It is a routine many follow weekly, but experts suggest common laundry habits may be incorrect. Specialists from AO.com have disclosed the optimal frequency for cleaning everyday items, including denim.
Jeans and Hoodies: Less Frequent Washing Recommended
According to the experts, jeans only require washing after ten wears, while hoodies can be worn six or seven times unless visibly soiled. In contrast, socks and underwear should be cleaned after each use.
Gwil Snook, Washing Machine Expert at AO.com, explained: 'People tend to stick to the routines they are used to. But often those habits do not align with how clothes are designed to be cared for, or how washing machines are intended to help you get the most out of your garments.'
Jeans are among the most commonly overwashed items, as many believe frequent washing maintains denim structure. 'In reality, they do not need frequent washing, and wearing them multiple times actually helps preserve their shape and colour,' Snook added.
Survey Reveals Overwashing Trends
To understand laundry behaviours, the team surveyed 3,000 Britons about their washing frequencies. Jeans emerged as the most overwashed item. While guidance suggests jeans can be worn ten times before washing, 79 per cent of Brits wash theirs too often.
The debate over jean washing frequently resurfaces on social media, with users divided on the ideal frequency. One TikTok user commented: 'Unless something has spilt down it, once a week.' Another stated: 'I am a wear once and wash kind of gal. If the clothes have been in public places they are dirty and have stranger germs.' A third joked: 'If I spill water, juice, or booze on it it is good, but if I spill KFC gravy on it, oil, or anything like that it is getting washed immediately.'
AO.com's survey indicated hoodies were next on the list, with 65 per cent washing them too often, followed by jumpers at 51 per cent.
Expert Guidance on Washing Frequency
Snook elaborated: 'Jumpers are really easy to overwash, as people often think they are the same as t-shirts and should be washed after one or two wears. But actually, if you have a layer on underneath, then they can be worn for up to five wears. That makes a big difference in keeping them in good condition.'
The same principle applies to hoodies: unless stained or odorous, they do not need immediate washing. 'Washing it too often just puts unnecessary stress on the fabric,' Snook noted.
While jeans, hoodies, and jumpers tend to be overwashed, the survey also found that many Brits under-wash other items. More than a third (35 per cent) admitted to wearing socks more than once, despite guidance recommending washing after each use. Additionally, almost a quarter (24 per cent) said they have worn underwear multiple times before washing.
Snook added: 'They should always be washed after one wear. They are in constant contact with sweat, so rewearing them is not recommended from a hygiene point of view.'
Before washing new items, the expert advises checking care labels, avoiding unnecessary washes, and using appropriate settings for different fabrics.
