9 Items We Clean Too Frequently, and 9 Others We Tend to Overlook

Approximately 90% of the clothes we wash are not truly dirty, leading to unnecessary laundry. Washing garments with slight odors or wrinkles wastes water, energy, and detergent, increasing expenses and harming the environment. Meanwhile, we often neglect items that genuinely need cleaning, allowing dirt and odors to accumulate. This buildup eventually requires intensive washing. To streamline laundry routines, it’s vital to assess which items require washing and organize them efficiently. To address these issues, we studied optimal washing machine usage. By creating a schedule based on actual clothing needs, we can ensure only necessary items are cleaned, saving resources and reducing environmental impact.

1. Jeans versus leggings

Washing jeans too frequently fades their color and shortens their lifespan. Each wash can alter denim’s shape, and warm weather may cause shrinkage.
To maintain jeans, avoid frequent washing. Levi’s CEO Chip Bergh hasn’t washed his jeans in over ten years, advocating spot cleaning to preserve denim’s structure and color while conserving water. If machine washing is necessary, turn jeans inside out and use cold water only when truly dirty. Leggings, designed to absorb moisture, require more frequent washing to prevent bacteria and odors. Wash them after two or three uses for everyday wear, and after every workout for hygiene.

About the Author

ArcticVector Research-led, reader-centered, and relentlessly iterative.

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