5 Things You’re Laundering Way Too Often (and Might Be Ruining)

We all have only 24 hours in a day, and it’s safe to say most of us would rather not spend any more time doing laundry than we absolutely have to. But is there anything you can really do to cut down on laundry time? It turns out there is. You might be wasting time washing things you don’t really need to wash. So, what can you cut back on? Here are five things you’re probably laundering too often.

Bras

Washing bras can be a chore because they require handwashing or, at the very least, the delicate cycle, a mesh bag, and air drying. But you don’t have to go through this process quite as often as you think. According to Bridget Moillner, co-founder and COO of intimatewear brand Iteration, you’re probably overwashing your bras.  “Many wear an everyday bra only once before throwing it in the laundry pile,” she says. “Consider wearing your bra 2 to 3 times before laundering to extend its life. Give your bra a day or two to rest in between wears. This helps the elastics regain their shape.”

Not only will this cut down on laundry time, but washing your bras less often makes them last longer, which can save you money, too. “The washing and drying can be detrimental because the hot water, hot dryer cycles, and bleach that are often used when laundering undergarments can cause the elastics and fibers in the fabrics to break down faster,” Moillner adds.

Towels

Washing your towels too often can make them fade faster and need to be replaced sooner than you’d probably like. This is frustrating because towels can be expensive. “Many people wash their towels after every use, even though they can often last several uses before needing a wash,” says Alicia Sokolowski, President and CEO of AspenClean. “Towels can retain moisture, which leads to mildew and fading when washed too often.”

So, how often should you wash your towels? She advises every 3 to 4 uses. However, there are exceptions to this rule. If a towel is soiled, smells unpleasant, or someone in the home is sick, feel free to throw it in the washing machine a little sooner than you normally would. 

Activewear

Did you go to barre class and barely break a sweat? What about a restorative yoga session that involves a lot of time in Shavasana? While you might be tempted to throw your leggings, sports bra, and top in the laundry basket immediately after coming home, it turns out that it’s highly unnecessary, according to Sokolowski.

“Clothes worn for exercise can be worn a few times before washing,” she says. “Overwashing can break down the performance fabrics.”

Keep in mind that if you do get incredibly sweaty (such as after an intense spin class or hot Pilates), you probably don’t want to wear your activewear again before washing it. But if you barely broke a sweat or just wore your new bicycle shorts to walk around the mall, you’re probably fine to wear them once or twice more.

Jeans

There’s nothing like wearing your favorite jeans. They go with everything and probably make you feel extra confident. But if you want them to last—keep them out of the washing machine. Dr. Pete He, co-founder and chief scientist of Dirty Labs, says overwashing your jeans fades the color, weakens the fabric, makes them lose their shape, and reduces their lifespan. He recommends washing jeans every 4 to 6 wears or when they’re visibly dirty.

Sheets And Bedding

“While it’s important to wash sheets regularly, washing them weekly is often too much for most people unless there are health concerns or high amounts of sweat,” Sokolowski says.

She recommends washing your bedding every 1 to 2 weeks. However, if someone is sick, you may need to do it more often—or at the very least try to swap out your pillowcases for clean ones.