You may be spending too much time in the laundry room — and it could mean you are wasting your money. From towels to khakis to comforters, we found out the truth about just how often you really need to wash your stuff from the laundry expert at Consumer Reports. And we hate to break it to you but you’ve likely been doing laundry all wrong!
The average family does about 300 loads of laundry per year — that’s about five loads every week! Yes, things with stains, sweat, dirt and anything that doesn’t pass the sniff test are thrown into the wash. But Consumer Reports Laundry Expert Rich Handel said it’s the other everyday items you may be washing more often than you need to — or maybe not enough.
Item-by-item: How often to wash
Let’s start with your bedding. Handel said it’s not necessary to wash your comforter every single week — unless your pet sleeps on the bed. If that’s the case, he says every three weeks will do the job. But don’t go too much longer. Things we can’t see can accumulate, like dust mites, bacteria, and dead skin cells that can trigger allergies and skin irritation.
CONSUMER REPORTS: How to wash a comforter
Sheets are another matter. Handel said you do need to wash them every five to seven days — sooner if you or someone is sick.
When it comes to towels, and fears they could become dank and moldy, there’s a simple fix so you don’t have to wash it after every use.
“Don’t throw it on the floor. Hang it up. If you allow it to dry in between, you won’t have to wash it as often. We generally suggest three to five days,” said Handel.
But underwear, socks, T-shirts, and especially gym clothes should be washed after each use.
“And don’t bunch them up in a bag and leave them there. It’ll become a science experiment,” Handel warned.
According to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), bras can be worn two or three times before washing. And if you give your bra a rest day in between wearing, it will give the elastic a chance to regain its shape.
But as for your bathing suits, ACI says wash after every wear.
But you can save some time and money when it comes to washing your pajamas. ACI says you can wear them three or four times. If you shower before you go to bed, you may get a few more nights out of them before it’s time to toss them in the washing machine.
What about khakis and dress shirts? Handel says unless stained or sweaty — or you don’t wear undergarments — save yourself the trouble and wash them after wearing them three times. And if it’s a pair of jeans — he says you may be able to wear them even longer without washing.
And don’t forget — how you sort your laundry is key. Consumer Reports recommends washing heavily soiled items separately from lightly soiled ones, separating whites from colors, and treating stains before you throw them in the wash.
Top-tested detergent
To get those stains out, use those tested by Consumer Reports. Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release, Tide Oxi, and Persil Pro Clean Stain Fighter earn top spots. These detergents tackled dirt and body oil, as well as tougher stains like grass and blood.
Consumer Reports says if tough stains aren’t a routine occurrence in your home and you’re looking for better value, consider Kirkland signature Ultra Clean Liquid from Costco.
Whichever detergent you choose, don’t overdo it.
5 things Consumer Reports’ laundry expert would NEVER do
The amount of detergent you use is the perfect segue into the five things Consumer Reports’ Laundry Expert Rich Handel says he would NEVER do:
- NEVER use too much detergent: “I’d never use more than the minimum amount of laundry detergent for most medium loads. Now that detergent is concentrated, using too much can leave residue on your clothes. Save your money and use the minimum amount.”
- NEVER use fabric softener: “I’d never use fabric softener—it’s a waste of money. Not only can it irritate sensitive skin, but it can also leave a layer of residue on your clothes and reduce the absorption of your towels.”
- NEVER strip laundry in the bathtub: “I wouldn’t strip my laundry in the bathtub. You can get the same results with your washing machine with a lot less work and mess. Just use the extra rinse, or rinse-and-spin cycle, without detergent to help remove any extra debris from your clothing.”
- NEVER put stained clothing in the dryer before the stain is removed: “I’d never put stained clothes into the dryer until I’m 100% sure the stain is out. The heat from the dryer sets the stain and you lose your chance to get that stain out.”
- NEVER overstuff the washing machine: “I’d never overstuff my washing machine. It doesn’t allow the clothes and the detergent to circulate. Same for the dryer—overstuffing it doesn’t allow the air to circulate among the load.”