Ecover, a cleaning products company, has issued guidance saying most UK households wash their clothes too often, which wears out fabrics, pushes up energy bills and harms the environment. The advice suggests many items need far less frequent washing than people commonly assume.
Why over-washing costs more
Each wash shortens the life of clothing, as fibres break down and fabrics fade, shrink, tear or become unwearable after a limited number of cycles. Over-washing also raises energy costs and environmental impact with every unnecessary load.
Energy bills are forecast to rise by an average of 5% this October, according to the latest Ofgem price cap forecasts. The increase comes despite a £45 VAT cut under Andy Burnham, and follows the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Running a washing machine can cost triple figures per year, while tumble dryer use is estimated at as much as £519 annually.
Ecover's "wash wisely" guide
The company's rough guide for how often to wash items is: towels every week; bedding every 2-4 weeks, depending on how hot and sweaty you get; underwear daily; bras weekly unless a sports bra; jumpers every 2-3 wears with a sniff test; and denim only when dirty or smelly, as denim fibres wear out quicker with lots of washing.
Ecover said: "A cleaning company telling you to wash your clothes less? You got it. Washing your clothes too often will break down the fibres and wear out the fabric. As a general rule, if it doesn’t look dirty and doesn’t smell dirty, why wash it?"
The company added: "This is about more than fresh socks and squeaky-clean pots. This is about respecting the planet and looking out for nature. This is about fixing our waste culture and making an impact on our impact. Every basket of laundry and stack of dishes is a chance to shake the status quo. Because we need system change, not climate change. And together we can roll up our freshly laundered sleeves and get this revolution on the road."
