When it comes to laundry, most of us fall into one of two camps: those who wash their garments too often, risking premature wear and tear, and those who may not wash them enough, potentially compromising on hygiene. With a few guidelines on how often to launder different clothing items, you can strike the perfect balance to keep your garments fresh and extend their lifespan, all while staying clean and making eco-friendly choices.
As we navigate through our day, clothing acts as a protective barrier, collecting everything from skin cells and bacteria to sweat and environmental pollutants. Undergarments like socks and T-shirts, which directly touch our skin and absorb body oils, should be washed after every wear.
For less intimate items, such as jeans, you can wait up to three times before needing a wash, while outerwear like jackets can be freshened up about once a month unless stained or soiled. The universal rule is simple: if the clothing touches your skin, especially areas prone to sweat or bacteria, it must be laundered regularly.
Bed sheets, meanwhile, demand cleaning every one to two weeks, and towels need attention after about three uses, more if heavily soiled. This approach helps maintain overall hygiene in our daily lives and ensures that our clothing and linens remain in good shape for longer.
But beyond hygiene, there’s a significant environmental and economic aspect to consider. Caring for your clothes properly by extending their active life, as per earth-friendly guidelines, can lead to reduced carbon footprints and waste in landfills. Furthermore, simple actions such as washing with cold water, using earth-friendly detergents, and avoiding dryers when possible, contribute to saving energy and money while preserving clothing fibers.
For those garments that don’t require frequent washing, there are still measures you can take to keep them fresh between launderings. Using fabric refreshers, airing out clothes, spot cleaning stains, and rotating your clothing items can go a long way in maintaining a clean wardrobe without unnecessary washing.
Relevant articles:
– Best Laundry Practices for a Clean & Healthy Environment, tide.com
– TOOLKIT: HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR CLOTHES, earthday.org
– How Often Should You Wash Clothes To Keep Them Clean & Fresh?, Fabricare Center
– How Often Should You Wash Your Clothes?, Hackensack Meridian Health, Jan 11, 2022