Doing laundry is a never-ending chore. No matter how often you do it, it seems like the dirty clothes basket is always full again in no time. So how many times a week should you really be doing laundry? The answer depends on several factors.
How Often Should You Wash Clothes?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should be washing clothes. Here are some general guidelines:
- Every 2-3 days – For families with kids, especially young kids prone to messes and stains, washing every 2-3 days may be necessary.
- Twice a week – For most individuals or couples, washing clothes twice a week is sufficient.
- Once a week – Singles or couples who don’t often wear their clothes more than once before washing can usually get by with weekly laundry.
But in reality, how often you should wash clothes depends on these factors:
1. Number of People in Household
The more people you have living in your home, the more laundry you can expect to do. More people means more clothes being worn and dirtied on a daily basis. Here is a general guide based on household size:
| Household Size | Recommended Laundry Frequency |
|---|---|
| 1 person | Every 5-7 days |
| 2 people | Every 3-5 days |
| 3-4 people | Twice a week |
| 5+ people | 2-3 times per week |
2. Presence of Children
Any household with babies and children will need to wash clothes more frequently. Babies spit up and have blowouts. Toddlers and kids spread germs, get food all over themselves, and often wipe dirty hands on their clothes. Their clothes need to be washed after just one or two wears.
3. Pets
Furry family members also increase the laundry load. Dogs and cats spread pet hair and dirt on furniture, towels, blankets, and clothing. Wash any items they lay on at least weekly.
4. Your Lifestyle
Think about your daily habits and lifestyle. Are you an active person who works out and sweats daily? Do you have a job where you get dirty or greasy? These factors dictate washing clothes more often. Here are suggested laundry frequencies based on lifestyle:
| Lifestyle | Laundry Frequency |
|---|---|
| Sedentary office job | Every 5-7 days |
| Active, frequent workouts | Every 2-3 days |
| Messy cooking or crafting | Twice a week |
| Yardwork, gardening, mechanics | Twice a week |
5. Fabric Type
Certain fabrics and clothing items need washing more frequently than others. Here are some guidelines:
- Delicates – Bras, swimsuit tops, spandex – wash after every wear
- Socks and underwear – wash after every 1-2 wears
- Towels – wash every 3-5 uses or weekly
- Sheets – wash every 1-2 weeks
- Jeans – can go 2-3 wears between washes
- Sweatshirts – wash every 2-3 wears
6. Weather and Time of Year
Hot summer weather causes us to sweat more, meaning clothes need washing more frequently. Changes in seasons also impact laundry habits. For example:
- In summer, wash clothes, sheets, and towels more often due to sweat and increased use.
- After being outdoors more in fall and spring, expect dirtier clothes that require more frequent washing.
- During cold winters when spending more time indoors, you may be able to scale back on laundry loads.
7. Allowing Clothes to Air Out
If clothes don’t have visible stains or smells, you may be able to let them air out rather than washing after every single wear. This depends on your daily habits, however.
For clothes worn in an air-conditioned office, 1-3 wears may be fine between washes. But workout clothes that absorb sweat should be washed more often. Taking clothes off as soon as you get home prevents odors from setting in too much. Then airing items out on a rack or hanger overnight allows smells to dissipate before wearing again.
Daily Laundry Habits
The average person generates about 40 pounds of laundry per year. That’s a lot of dirty clothes that need constant attention! Here are some daily laundry habits that can make managing the loads easier:
Sort Clothes Right Away
Don’t just toss clothes on the floor or into an overflowing hamper. Take a couple extra minutes when changing to sort and organize clothes right away. Separate by:
- Whites
- Lights
- Dark colors
- Delicates
- Towels and sheets
This makes laundry day smoother by eliminating time-consuming sorting later.
Wash Full Loads
Only run the washing machine when you have full loads ready to go. Avoid tossing in a couple stray items here and there. This wastes water and energy.
If you’re short on a full load, add hand towels, bath mats, or other laundry items to fill it out.
Use Shorter Cycles for Lightly Soiled Loads
Set your washer to the quick or express cycle for clothes that just need freshening up. This saves time and energy when clothes aren’t heavily soiled.
Air Dry When Possible
Cut down on dryer use by hanging clothes outside to dry when the weather allows. This reduces your energy bill, saves time spent folding, and helps clothes last longer.
Do Laundry During Off-Peak Hours
Run your washing machine and dryer at night or other off-peak times specified by your utility company. Doing laundry during peak afternoon and early evening hours can increase electric costs.
Laundry Schedule Example
Creating a consistent laundry schedule can ensure clothes don’t pile up out of control. Here is an example 2-week schedule for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids under 10).
| Day | Laundry Tasks |
|---|---|
| Monday | Wash kids’ clothes, towels, sheets |
| Tuesday | Wash adult work clothes, hand wash delicates |
| Wednesday | Wash kids’ clothes, towels, sheets |
| Thursday | Wash adult casual clothes |
| Friday | Catch up day – additional loads as needed |
| Saturday | Off |
| Sunday | Off |
This schedule tackles the family’s dirtiest clothes early in the week. Weekends are reserved for other chores, errands, and family time. Additionally:
- Delicates are hand washed mid-week.
- Sheets and towels are washed twice in the same loads with kids’ clothes to maximize efficiency.
- Adults’ work and casual clothes have separate days.
- Friday is kept open for anything that couldn’t get done earlier.
Tips for Easy Laundry
Laundry doesn’t have to control your life. Here are tips for making the never-ending chore just a bit easier:
Use Laundry Bags
Cut down on losing socks and delicate items in the wash by using mesh laundry bags. Toss socks, bras, and any small items prone to falling out of clothes into their own bag.
Roll Clothes Instead of Folding
Save time putting clothes away by rolling them up after drying rather than meticulously folding every item. This also prevents creases from forming.
Wrinkle Release Spray
Keep wrinkle release spray handy for smoothing out wrinkles in between washes, especially on clothes you hang up or air dry. A quick spritz can make items look crisp again.
Vinegar Fabric Softener
Skip the chemical-laden liquid fabric softeners. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle instead to naturally soften clothes and remove odors.
Stain Treat Right Away
Don’t let stains sit! As soon as you notice one, gently dab on a bit of stain remover stick or spray. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before washing as usual.
Designate Laundry Days
Choose 1 or 2 days each week that are your laundry days. Always doing it on the same days makes the chore routine.
Do Laundry in 15-Minute Bursts
Rather than spending hours doing laundry all in one day, break it into quick 15-minute sessions. Set a timer and see how much you can get done. This makes laundry more bite-sized and manageable.
Conclusion
When figuring out how often to wash clothes, consider your household size, lifestyle, types of fabrics, the season, and more. Create consistent laundry days and habits to stay on top of the never-ending chore without being overwhelmed. Aim for at least 1-2 loads per week, but adjust as needed based on how quickly laundry piles up for your family.