Take our quiz To discover how frequently you should wash your clothes - and how often other readers do it. Plus, find out if the experts see eye to eye with your routine.
than necessary.
There are, however, other factors at play that cause us to keep chucking clothes into the laundry basket after a single wear. One thing is that we all now have so many clothes, making it easy for us to put on an entirely different outfit every morning.
Our great-grandparents didn't have many clothes, so would make everything last as long as possible - at least until laundry day.
Tours of immaculately organised bespoke laundry rooms have become a popular feature on social media.
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On top of all the single-use plastic and the chemical burden from synthetic fragrance, brightness enhancers and the like, there's the harm caused by fragments of synthetic fibres entering the marine environment.
6.#6 Avoid over-drying or drying clothes too frequently, as this can shrink or lose elasticity over time.
The simplest method is “airing out” – leaving clothes outside the wardrobe for 24 hours after wearing. Clothing that is hung includes tailored trousers, dresses, blouses, and skirt suits; anything that is knitted or a T-shirt is draped over a chair. Any lingering smells usually completely fade away after this.
If they don't, give the garment a spritz of deodorising spray. (The Clothes Doctor did wonders recently on a rather pungent vintage dress I'd acquired.)
(Pricing starts at about £20), is a real game changer. A targeted burst of magic steam will refresh any garment, removing stale smells and smoothing out creases without requiring a trip to the washing machine or the ironing board. Steaming destroys 96 per cent of bacteria and doesn't release any microfibres into the water system.
Wringing out unsightly marks on any item of clothing can be done by gently dabbing with a damp sponge. As natural sponges possess antimicrobial properties, they make a more suitable choice. Allow the garment to dry before returning it to the wardrobe.
A proper clothes brush (those things parents used to have...) with natural bristles is a quick way to get rid of loose dust and debris, as well as more visible dried mud and smudged makeup.
Is dry cleaning necessary?
No. Traditional dry cleaning uses chemicals that release toxins into the air and water supply. There are modern dry cleaners which use eco-friendly techniques, but mainly we can do enough ourselves.
Mortram says the exceptions are: "If something is very delicate, with beading or sequins, of great value and expense, or holds sentimental worth, then take it to the cleaners."
Is it ever acceptable to use a tumble dryer?
But there are times, like this wet summer, when there's little alternative if you want to dry towels (and of course, it does make them fluffier…). Normally, though, use any other method of drying first.
Best washing product choices
Liquid laundry detergent should be banned. It’s an enormous 90 per cent water – weighing a kilogram per litre – that's being moved around in diesel trucks, packaged in disposable plastic containers. Lead the campaign against it. Inform your friends. There are more effective alternatives available.
Laundry pods are a more nuanced issue, it seems. Research has found that the water-soluble polymer (PVA) that they are encased in releases a toxic by-product which gets into the water system and causes harm to marine life. Some argue, however, that it's a more intricate matter and further investigation is required to reach a definitive view.
Surprisingly, the seemingly eco-friendly laundry sheets also contain PVA.
What's the best option? The Good Housekeeping Institute says that old-fashioned boxed laundry powder is really good at getting rid of stains. It's a great value for money - I recommend trying the own-brand version from Lidl - and even though it's a bit heavy, you can reuse the cardboard box by recycling it or composting it. Just remember not to use too much of it with each load.
Although the egg itself is plastic, each pack of mineral pellets provides up to 70 washes, which are gentle on sensitive skin and delicate fabrics, and then you buy refills. It has excellent reviews on the Lakeland website, a Mecca for serious homeowners.
Specialised liquid washes
It's worth considering for delicate items like silk and cashmere, as well as activewear made from moisture-wicking fabrics (avoid using fabric conditioner on these types of items). Opt for products that come in recyclable packaging or offer refill options.
Fabric conditioner
This is a contentious issue, comprising some 90 per cent water in single-use plastic bottles and often laced with a considerable amount of chemical colour and fragrance. White vinegar with drops of lavender oil works wonderfully well, or there are more environmentally friendly alternatives (see below).
Stain removal
For that utterly perfect 1950s suburban housewife image, you might use oxygen bleach, or sodium percarbonate – the base of all branded stain-removing powders – which is harmless to health, but shops only sell it in plastic containers, with plastic spoons. Purchase it in paper packaging from your local health foods store or refill shop and store it in an old pickle jar.
How frequently do you wash your clothes - and how often ideally you should?
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What the washing experts have to say about your cleaning habits
The household advice editor offers guidance that is in line with general wisdom, such as cleaning one's pants every day and towels every three to four uses.
What really surprised me is the bed linen. Mortram claims you can get away with changing bed sheets after two weeks, which shocked me (the thought of it is horrific!) until I read on that you can keep sheets fresher for longer by airing the bed with the covers thrown back for a couple of hours every day before making it.
There is a notion that sounds logical, advocating for laundering clothes as infrequently as feasible, and instead opting for alternative methods to keep them clean between wearings.
Lulu O'Connor established her company, Clothes Doctor, with the aim of encouraging people to develop a sense of pride in properly caring for their clothing so it can last longer – and reducing how often they wash their clothes is an integral part of that process. It is true that O'Connor advises against washing certain things under any circumstances.
“Things that are worn next to the skin often require washing more frequently,” she says, “although the frequency does vary with the season, but we recommend only washing jeans occasionally. Consider using a deodorising spray to keep them fresh for up to 30 wears. Alternatively, if you want to reduce their size, use a hand-held steamer to re-shape them.”
She particularly recommends steaming synthetic fabrics, rather than washing them immediately, in order to reduce the release of polluting microfibres.
When it comes to the things you have to wash that go against your skin, O'Connor is keen on giving them a quick spot-cleaning with an oxygen bleach stain remover before putting them in the machine, that way you can use a lower temperature wash. With this extra TLC, she never uses a cycle hotter than 30 degrees.
She recommends placing a bowl of water under the affected area, applying a stain remover on top, and allowing it to soak for approximately one hour or overnight,
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