The main reason to wash clothes is to prevent bacteria build-up that can lead to smelly clothes or even skin irritation and infections. For example, wearing dirty socks numerous times before a wash could result in athlete’s foot. Let’s not forget food stains either! This can be a real problem, especially if you have young children.

Although there are many reasons for washing of our clothes, excessive clothes washing can accelerate the wearing out of fabric and loss of colour. So, how often should you be washing your clothes to prevent bacteria build-up without shortening their lifespan?

Guidelines for Washing Clothes

Generally speaking, the frequency of washing should increase the closer clothing is to your skin or sweat glands. For example, clothing such as socks, underwear or t-shirts should be washed after each use because they have closest contact with your body’s sweat glands. Even your towel should be washed after every few uses. Regular washing helps remove bacteria, skin cells and oils that can accumulate on clothing throughout the day.

Sports clothing such as your child’s soccer outfit or swimsuit come in contact with a great deal of contaminants and should be washed after each use. Swimsuits are a good example of clothing that not only contacts your own skin and sweat but also various chemicals (i.e. chlorine in the pool). If any of your clothing touches chemicals, washing often can avoid skin agitation.

How Often Do My Jeans Need to Be Washed?

Unless you have been sweating while wearing your jeans, it is not necessary to wash them often. The same goes for shorts and skirts. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to how often they want to wash their clothes; however, a guideline can sometimes be helpful.