Let’s be honest, most of us don’t really have a set rule when it comes to laundry. In fact most of us have the same rule; “if we have finally run out of things to wear or use it’s time to do the laundry” This means the lots of our stuff gets washed way too often and other things probably not enough. Perhaps you have recently picked up some bedding, a towel or some clothes, done the obligatory sniff and are now unsure and asking yourself, should this have gone in the wash already? So how often should you wash clothes, bedding and towels in a normal UK home without overdoing it or leaving it too long?
Doing your washing is one of those background tasks of everyday life. We wear our clothes, use our towels and spend as much time as we can sleeping (or scrolling) in our bed as we can. It’s only when something looks dirty or has that dreaded smell that it goes from the background to the front of our minds.
So to stop these tasks suddenly jumping up on us or to avoid everything piling up in the basket it’s good to ask the question; how often should you actually be washing your clothes, bedding and towels? The answer? It depends…. that is because there is no one size fits all generic answers, there are however some simple guidelines that can make a big difference to how fresh your home feels and how long your fabrics last whether its clothes towels or bedding. So let’s take in one by one and jump in to the question, how Often Should You Wash Clothes, Bedding and Towels?
How Often Should You Wash Your Clothes?
Firstly question right back at you is what piece of clothing are you talking about? When it comes to clothes, it really depends on what you’re wearing and how often you’re wearing it. Those every day items like underwear, socks and if you are lucky to have the energy and need for gym wear, well these should be washed after each use, that one’s pretty straightforward. T-shirts and tops are usually worn once or twice before needing a wash, especially if they’ve been worn all day. When thinking about how often you should wash clothes, bedding and towels, clothes are usually the easiest place to start.
Other items like your favourite nice fitting pair of jeans, those snuggly jumpers and nice coats can go much longer between washes. In fact, this is where people often go wrong, washing these items too often can and will actually wear them out quicker! A good rule of thumb is: Wash them when they start to lose their freshness rather than automatically throwing them in after every wear.
If you’re ever unsure do a quick check… Does it smell fine? Does it look clean? Then it’s likely okay for another wear. If you answer any of those, pop it in the wash basket.
How Often Should You Wash Your Clothes?
Firstly, what type of clothes are we talking about?
Everyday items like underwear, socks and gym wear (if you have the energy for excise, seriously how? We would love to know!) should be washed after each use, that one’s straightforward. T-shirts and tops can usually be worn once or twice before needing a wash, especially if worn all day.
Other items like jeans, jumpers and coats can go much longer between washes. Washing them too often can actually wear them out quicker, especially if they’re made from cotton or heavier fabrics. A good rule of thumb is to wash them when they lose their freshness rather than automatically throwing them in the washing machine after every wear.
If you’re unsure, a quick check usually tells you everything you need to know. If it looks clean and smells fine, it’s probably good for another wear.
How Often Should You Wash Bedding?
When it comes to how often you should wash bedding, this is one people often get wrong, and usually it’s not washing it enough.
Your bedding, and by this we mean your duvet cover, the pillowcases and the fitted sheet (or if you know how to use one a non fitted sheet, seriously how do you fold those corners???) is used every single day. So as the days of the week pas it collects sweat, skin and general build-up, even if you can’t see it.
A good guide is to wash your bed linen once a week, or at the very least every two weeks. If you leave it much longer, things can start to feel less fresh, even if it’s not immediately obvious.
It’s important to note too that if you’ve been unwell, it’s been warm or you tend to overheat at night, washing more regularly is a good idea. As explained by a microbiologist writing in The Independent, your bed may look clean but it can quickly become a place where “microbes, allergens, mites and irritants build up fast” if bedding isn’t washed regularly
And I think we can all agree that fresh bedding is one of those simple things that is actually one of life’s greatest pleasures! So it’s definitely worth staying on top of and using the washing machine that one extra time. Even if that means you have to climb inside the duvet cover to actually put it back on. Yes we have all been there.
How Often Should You Wash Towels?
The same as bedding towels should be washed regularly! When thinking about how often you should wash towels, this is another area where people often leave it too long. And sadly we do often leave them that bit too long until we get that well known whiff!
But you might be thinking; I use them when i’m clean, so they stay clean right? Right? Wrong! Towels do get dirty from clean bodies, its because they hold onto moisture, and that’s exactly what bacteria likes. Bathroom towels, hand towels and even bath mats can all start to build up moisture and odours if left too long and kept away from the washing machine.
A good rule is to wash bath towels every 3 to 4 uses. Hand towels should be washed more frequently, especially in busy households where multiple people are using them throughout the day. Face cloths should ideally be washed after each use.
Making sure your towels dry properly between uses also makes a big difference. Hanging them up properly instead of leaving them in a pile helps them stay fresher for longer. Advice from Which? also highlights the importance of letting towels fully dry to reduce bacteria build-up. They say noted that NHS guidance recommends washing towels and household linen at 60°C to help prevent the spread of germs.
Signs You’re Not Washing Things Enough
Sometimes it’s not about sticking to a strict schedule, it’s about spotting the signs. If you notice things like towels smelling slightly damp, bedding not feeling as fresh or clothes losing their freshness quicker than usual, it’s probably time to get them in the washing machine. You might also notice colours starting to look dull or fabrics not feeling as comfortable as they should.
When a Laundry Service Actually Makes Sense
Keeping on top of laundry sounds simple, but it takes time. Between work, family and everything else, it’s one of those jobs that can easily build up.
That’s where using a laundry service can make a real difference. Instead of trying to stay on top of everything yourself, you can have it handled regularly so it never piles up in the first place.
If you’re in the Cheshire area and are finding it difficult to keep up or just want to make life a bit easier, take a look at our Pristine Clean Laundry Services & Prices page or see how it works on our Pristine Clean Laundry How It Works page.
