Wondering how often to wash your clothes and bedding? Here’s a quick guide: underwear, socks, and workout gear need washing after every wear; everyday items like t-shirts, dresses, and shorts after 1–2 wears; jeans, sweaters, and pajamas after 3–4 wears; and blazers or formal wear as needed. Bedding ranges from pillowcases monthly to duvets every few months. Use simple tricks like hooks for half-clean clothes, a 3-bin hamper system, and the sniff test to keep track between washes and extend the life of your garments. Here is a quick printable for this list. How Often to Wash Your Clothes PDF
Underwear & Socks → Wash after every wear
Workout Clothes → Wash after every wear
Occupation Clothes → Trades, Fastfood, Daycare, etc after every wear
T-Shirts, Tops, Dress Shirts, Dresses, Skirts, Blouses, Shorts, → Wash after 1–2 wears
Bras → Wash after 2–3 wears, let rest between uses (but every time after workout)
Jeans/Denim → Wash after 3-4 wears (or sooner if dirty/smelly)
Sweaters → Wash after 3-4 wears (shorter if nothing under, longer if layered)
Pajamas → Wash after 3–4 wears (more often if sweaty, sick, or no shower before bed)
Bed Sheets & Pillowcases → Wash monthly
Duvets/Comforters → Wash every 3–4 months
Blazers & Dress Pants → Wash/Dry Clean after 5–7 wears or if stained/odorous
Formal Wear (suits, gowns) → Wash/Dry Clean as needed (based on stains/odors)
Jackets & Coats → Wash seasonally or as needed
Hats, Gloves, Scarves → Wash seasonally (or when visibly dirty. Weekly for kids)
Tips for Clothes Between Washes
✅ Hooks or a “half-clean” section → Keep a designated spot in the closet or on hooks for clothes that have been worn once but can be worn again. (like airing out bras)
✅ 3-bin system → Use hampers or crates labeled:
- Dirty
- Wear Again
- Multiple Wears (like jeans, sweaters, blazers).
✅ Sniff test → Before hanging back up, check armpits/collars for odor. If it passes, it can stay in the “wear again” area..
✅ Rotate → Move “wear again” items forward so they don’t get forgotten or mixed with freshly laundered clothes.