This Is How Often You Should Wash Everything in Your Wardrobe

Do you feel like you’re constantly doing laundry? It could be because you’re washing your garments way too frequently.

It’s tempting to wear something once and throw it in the wash – we all want to leave the house smelling and looking fresh, after all. But to properly look after our threads, they each need their own care and attention.

Overwashing is bad news for the integrity of our clothing, our energy bills and the environment. According to Electrolux, up to 700,000 microfibres are released from a single load of laundry, which then find their way back into the ocean. If you tend to do frequent cycles with only a small amount of clothing in each, a simple solution is to wait until your laundry piles up a bit more before packing the machine. This doesn’t mean overloading though, fill your washing machine around three-quarters full to best make use of the wash.

Our number one piece of advice? Always read the care label for each individual piece of clothing. Check which detergent to use, what temperature and cycle to set the machine to, whether dry cleaning or handwashing is necessary and whether the item can be tumble-dried.

As well as the material type, washing frequency completely depends on the item. Gym clothes will need much more frequent washing than a pair of jeans, for example. Or, if something is worn in hot weather, or close to the body, it will need much more cleaning than an overgarment.

In general, spot washing is the way to go – your best bet for keeping your clothes stain-free is tending to marks as soon as they happen. You’ll get way more wear out of your wardrobe if you tackle individual stains rather than tossing the whole piece in the washing machine.

Here is our detailed (but non-exhaustive) run-down of how much attention 12 of the most common materials that make up our wardrobes need to extend their lifespan and maintain their quality.

Acrylic

A synthetic fibre that is lightweight, soft, and often used as a wool substitute in knitwear. It’s usually quite stain and odour resistant compared with natural fibres. Wash these items every three to four wears or whenever you notice any musty smells or stains.

Bamboo

Made from bamboo pulp, this textile is naturally antimicrobial and moisture-wicking. Antibacterial properties reduce the need for frequent washing and keep clothes fresh for longer, so these items can last six to eight wears between washes

Cashmere

A type of wool made from the coat of cashmere goats, this is a natural material known for its softness and great insulation. Cashmere knits usually need to be washed every three to four wears. For occasionally worn jumpers, once or twice per season is fine.

Cotton

Mainly composed of cellulose, cotton is spun into yarn that’s then woven to create a soft, durable fabric. Depending on how soiled the garment is, cotton clothing should be washed every two to three wears.

Lace

A delicate patterned fabric originally made from silk and linen, and now more commonly made from cotton or synthetic thread. For most lace garments, you can wash them every two to four wears, preferably hand-washed in cold or warm (never hot) water.

Linen

It will come as no surprise that this is our favourite material. Linen is an extremely strong and lightweight fabric made from the flax plant. It’s also incredibly absorbent and breathable, making it ideal for hot climates. Because of its moisture-wicking and odour resistant properties, you can wash linen clothing every three to four wears unless it’s visibly dirty or starts to smell. Remember to use a gentle liquid detergent and line dry your garments.

Lycra

Also known as spandex or elastane, lycra is a synthetic fibre that is usually blended with several types of fibres to add stretch. Tight-fitting workout gear requires a wash after every use, but for looser items, every two to three wears should be fine. Check the label to see the amount of elastane the garment contains, if it's more than 5%, wash in warm rather than hot water to avoid it becoming misshapen.

Polyester

A synthetic fibre created from petrochemicals, polyester is not very breathable or absorbent, but it is durable. Tight clothing will likely need to be washed after each use, but looser fitting items can be laundered every three to four wears. You can also use a steamer to remove impurities between washes.

Silk

A soft, shiny natural fibre, silk is very durable and strong. Depending on the age of the fabric, you can wash looser silk items after two to three wears unless it needs freshening and stain removal. For special garments, you may want to go to a dry cleaner to avoid any fading.

Velvet

A fabric with a soft and shiny appearance that was initially made from silk and now commonly made from cotton, linen, wool, mohair, and synthetic fibres. Garments made from this material will usually need to be sent to the dry cleaner as it’s susceptible to heat damage, but if you need to wash it at home, wash it by hand only when it really needs it. Never use a tumble dryer or iron directly on velvet.

Viscose

A semi-synthetic type of rayon made from wood pulp, usually used as a silk substitute. Viscose is soft and breathable but does not trap odours as much as some synthetic fabrics, so you’ll likely only need to wash it every three to four wears.

Wool

Known for its warmth, elasticity, and heat retention, wool is ideal for cold-weather. For items you use frequently, consider washing every four to six wears or every few months if the garment is only worn every now and then.