9 Items You Overclean and 9 You Keep Forgetting to Wash
Approximately 90% of the clothes we toss into the washing machine are not actually dirty. This habit leads to mountains of unnecessary laundry. Many people wash garments that only carry slight odors or minor wrinkles, wasting precious water, energy, and detergent. This excessive consumption not only inflates household bills but also takes a toll on our environment.
Meanwhile, as we obsess over washing certain items, we completely overlook others that desperately need cleaning. This neglect allows dirt and odors to accumulate, eventually demanding even more intensive washing efforts. To streamline your laundry routine, you need to carefully evaluate which items truly require washing and organize them for optimal cleaning.
To address these issues, we decided to investigate how often the washing machine should actually run. By creating a schedule based on real clothing needs, you can ensure only necessary items get washed, helping save resources and shrink your environmental footprint.
1. Jeans versus leggings
Washing jeans too frequently can dramatically shorten their lifespan and fade their rich color. Each wash cycle causes denim to lose its shape, and warm water may trigger shrinkage, leaving jeans fitting completely different than when you first bought them.
To keep your jeans looking great, avoid frequent washing. Chip Bergh, CEO of Levi's, has not machine-washed his jeans for over ten years. He believes washing less preserves both color and structure while saving water and reducing environmental impact. He recommends spot cleaning when necessary, following the habits of early denim wearers who prized durability above all else. If machine washing becomes unavoidable, turn jeans inside out and use cold water only when they are genuinely dirty.
Leggings demand a completely different approach. Designed to absorb moisture, leggings can quickly develop bacteria and unpleasant odors. For everyday wear, washing after two or three uses is typically sufficient. But after intense workouts, wash them every single time to maintain freshness and hygiene.
