A Checklist For How Often You Should Wash Clothing…

Just how often do certain pieces of clothing need to be washed? Even if your household has a weekend of laundry time, it doesn’t mean that you should throw everything — clothes, towels, sheets, in the washer at once. Some items should be washed more often than once a week, while others can go longer between washing. How often you really need to wash your clothes depends on a lot of factors. Take a look at a few suggestions of what you need to know.

Business Casual Clothing You Would Wear To The Office

Typically, these include slacks or khakis, dress shirt or blouse, open-collar or polo shirt, optional tie or seasonal sport coat, a dress or skirt at knee-length or below, a tailored blazer, knit shirt or sweater. Often you can wear this type of clothing five times before they need to be washed. If you must wear a suit, it can be worn multiple times. Your dress button down collar shirts can usually be worn up to four times. It is best to wear an undershirt under your dress shirt.

Do I Have To Wash My Gym Clothes Everyday?

If you didn’t get too sweaty, you may be tempted to wear your workout gear again before washing. But hygiene experts say you should wash workout clothes after every use if you want to prevent odors. Washing them immediately is the best way to get rid of the bacteria that made them smelly.

How Often Should I Wash A Hoodie?

It’s perfectly fine to wash it only after you wear it five or six times. In fact, that’s part of the attraction of using a hoodie like a jacket. If your hoodie gets dirty or stained, give it a good wash. However, because a hoodie is outerwear, and isn’t usually in direct contact with your skin, they don’t get dirty or smelly as quickly.

How Often Should You Wash Jackets And Coats? 

Down jackets, leather jackets, and wool coats need to be washed once a season, if worn sporadically. If they’ve been worn regularly, they should be washed twice a season. Suit jackets and blazers should be washed after four to five wears.  Wash your fleece jackets after six or seven wears. Rain jackets should be washed once a month, if worn infrequently and twice a month, if worn regularly.

How About Washing Underwear And Socks

Underwear, socks, and undershirts should be washed after every use, while bras can be worn 3-4 times before washing. Since underwear, socks, and undershirts are in close contact with your skin and sweat, washing them after every use keeps them smelling fresh. There should be no exception to this rule.

Should New Clothing Always Be Washed Before Wearing?

Many of our garments are made in countries that use formaldehyde and other chemicals to prevent damage from insects and mildew as they travel long distances to the U.S. These finishes and bacteria from other humans can be especially harmful to anyone with a compromised immune system, or young children who have not developed immunity to common bacteria. A full wash is needed to remove most contaminants. Use a heavy-duty laundry detergent with enough enzymes to break apart soils and the highest water temperature recommended for the specific type of fabric.

Your Private Stuff

Pajamas can withstand up to four wears, and robes are about the same. Towels can be hung to dry after use and used 2 or 3 times before washing. Wash your sheets on a weekly basis. There’s no point in diligently washing your clothes if you’re sleeping in dirty sheets at the end of the day.