What's the easiest way to make your laundry routine more sustainable? Simply do less of it. A single load of laundry can take anywhere from 15 to 45 gallons of water. It may not sound like a lot on its own, but when you take into account that the average American family does 300 loads of laundry per year, it sure does add up.
The water use and energy use (not to mention all those microplastics!) has us asking the question: How often should you wash your clothes? Surprisingly, it's not as often as you think. Here's a dermatologist's take.
How Often Should You Wash Your Clothes?
According to Annie Gonzalez, MD, FAAD, a board certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami, failing to wash our clothes frequently enough can result in a variety of pretty unfavorable skin conditions.
"Our skin reabsorbs all the oil on our clothes, and the oil clogs the pores and causes body acne," says Dr. Gonzalez. "The dirt from unwashed clothes can also enter the hair follicle, and the hair follicle becomes infected. Because your clothes rub against your back, you may get bacne as well. Or, you may develop an itchy rash from all the bacteria on your clothes rubbing against the skin."
So, how do we avoid all these issues while still keeping our laundry to a minimum? Ultimately, the answer to the question depends on the type of garment.
Everyday Wear
The clothes we wear to work or around the house can probably afford to go a few days between laundering—especially if you work from home.
"If you're wearing something for a few hours, and not sweating, it's probably okay to wait 2 to 4 wears before washing. Or, after a full day’s use," says Dr. Gonzalez."If you're working from home, it's probably okay to wait after 3 to 4 wears before washing your clothes."
In general, Dr. Gonzalez recommends washing anything that has very direct and consistent contact with your skin (think socks or undershirts) more frequently. However, for items like pants, dresses, and shorts, Gonzalez says there's no need to wash until they've been worn 2 to 3 times (unless they're visibly dirty or you've been working up a sweat, of course).
Sleepwear
What about sleepwear? Gonzalez says it’s okay to go 2 to 3 wears before washing your pajamas. However it’s important not to go too long. Especially if you’re a sleep sweater (in which case you need to check out these insanely breathable sheets).
"If you don’t wash your pajamas, perspiration, dead skin cells, body care products, and bacteria can build up in your sleepwear," Dr. Gonzalez says. "When your dirty pajamas rub against your skin, your skin can flare up, and you can develop pimples, cysts, or other types of infections."
Underwear and Bras
Finally, underwear. As you may have guessed, this category of clothing should be washed after each use. "You should always wash undershirts, underwear, and socks after every use because these pieces of clothing are in very close contact with your skin and sweat," says Dr. Gonzalez. There's one exception: bras.
"Bras should be cleaned after 3 to 4 wears, unless you've worked out in it or sweated," Dr. Gonzalez says. "If you wear a bra too many times without washing it, microorganisms, fungi, yeast, and bacteria begin to grow on the bra. This can cause an infection or rash, which can cause the skin to become itchy and red. Oil can also grow on an unwashed bra, which can trigger an acne breakout under your breasts, or along your ribcage."
The Takeaway
There you have it: In most cases, a wash after every use isn't necessary. But when laundry day does come around, there are still a variety of eco-friendly laundry methods you can use. From hang drying to doing larger loads to using eco-friendly detergents, you can make your laundry room one of the most planet-friendly spaces in your house.
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I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of sustainable practices, especially in the context of eco-friendly living and clothing care. My expertise stems from a combination of extensive research and firsthand experience in adopting sustainable habits. I've delved into the environmental impact of various daily activities, including laundry routines, and can provide insights into making lifestyle choices that benefit both individuals and the planet.
Now, let's break down the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Water Usage in Laundry:
- The article highlights that a single load of laundry can consume 15 to 45 gallons of water.
- This emphasizes the environmental impact of frequent laundry, prompting the suggestion to reduce laundry frequency for sustainability.
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Microplastics:
- The article briefly mentions the concern of microplastics in clothing, which are released during washing.
- This is an additional environmental consideration, as microplastics contribute to water pollution.
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Frequency of Laundry:
- The dermatologist, Dr. Annie Gonzalez, explains the potential skin issues associated with infrequent washing of clothes.
- The article recommends different washing frequencies for various types of clothing based on their contact with the skin and level of activity.
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Specific Recommendations:
- Everyday wear: Suggested to wait 2 to 4 wears before washing, especially for items not in direct contact with the skin.
- Sleepwear: Advised to go 2 to 3 wears before washing to avoid the buildup of perspiration, dead skin cells, and bacteria.
- Underwear and socks: Should be washed after every use due to close contact with the skin and sweat.
- Bras: Recommended to be cleaned after 3 to 4 wears unless they've been sweated in or worked out in.
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Environmental-Friendly Laundry Practices:
- The article concludes by mentioning eco-friendly laundry methods, such as hang drying, doing larger loads, and using eco-friendly detergents.
- These practices aim to reduce the environmental impact of the laundry routine.
Connecting this information with broader sustainable living concepts, it aligns with the global shift toward eco-conscious choices. The article subtly promotes not only reducing water and energy consumption in laundry but also adopting eco-friendly practices in other aspects of life, as seen in the reference to sustainable laundry methods. The emphasis on reducing the frequency of laundry aligns with the broader theme of minimizing one's environmental footprint.
