How Often Should You Wash Your Clothes?

Did you know that you are actually damaging your clothes when you wash or dry clean them? 

{photo via Popsugar}

It stands to reason, right? The more you wash something the more it wears out. Especially if you dry everything. You know how full that lint catcher in the dryer can get. That lint is actually pieces of your clothing. Duh. You knew that already, right? So why do most women still continue to over wash and dry their clothes? My advice to you is to stop doing it and read my tips below in order make your clothes last longer:

1.) Never dry your bras or undies. Consider never drying anything completely. Put them in the dryer for 5-8 minutes max, and then take them out and hang to dry. Hang them on a drying rack like the one below. Don't have one? You can find one at Target.

2.) You don't need to wash your jeans every time you wear them. Only wash them every 4th or 5th wear. And when you do wash your jeans, make sure you turn them wrong side out and wash and rinse in cold water. This will help to keep their original color.

{Talbots Breakwater Wash Boyfriend Jeans}

3.) Wash your bra's and shape wear after 3 or 4 wears. Some women might want to wash them more often if they sweat more, but if you just have an ordinary day, you don't need to wash it right away. 

{Victoria's Secret PINK T-Shirt Bra}

4.) Dresses, pants and skirts can be worn up to 7 times without washing or dry cleaning, depending on how messy you are. Try to dry clean suit pieces at the same time so that one piece doesn't become more faded than the other. 

5.) Fleece and sweatshirts/sweatpants can be worn up to 7 times without washing. When you do wash turn them wrong side out and hang to dry for best results.

6.) T- Shirts and whites should be washed after every wear.

7.) Wash wool coats 1-2 times a season

8.) Wash dresses and blouses after 1-3 times of wear. Have formal dresses dry cleaned after every wear to preserve them

9.) Pj's should be washed every 3-4 wears but more often if you sweat a lot at night. 

10.) Shorts and twill pants can be washed after 2-3 wears. These items tend to show smears and smudges sooner than other garments so you might have to wash them more often. 

11.) Swimsuits should be washed after every wear because sunscreens can damage the fabric.

12.) Leather and suede should be cleaned once a season.

13.) Yoga pants and leggings should be washed every 1-3 wears depending on if you are actually working out in them or just lounging in them.

14.) Jackets and blazers should be washed or dry-cleaned every 5-7 wears.

15.) Cotton, silk and cashmere sweaters should be washed every 2-3 wears. Wool sweaters can go for up to 5 wears. 

*TIP: Be sure to check the labels on all of your clothing to determine HOW your clothing should be cleaned before you clean them.