Inspecting underwear - Nishmat Yoatzot Halacha

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Inspecting underwear

May 21, 2004

Question

Is there a formal procedure for checking one’s white underwear during the seven clean days? In other words, although I am required to wear white underwear during the seven clean days, must I actively check my underwear for stains? If so, how often? If not, may I avoid looking at my underwear, and bathroom tissue for that matter, and rely solely on the bedikot?

Thank you.

Answer

White underwear should be worn so that stains will be noticed. You do not have to carefully inspect the underwear because tiny stains that would be visible only upon careful inspection are generally much less than a gris in size, and therefore would not invalidate your clean days. It is sufficient to look quickly at the underwear when you remove it, before putting it in the laundry.

You should not actively avoid looking at your underwear during the clean days. If you are having difficulty with staining during the clean days, please get back to us or a local halachic authority with more details, or call our telephone hotline.

There is never a halachic obligation to check bathroom tissue, even during the seven clean days, and in fact we recommend that women take certain precautions when wiping after urinating. See our article on toilet paper for more details.