How Often Should You Do Laundry?

Laundry. It never ends. It's easy to see laundry as a vast, infinite-stretching conveyor belt of messy clothes, but how often should you wash things? Too much, and you’re left with faded colors, worn-out fabrics, and sky-high energy bills. Too little, and you risk breakouts, odors, and worse. Striking a balance is key, so wash what truly needs it, skip what doesn’t, and build a habit that saves money, protects your skin, and keeps your clothes fresh for longer. 

How Frequently Should I Wash My Clothes?

Are you a sniff test kind of person? A manic washer with an intensity that borders on extremism? Or a solid one, wash-a-week kind of person, come rain or shine? We've all got our opinions, but the truth is, there’s no single rule because we all live differently and have our own cleaning schedules. Some sweat buckets every day at the gym, others sit behind a laptop eight hours straight in a temperate cooling climate of 24°C. If you work outside or have kids, you’ll likely wash far more than someone in a minimalist flat with barely a stain in sight.

A practical rule that may sound absurdly obvious is that clothes touching bare skin need more frequent washing, while items layered on top can go longer between washes. And remember: your nose is your friend. If you catch a whiff of anything questionable, it’s time for a cycle. Otherwise, you can probably wait another wear or two. This saves water, energy, and detergent sheets, keeping fabrics in better shape.

Speaking of smart choices, Freddie’s pre-measured detergent sheets dissolve easily in cool water, with no spills, and an ingredients list free of harmful chemicals such as phosphates, brighteners, parabens, dyes, and 1,4-dioxane.

Plus, you’ll spend less time fussing over laundry piles, which nobody wants hanging over their head all week.

Different Clothes Require Different Wash Schedules

How Often Should You Wash Underwear?

Every. Single. Time. No debate, regardless of what your friend might say about getting four days out of his boxer shorts by turning them inside out and back to front. 

Underwear collects sweat and bacteria throughout the day, so re-wearing is a fast track to irritation or worse. What's more, it's also one of the most unpleasant smells that will leave you getting a wide berth from people at work. 

How Often Should You Wash Bras?

Every 3–4 wears unless you’ve had a sweaty day, but that doesn't necessarily mean wearing the same one for 4 days. Overwashing ruins the elastic, which gives bras their fit, so consider rotating a few to keep them fresher between washes.

How Often Should You Wash Socks?

Every wear. Like underwear, socks absorb sweat and bacteria, which can lead to odor and discomfort if re-worn. Therefore, you’ll need to wash your socks after every wear to keep them hygienic. 

How Often Should You Wash Jeans?

Usually after 4–5 wears. Denim is tough and actually benefits from less frequent washing, which helps keep the fibers strong, prevents shrinking, and preserves the wash color. If they look fine and don’t stink, keep them going.

How Often Should You Wash T-Shirts?

One wear if it goes directly on your skin, especially in warm weather. If you layered over a base tee, you might stretch to 2–3 wears, but it's all about how much sweat and skin contact it had, more than a simple day count. Again, don't be afraid to give it a quick sniff. 

How Often Should You Wash Pajamas?

Every 3–4 wears if you shower before bed and sleep in a cool, clean space. If you sweat at night or sleep with pets, bump that up. Fresh sheets plus fresh pajamas = happy skin.

How Often Should You Wash Towels?

Every 3–4 uses. Always hang them up properly to fully dry; a soggy towel is a breeding ground for mold. If you have skin sensitivities, consider washing towels even more often.

How Often Should You Wash Bedsheets?

Aim for weekly. Think about it: you spend roughly a third of your life under those sheets. Sweat, skin flakes, and dust mites pile up fast, so a seven-day schedule is a safe bet. We probably all remember those days as young adults, perhaps at college when sheets would go months without washing. All we'll say is, just think about what's on those sheets. 

How Often Should You Wash Jackets and Coats?

Once or twice a season, unless they get stained or soaked. Spot cleaning goes a long way, especially for wool or anything with a delicate lining.

How Often Should You Wash Athletic Wear?

Every single wear. These fabrics hold sweat and bacteria tighter than you’d believe, so it's not worth risking odor or breakouts by skipping the wash.

Washing Too Often Can Wear Out Your Clothes

Going overboard can ruin good clothes faster than dirt. Here’s why:

Elastic Breakdown in Underwear and Sports Bras

Frequent hot washes and aggressive cycles can break down elastic, reducing shape and support over time. You’ll lose shape, support, and bounce in no time. Once the elastic goes, those items simply don’t fit right anymore, leaving you tugging, adjusting, or replacing them sooner than you’d like. Gentle cycles and air drying can make a surprising difference in extending their lifespan.

Color Fade in Jeans and T-Shirts

Heat and agitation strip dye fast. That bold blue pair of jeans? Frequent washing can fade the color and dull the finish. Cold water preserves color better and slows the fade, keeping your favorite styles vibrant for longer. Turning garments inside out before washing helps shield the surface from friction and wear.

Fraying and Pilling in Knitwear

Sweaters get battered in the machine, and too many spins rub fibers into fuzzy pills or even holes. Gentle washes and skipping unnecessary cycles save your knits so they stay soft, smooth, and wearable for years. It’s also smart to pop them into a mesh laundry bag to minimize snagging and stretching.

Shrinking and Warping

Repeated high-heat cycles twist seams, shrink cotton, and warp blended fabrics. That means your carefully chosen fit might turn into a misshapen disappointment. Wash less often and on a cooler cycle to slow the damage, and skip the tumble dryer when possible. Air drying on a rack is kinder to your clothes and helps them hold their shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Does the Average Person Do Laundry?

Most people wash once or twice per week, but it varies wildly by lifestyle. Big families? Probably daily. Solo city-dwellers? Weekly is more than enough if you’ve got enough rotation.

How Many Days a Week Should You Do Laundry?

For a typical household, once or twice a week is the sweet spot. If you work out a lot or have kids, you may find yourself doing a quick load midweek to keep things under control. To save money, try to do cooler washes when you can.

Is It Okay To Do Laundry Once a Month?

For things like coats or drapes? Absolutely. But for items touching your skin like underwear, pants, etc., you must wash after every wear or at least weekly. Monthly would be pushing hygiene limits, so aim to stick to a proper laundry routine.

Smart Laundry Habits Support Cleaner Clothes and Longer-Lasting Wardrobes

Smarter, consistent laundry routines make life easier. Pick one or two weekly laundry days to prevent panic loads, and wash in cold water whenever you can, as it saves energy, prevents color fade, and is easier on fabrics. Always run full loads to avoid wasting detergent or water, and keep your appliances in good shape with a monthly clean to boost their efficiency.

And the detergent? That matters, too. If you’re tired of bulky plastic jugs, sticky caps, or detergent spills, there’s a better way. Freddie’s dermatologist-tested laundry detergent sheets come in pre-measured, mess-free sheets that dissolve easily in cool water. They’re packaged in recyclable cardboard, so you can cut down on single-use plastic and stop fighting with drippy bottles. Just toss a sheet in the machine and get on with your day.