Written by Angela Reviewed by Daniel

Are You Washing Your Clothes Too Often? The Answer Might Shock You!

Have you ever been looking at a mountain of laundry and wondered how it managed to pile up again. Laundry often feels like a never ending cycle, and let’s face it, no one’s exactly thrilled about spending their weekend on it.

But have you ever thought that you might be washing your clothes more often than you need to? What if we told you that most of your laundry probably gets washed too often?

In this article we’ll show you how to save money, time and the environment. Keep reading to find out how.

Table of Contents

Do You Really Need To Wash Your Clothes After Each Wear?

So, you’ve worn that shirt once. Does it really need to go straight into the wash? Probably not.

Underwear and socks? Fair enough, they’re a one and done situation.

But other clothes? Jeans? Suits? Jumpers? They’re a bit tougher than you might think and don’t always need washing after one wear.

Why Washing Your Clothes Too Often Can Be A Problem

Overwashing can actually shorten the life of your clothes. Each wash breaks down the fabric a little, and before you know it, your favourite jumper looks worn out. You’ll end up with faded colours, holes, and clothes that lose their shape.

And it’s not just about the clothes. Washing less often saves money on electricity, water, and detergent. Plus, it’s kinder to the environment too.

The boffins estimate that the average British adult does around 13,000 loads of laundry in their lifetime, if you can reduce that number, think what else you could be doing.

How Often Should You Really Wash Your Clothes?

Not all clothes are the same, and some need washing more often than others. Here’s a quick guide:

Wash After One Wear

The following items should be washed after a single wear;

Underwear & Socks
No questions here, put those bad boys straight in the wash.
White Shirts & Silks
To keep them looking fresh, wash after every wear.
Sportswear & Swimwear
These absorb sweat and chlorine, so they need washing right away.
Sweaty Or Stained Clothes
If it’s sweaty or has a stain, it’s time for a wash.

Wash After 2 Or 3 Wears

The following should be washed after 2 or a maximum of 3 wears;

Bras
Washing them too often can ruin the shape, so every 2 to 3 wears is better.
Shirts, Blouses & Dresses
If they still smell fine, air them out and wear them again.
Leggings
Not workout leggings, but casual ones can go for a few wears.

Wash After 4 Or 5 Wears

The following items can be worn 4 or 5 times before washing;

Pyjamas
If you’re clean when you go to bed, they’re good for a few nights.
Dress Trousers & Cardigans
Less contact with skin means fewer washes.
Suits
Expensive and delicate, so don’t overdo it.

Wash After 6 Or More Wears

These items can be worn at least 5 or 6 times or even more before they need to be washed;

Jeans
Denim’s are built to last. Wear them as much as you can before washing.
Jackets & Sweatshirts
Unless they’re visibly dirty, these can go for ages.
Skirts
Skirts can be worn multiple times before they need to be washed.

What About Winter Clothes?

Winter gear like coats, scarves, and gloves don’t need frequent washing. A good rule of thumb is once a season, or more often if they’re getting regular use.

If you wear them regularly during the season, they might need washing every 4 weeks or so. But you might get away with just airing them out properly.

The Sniff Test

If you’re not sure, the sniff test is a solid option.

If you’re not sure what the sniff test is, it’s just giving your clothes a quick sniff and if they smell fine and look clean, there’s no need to chuck them in the wash just yet. It’s as simple as that.

More importantly, you need to consider what type of clothing it is and what fabric it’s made from. And whether you’re wearing it every day.

Why It’s Worth It

Cutting back on washing isn’t just about convenience. It also means:

Saving Time
Fewer loads to wash, dry, and fold. Who doesn’t want that?
Saving Money
Less detergent and electricity, and your washing machine will last longer.
Saving The Planet
Less water and energy wasted means a smaller carbon footprint.

What’s Your Laundry Routine?

Do you wash everything after one wear, or do you stretch things out a bit? Got any laundry tips or funny stories about avoiding the chore? Drop them in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!

And if you know someone who’s overdoing it on the laundry front, send this their way. They might just thank you for it.

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