Knowing when and how to wash clothes varies from garment to garment. Guys are notorious for letting laundry slide and giving clothes the sniff test before wearing. Some items can be worn several times, others need washing after every wear. Here are some guidelines to help you keep your clothes looking their best, pleasing to wear and inoffensive to others.
Wash after every wearing! No sniffing, no turning inside out - wash them!More »
Wash shirts after 1 or 2 wearings. If you wear an undershirt. don't perspire heavily and don't spill anything, you can often get two wearings from a dress shirt.
For casual or knit shirts, wash after every wearing.More »
If work in an air-conditioned office and don't spill, you can get two or three wearings out of dress slacks. Be sure to hang them up after each wearing and let them rest for 24 hours. This will allow fibers to relax and wrinkles to fall.
You may also need to do touch-up pressing or place the garments in a dryer outfitted with steam drying or in a regular dryer with a damp, clean towel to help remove wrinkles.
For casual slacks and light colors like khaki, wash after each wearing.
To make your work clothing last longer, change as soon as possible after work into "play clothes".More »
Denim is sturdy and great at hiding stains. But it still should be washed after every 4 to 5 wearings even if it looks clean. If you have stretch jeans, you'll probably want to wash them more often to prevent sagging and bagging, especially at the knees.
Wash jeans inside out to prevent fading and fraying. Using cold water will help them keep their color.More »
If you wear another garment like a shirt or t-shirt under your sweater, you can usually get 6 or more wearings before it needs washing or dry-cleaning unless you are a heavy sweater yourself (you sweat a bunch). If you wear it next to your body, one or two wearings is about all you can expect before a need to clean.
Check necklines, cuffs and elbows each time to be sure they are still clean.More »
Jackets can usually be worn 5 or 6 times before they need dry cleaning unless they have a readily visible stain. Again, be sure to give them breathing time between wearings. You may also need to use a fabric refreshener to whisk away light odors.
Be sure to check key contact areas often - collars, sleeves, elbows - to be sure they are clean.
If you have a suit, be sure to dry clean the jacket and slacks together each time. This will prevent uneven fading.More »
Your work-out gear should be washed after every wearing. You probably perspired heavily, the fabrics are body hugging and can harbor bacteria and odor. You can also transfer the bacteria that cause athlete's foot to other garments unless you wash them properly.
Wash everything after each work-out and don't forget to clean your gym bag or tote. Wash if possible or wipe out with a disinfecting wipe.More »
Jackets can usually be worn 5 or 6 times before they need cleaning - either washing or dry cleaning - unless they have a readily visible stain. Again, be sure to give them breathing time between wearings. You may also need to use a fabric refreshener to whisk away light odors.
Be sure to check key contact areas often - collars, sleeves, elbows - to be sure they are clean.More »
Did you know you sweat at night? We all do. We also shed thousands of skin cells. So, wash your pajamas or sleepwear after 3 or 4 wearings. If you shower right before bed you might be able to go a bit longer.
Don't forget, those sheets need a washing too - at least once per week.More »
1. Underwear, T-shirts, Socks
Wash after every wearing! No sniffing, no turning inside out - wash them!More »
2. Shirts
Wash shirts after 1 or 2 wearings. If you wear an undershirt. don't perspire heavily and don't spill anything, you can often get two wearings from a dress shirt.
For casual or knit shirts, wash after every wearing.More »
3. Dress Slacks - Casual Slacks
If work in an air-conditioned office and don't spill, you can get two or three wearings out of dress slacks. Be sure to hang them up after each wearing and let them rest for 24 hours. This will allow fibers to relax and wrinkles to fall.
You may also need to do touch-up pressing or place the garments in a dryer outfitted with steam drying or in a regular dryer with a damp, clean towel to help remove wrinkles.
For casual slacks and light colors like khaki, wash after each wearing.
To make your work clothing last longer, change as soon as possible after work into "play clothes".More »
4. Jeans
Denim is sturdy and great at hiding stains. But it still should be washed after every 4 to 5 wearings even if it looks clean. If you have stretch jeans, you'll probably want to wash them more often to prevent sagging and bagging, especially at the knees.
Wash jeans inside out to prevent fading and fraying. Using cold water will help them keep their color.More »
5. Sweaters
If you wear another garment like a shirt or t-shirt under your sweater, you can usually get 6 or more wearings before it needs washing or dry-cleaning unless you are a heavy sweater yourself (you sweat a bunch). If you wear it next to your body, one or two wearings is about all you can expect before a need to clean.
Check necklines, cuffs and elbows each time to be sure they are still clean.More »
6. Suits and Blazers
Jackets can usually be worn 5 or 6 times before they need dry cleaning unless they have a readily visible stain. Again, be sure to give them breathing time between wearings. You may also need to use a fabric refreshener to whisk away light odors.
Be sure to check key contact areas often - collars, sleeves, elbows - to be sure they are clean.
If you have a suit, be sure to dry clean the jacket and slacks together each time. This will prevent uneven fading.More »
7. Athletic Wear and Swim Wear
Your work-out gear should be washed after every wearing. You probably perspired heavily, the fabrics are body hugging and can harbor bacteria and odor. You can also transfer the bacteria that cause athlete's foot to other garments unless you wash them properly.
Wash everything after each work-out and don't forget to clean your gym bag or tote. Wash if possible or wipe out with a disinfecting wipe.More »
8. Casual Jackets
Jackets can usually be worn 5 or 6 times before they need cleaning - either washing or dry cleaning - unless they have a readily visible stain. Again, be sure to give them breathing time between wearings. You may also need to use a fabric refreshener to whisk away light odors.
Be sure to check key contact areas often - collars, sleeves, elbows - to be sure they are clean.More »
9. Sleepwear
Did you know you sweat at night? We all do. We also shed thousands of skin cells. So, wash your pajamas or sleepwear after 3 or 4 wearings. If you shower right before bed you might be able to go a bit longer.
Don't forget, those sheets need a washing too - at least once per week.More »