We all know that sinking feeling when laundry day arrives. Certain events might demand multiple washing cycles, while some garments can be worn several times before ending up in the basket.
Now if you’ve ever questioned whether you’re approaching this unpopular cleaning chore correctly, the specialists at Which? have disclosed everything you need to understand. It turns out that particular clothing items need a specific number of wears before requiring a wash – and these findings may well surprise you. Posting the details to their almost 140,000 followers on TikTok, the caption stated: “This is one we think might cause a bit of a debate… But take a look at this before you tackle your next load of dirty laundry.”
Which? also published a diagram illustrating how many wears various clothing items, from underwear to sportswear, require before washing.
According to Which? items like underwear and clothes for the gym must be washed after just one wear. While clothes like jeans can take up to 6-10 wears. The image shows:
- Underwear – 1
- Workout gear – 1
- Swimwear – 1
- T-shirt – 1-2
- Dresses – 1-3
- Bras – 2-3
- Pyjamas – 3-4
- Sweatshirt – 5-6
- Skirts – 5-7
- Jeans – 6-10
*Number shows amount of wears
It’s also worth noting clothes should be washed based on usage, fabric and proximity to skin. It’s not always down to a set number of days.
Generally, underwear, socks and workout gear should be washed after one use, but items like jeans and sweaters can handle a little more.
Activity levels: If you’re in workout gear or sweat profusely, you’ll need to wash clothes immediately and more frequently.
Environment: Warmer climates or humid weather will also require more washing due to sweat.
Skin or odour: If clothes have visible stains or smell, they must be washed.
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Fabric: Delicates might require more care, while heavier fabrics like denim can withstand fewer washes to keep shape.
To keep the quality of your clothes, make sure to use cold water, wash garments out and skip the drier for air drying to prevent shrinking and fading.
Make sure to sort your laundry based on colour and fabric weight. Also it’s best to use gentle detergents and avoid overloading the washing machine to prevent damage and ensure thorough cleaning.