8 Clothing Items You Don’t Have to Wash After Every Wear

When it comes to laundry, most of us err on the side of over-washing. Tossing clothes in the hamper after just one wear might feel like the hygienic choice, but it isn’t always necessary. In fact, frequent laundering can actually shorten the lifespan of your wardrobe, fading colors, stretching fabrics, and wearing down fibers faster than normal.

Laundry experts say that unless an item smells, has visible stains, or is soaked in sweat, you can often refresh it instead of doing a full wash. Airing clothing out, steaming, or placing garments in indirect sunlight can remove odors and help fabrics recover between wears.

Cutting down on unnecessary washes not only saves time and energy but also keeps your favorite pieces looking newer longer. Here are eight clothing items you don’t need to wash after every wear.

1. Jeans

Denim tops the list of most over-washed garments. Many people toss jeans in the washer after just one use, but denim is designed to be tough and durable. Unless your jeans are visibly dirty or sweaty, you can usually get four to six wears out of them before laundering.

Spot cleaning or hanging jeans outside to air out will extend their life and preserve the deep indigo color. Over-washing can cause fading and shrinkage, leaving you with limp, worn-out denim much faster than necessary.

2. Sweaters and Cardigans

Since sweaters are usually layered over other clothing, they don’t absorb as much sweat or oil from your skin. That means they can handle multiple wears before heading to the laundry.

Wool, cashmere, and cotton knits often benefit from being washed every five to seven wears, or simply once a season if you rotate through several sweaters. To keep them fresh, let them breathe on a hanger between uses and fold them neatly to prevent stretching.

3. Jackets and Blazers

Outerwear like blazers, coats, and casual jackets aren’t in direct contact with your skin, so they rarely need frequent cleaning. In fact, washing or dry-cleaning them too often can ruin their structure and shorten their lifespan.

Instead, plan on laundering blazers and jackets every season or after five to ten wears. Spot clean spills as soon as possible, and steam to release wrinkles and odors. This method keeps fabrics looking crisp and extends their shape and fit.

4. Dress Pants and Trousers

Like jackets, dress pants and tailored trousers hold up better when washed sparingly. Their structured seams and creases can be damaged by constant laundering.

If you’re wearing them to an office job where you’re not sweating heavily, aim to wash every five to ten wears or about twice per season. Refresh them between wears with a garment steamer, or hang them in a steamy bathroom to relax wrinkles.

5. Pajamas

The laundry frequency for pajamas depends largely on your nightly routine. If you shower before bed and don’t sweat excessively, you can typically wear pajamas three to four times before they need to be washed.

If you’re a warmer sleeper, consider rotating between a few sets of pajamas during the week so each one gets aired out. This reduces washing frequency and helps fabrics like cotton or flannel last longer.

6. Bras

Bras are delicate garments that wear down quickly if over-washed. Unless you’ve been sweating heavily, you don’t need to launder them after every wear. Instead, aim for every three to four wears.

To keep bras in good shape, store them flat, rotate between several during the week, and use a mesh laundry bag when washing. Air drying instead of tumble drying will help them maintain elasticity and support.

7. Coats and Heavy Outerwear

Winter coats, trench coats, and parkas don’t need constant washing—especially since they’re worn over multiple layers. Unless your coat is visibly dirty or exposed to spills, laundering it once or twice a season is usually enough.

In the meantime, hang your coat in a well-ventilated area and spot clean with a damp cloth when necessary. For down-filled jackets, professional cleaning may be the best option to preserve insulation.

8. Skirts

Whether casual or professional, skirts often escape the heavy wear-and-tear of items like T-shirts or leggings. Since they usually aren’t in direct contact with areas of the body that produce the most sweat, skirts can be worn three to four times before laundering.

As with trousers, steaming between wears and hanging them properly helps maintain their shape and freshness without over-washing.

The Bottom Line

Not everything you wear needs to be washed immediately after use. Learning which items can last multiple wears helps preserve your wardrobe, cuts down on energy bills, and reduces wear-and-tear on your favorite pieces.

If an item smells, has a stain, or feels sweaty, it should head to the wash. Otherwise, refreshing with air, steam, or sunlight will do the trick. By washing smarter, not harder, you’ll extend the life of your clothes and lighten your laundry load.

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