Laundry saving trick: wear clothes more than once

If you think you need to wash your clothes every time you wear them, you’re wasting water, energy and money, and shortening the life of your clothes. You can almost always wear clothes more than once without being “dirty.”

We’ve all been conditioned to think that clothing needs to be freshly laundered after every use, but is this really necessary? In fact, there are several compelling reasons why you should be wearing your clothes more than once before tossing them in the washing machine.

Why you should wear clothes more than once

Maintaining Your Wardrobe

The more you wash your clothes, the more quickly they’ll wear out. And you’re wasting water, electricity and your own time doing it. There’s just no upside to washing your clothes too often.

Most clothes are still clean after a wearing – especially if you only wore them for a few hours. Many of us can get at least two wearings out of most clothing items before needing to launder them.

Of course, there is a secret to how this works: you need to hang up your clothes. If you toss your clothes in the floor in a heap, they’ll get stinky faster from that than from you wearing them.

Hanging them up gives them the opportunity to air out. Airing out gets rid of much of what causes them not to smell or look fresh.

Less Work for You

This one’s simple: the less laundry you do, the less work you do. Why do more work than you need to?

Environmental Costs of Frequent Washing

Another great reason to reduce the frequency of your clothes washing is the significant environmental impact it can have. The process of laundering clothes requires a substantial amount of water, energy, and detergents – all of which have a substantial toll on the planet.

Save Money

By cutting back on the number of times you wash your clothes, you can dramatically reduce this water usage. And washing machines and dryers are major energy hogs, accounting for about 5-10% of a household’s total energy consumption.

Reducing the frequency of washing can lead to meaningful energy savings and lower your environmental impact.

Health and Hygiene Considerations

You may be wondering about the potential health and hygiene implications. After all, don’t our clothes get dirty and need to be cleaned regularly?

Skin Irritation

Contrary to popular belief, wearing clothes more than once before washing them does not necessarily lead to skin irritation or health issues. Unless you’ve been engaging in especially sweaty or dirty activities, most fabrics can be worn multiple times without causing problems.

In fact, over-washing can actually be detrimental to your skin’s health. Many laundry detergents contain harsh chemicals that can strip away the natural oils and protective barriers of your skin, leading to dryness, irritation, and even eczema flare-ups.

By washing less frequently, you’re allowing your skin to maintain its natural balance.

Odor Control

One of the primary reasons people feel the need to wash their clothes after a single wear is the fear of odor. And it’s true that one of the best ways to tell it’s time to launder something is when it stops passing the sniff test.

But in many cases, whenever clothes stop smelling like laundry detergent and dryer sheets, people think that means they’re not clean. I’ve seen people sniff clothes that have been in their closet for a while, perfectly clean, and think they smelled “bad” because they no longer smelled like flowers.

This is just not the case. As long as clothes smell like fabric and not body odor, they’re still clean.

Germs and Bacteria

While it’s true that clothes can accumulate germs and bacteria over time, the risks of wearing them more than once are often overstated. Most of the bacteria on our clothing are harmless, and regular hand washing, showering, and proper laundry practices can effectively manage any potential health concerns.

Unless you’ve been in contact with someone who is sick or have spilled something particularly unsanitary on your clothes, the occasional extra wear is unlikely to pose a significant health risk. Use your best judgment and err on the side of caution if you have any concerns.

Some exceptions

As I said above, you can “almost always” wear clothes more than once. Here are the rules or when to wash your clothes, even if you’ve only worn them once.

If you sweated significantly while wearing something, go ahead and wash it.
If you get something on it that can’t be lifted with a spot cleaning, wash it. Otherwise, hang it back up in the closet. (If you’ve got a small stain, a dab of laundry detergent on a damp cloth works great, too)
If you did a dirty job while wearing these clothes, they probably need to be washed.

Practical Tips for Extending Time Between Washes

Rotate Your Wardrobe

One of the easiest ways to wear your clothes more than once is to have a diverse wardrobe that allows you to rotate your outfits. This ensures that each garment gets a chance to “rest” between wears, reducing the need for frequent washing.

Spot Clean as Needed

Instead of automatically tossing clothes in the washing machine after a single wear, take a closer look and decide whether it truly needs a full wash. Many clothes can be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth or mild stain remover to address any specific areas that need attention.

This targeted approach helps preserve the integrity of your garments while ensuring they stay fresh and clean between washes.

Air Out Your Clothes

Hang or lay out your clothes in a well-ventilated area after wearing to allow them to air out and release any odors. This can be as simple as leaving them on a drying rack or even just draping them over a chair.

The fresh air and circulation will help revive the fabrics and make them feel and smell clean. You can also try using a garment steamer to refresh your clothes between wears. The steam helps remove wrinkles and odors, keeping your outfits looking and feeling their best.

Establish a Laundry Routine

Instead of washing your clothes on a whim or as soon as you notice a few dirty items, try to establish a consistent laundry routine. This could mean doing a full load of laundry once a week or every two weeks, depending on your needs and the size of your wardrobe.

When you batch your laundry tasks, you’ll be less tempted to wash individual items as they become worn. Plus, you’ll save time and energy by tackling the chore in a more efficient, organized manner.

Consider Fabric Type

Not all fabrics require the same level of maintenance. Some materials, like cotton and linen, can typically be worn more times before needing a wash, while delicate fabrics like silk or wool may require more frequent cleaning.

Pay attention to the care instructions on your garments and adjust your washing habits accordingly. This will help you strike the right balance between keeping your clothes fresh and preserving their quality.

Tips: cutting back on laundry

When you get home in the evening and change into a t-shirt and sweatpants (or whatever), don’t toss the those comfy clothes out after a few hours’ wear, either. Those should last you several evenings – up to a week, easily, depending how many hours you wear them per day.
Another way to help preserve your clothes longer and save a bit on your energy bills: wash in cold water. There is nothing warm water can do for your clothes that cold can’t, and my clothes have lasted longer since I’ve been doing this (for many years now).
Underwear and socks should be washed after a single wearing, but bras can generally go for a few wearings. Even department store employees will tell you this. Use the sniff test on bras the same as you would for outerwear, to determine when it’s time to wash.