess the grade of cotton. High-quality cotton is typically used for premium home textiles, luxury shirts, and other high-end products, commanding a higher price. Ordinary cotton is used for everyday T-shirts and clothing, ensuring high sales volume. Lower-quality cotton is often utilized for disposable products, maximizing its value while also achieving affordability. Many disposable underwear products on the market use pure cotton material, primarily employing medium to low-count combed cotton fabrics.
The material best suited for disposable underwear is "regenerated cellulose fiber/viscose fiber." This material involves dissolving "wood or cotton linter" and then spinning it, rearranging the molecular structure of the cellulose fibers to increase moisture absorption by up to 50% more than cotton itself. Additionally, "regenerated cellulose fibers" are artificially manufactured, resulting in more stable length control, typically ranging from 36 to 40mm. This already matches the fiber length of long-staple cotton, making fabrics less prone to pilling.
Image Source: Screenshot from an e-commerce platform
Regenerated cellulose fibers/viscose fibers have low production costs because the raw materials come from trees that can be grown on a large scale, usually costing only about 70% of the price of cotton yarn, making them more cost-effective.
However, this material has a drawback, which is that it is prone to breakage during washing (poor wet strength), and it is also prone to shrinkage. But this significant flaw is just avoided on disposable underwear, where washing conditions are not a concern.
Tips:
The fabric and sewing threads of disposable underwear are usually relatively loose, making them prone to problems such as fraying, breakage, and wrinkling after washing, resulting in a significantly poor wearing experience. It is not recommended to wear them after washing.
Wearing disposable underwear for a long time is possible, but this long-term wearing refers to "wearing once but changing frequently," which poses no risk of bacterial reproduction. However, it is not recommended to wear a single pair of disposable underwear for an extended period as bacteria can easily proliferate, and the fabric and design of disposable underwear are not intended for long-term use, making them prone to breakage, lint shedding, and seam loosening after prolonged wear.
Planning and Production:
Author: Yao Weiming, Textile Chemical Engineer
Review: Song Lidan, Consultation Engineer, Industry Research Department, China Textile Building Planning Institute
Planning: Fu Sijia
Editor: Fu Sijia
Proofreading: Xu Lai, Lin Lin
