How often you should actually wash your clothes, bedding and everything else

Take our quiz To discover how frequently you should launder your clothes – and how frequently others do so. In addition, determine what the specialists think with your routine.

than necessary.

As it stands, several other factors influence our habit of throwing clothes into the washing machine after just one wear. One reason for this is that many of us now possess an overwhelming number of clothes, allowing us to pick out a completely new outfit each day with little thought or effort.

Our great-grandparents were rather thrifty with their clothing, often ensuring each item would last as long as possible until the next weekly wash.

Interior tours of beautifully set up, custom-made laundry rooms are a favourite among social media users.

On top of the single-use plastic and chemicals from synthetic fragrances, brightness enhancers, and so on, there is also the harm caused by synthetic fibres fragmenting into micron-sized particles which then enter the marine environment.

Extending the life of your clothes between washes is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach.
Why is it necessary to wait before washing clothes?
Waiting before washing your clothes is not only beneficial for the environment but also helps to maintain their quality and extend their lifespan. Washing too frequently can cause colour loss, fabric deterioration, and damage to your clothes.
Factors to consider when deciding how often to wash clothes
Several factors need to be taken into consideration when determining the length of time to wait before washing your clothes. These include:
* The colour and type of fabric
* The level of physical activity the clothes will be subjected to
* The weather conditions the clothes will be exposed to
* Personal preference and hygiene needs
How to extend the life of clothes
Here are some simple tips to help extend the life of your clothes between washes:
* Turn clothes inside out to prevent snagging and abrasion
* Store clothes in a cool, dry environment to prevent moisture build-up and mildew growth
* Hang clothes instead of folding to prevent creases and wrinkles
* Avoid overstuffing your washing machine to prevent excessive wear on your clothes and the machine itself
* Consider air drying or line drying to prevent shrinkage and damage to fabrics

The simplest method is "airing out" – leaving garments outside the wardrobe for 24 hours after they have been worn. Garments that require hanging, such as tailored items, dresses, blouses, and dress trousers; should be hung on a hanger. Items such as knits and T-shirts should be laid over a chair. Any unpleasant odours will usually have completely dissipated.

If they're still smelly, give the garment a spritz with deodorising spray. (The Clothes Doctor's product worked wonders on a rather pongy vintage dress I'd recently acquired.)

Available for around £20, this innovative device is a game changer indeed. A concentrated blast of magical steam will restore any garment, removing musty odours and ironing out wrinkles without requiring a washing machine or an ironing board to be involved. Steam cleaning proves to be effective in reducing bacteria by a substantial 96 per cent, and most importantly, does not release any microfibres into the water system.

Stain removal on any garment can be achieved by gently blotting with a damp cloth. Natural sponges are preferred as they have inherent antibacterial properties. Ensure the garment is completely dry before hanging it back in the wardrobe.

A traditional clothes brush, similar to those many parents used to swear by, is an efficient method for clearing away dust and debris, as well as more noticeable dried mud and flung-on makeup.

Is dry cleaning necessary?

Traditional dry cleaning often employs chemicals that emit toxins into the atmosphere and waterways. Thankfully, there are eco-friendly dry cleaners available, but a lot can be achieved through everyday methods.

Mortram states: "If an item is particularly fragile with intricate details such as beads or sequins, or is very valuable and holds sentimental worth, then it's best to take it to the cleaners."

Is it ever acceptable to use a tumble dryer?

But there are instances – such as this damp summer – when wet towels need to be dried this way. Nonetheless, as a general rule, it's better to use any alternative drying method available.

Best washing product choices

Liquid laundry detergent should be banned. It's 90% water, weighing a kilogram per litre, being transported in diesel trucks and disposable plastic containers. We urge you to join the campaign against it and share this information with your friends. There are many more environmentally-friendly options available.

Laundry capsules are more complicated. Investigations have discovered that the water-dissolvable polymer (PVA) they're encased in discharges a toxic building block, which enters the water system and hurts sea life. Others argue it's a more complex issue and further study is required to reach a definitive conclusion.

Strikingly, the apparently environmentally conscious laundry sheets also contain PVA.

So what's the best option? The Good Housekeeping Institute says that traditional boxed laundry powder is the most effective product for removing stains. It's a great value, especially Lidl's own brand, and while the cardboard box can be a bit heavy, you can recycle or compost it. Just be sure not to overdo it, as you'll only need a little bit at a time.

Although the egg surface is plastic, each pack of mineral pellets provides 70 washes, which are mild on sensitive skin and delicate materials - and then you buy refills. It has received positive reviews on the Lakeland website, a popular shop for discerning homemakers.

Baca Juga

Specialised liquid washes

It's worth investing in for delicate items such as silk and cashmere, and for activewear made from moisture-wicking fabrics (do not use fabric conditioner on these items). Look for products that come in packaging that is recyclable, or have a refill option available.

Fabric conditioner

This is a contentious issue, with most single-use plastic bottles containing around 90 per cent water and also featuring a high amount of chemical colouring and fragrances. White vinegar with a few drops of lavender oil works extremely well, or you can opt for more environmentally friendly alternatives (see below).

Stain removal

For the quintessential "housewife of the 1950s" look, oxygen bleach, which is the fundamental component of all branded stain-removers, is non-toxic and harmless, but the problem is that supermarkets sell it in plastic containers with plastic scoops. Consider instead purchasing it from a local health food shop or refills store, where it is sold in paper packaging, and then storing it in an old pickle jar.

How frequently do you wash your clothes, and how often should you, in order to keep them fresh and clean?

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What the Professionals Say About Your Laundry Routine

The household tips she provides are often straightforward and based on good sense, such as washing one's trousers daily and changing towels after every three to four uses.

What I found surprising was bed linen. Mortram suggests you can stretch to two weeks between changes, which initially horrified me until I read further on that cleaning your sheets and duvet by airing them out with the covers pulled back for a couple of hours every day can keep them fresh for longer.

There is a notable viewpoint suggesting that washing clothes as infrequently as possible is advised, and that using alternative methods to keep them clean between wearings is a viable approach.

Lulu O'Connor established the company Clothes Doctor specifically to promote a culture of care for clothes, enabling them to endure for longer - and less frequent washing is an integral part of this approach. As she notes, there are specific items that she strongly advises against washing.

“When items of clothing that sit directly against the skin need to be washed more frequently,” she notes, “their frequency of washing however can be seasonal but we generally recommend washing jeans as little as possible. A deodorising spray can help keep them fresh for up to 30 wears. Alternatively, if you want to restore their original shape, try using a handheld steamer to steam them.”

She strongly advises steaming synthetic fabrics to postpone washing to prevent shedding microfibres and mitigate pollution.

When it comes to spot-cleaning items that need to be washed, O'Connor reckons using an oxygen bleach stain remover is a good starting point before throwing them in the machine. This allows you to run a slightly lower temperature wash. He never goes above a 30-degree cycle.

Place a basin of water under the stain, then apply the stain remover to the affected area and let it soak for an hour or be left overnight.

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