9 Items You Wash Too Much and 9 You Always Forget—What’s Hiding in Your Home?
Approximately 90% of the clothes we put in the wash are not truly dirty, leading to a significant amount of unnecessary laundry. Many people throw garments into the machine just because they have a slight odor or a few wrinkles, wasting water, energy, and detergent. This overuse not only drives up household costs but also harms the environment.
Meanwhile, as we focus on washing certain items, we often ignore others that actually need attention. Overlooking these can cause dirt and odors to accumulate, eventually demanding deeper, more difficult cleaning. To make laundry more efficient, it’s crucial to assess what genuinely needs washing and organize your laundry for best results.
To address these issues, we explored how often the washing machine should really run. By following a schedule based on actual clothing needs, we can make sure only necessary items are washed, saving resources and reducing our environmental footprint.
1. Jeans versus leggings
To keep jeans looking great, limit washing. Chip Bergh, CEO of Levi’s, hasn’t machine-washed his jeans in over ten years. He says less washing protects denim’s color and strength, while also conserving water and helping the planet. Spot clean when needed, like early denim wearers who prized durability. If you must machine wash, turn jeans inside out and use cold water only when truly soiled.
Leggings, however, need different care. Because they absorb sweat, leggings can quickly develop bacteria and odors. For everyday wear, wash after two or three uses. After workouts, always wash them to keep them fresh and hygienic.
