At some point (in a galaxy, long long time ago) I learned to turn jeans, shorts and hoodies inside out when putting them into washing machine. For some reason, I don’t do the same with smaller, simple things like T-shirts and underwear.
I forgot what was the reasoning behind it, but when I think about it, can’t seem to come to a conclusion which way is better.
Is one way better than another and why?
Housewife here, many thousands of loads under my belt; with a modern electric washing machine and regular levels of dirt you don’t have to do anything except make sure the clothes aren’t bunched up. Like unroll socks if they are in a ball and unwad jeans so the legs aren’t half inside themselves.
Use less detergent than you think you need in general. If you have stuff that’s extra funky find the soak feature on your machine or just stop it after it’s filled with water and let them sit (with soap) for 30 minutes before running it.
The only time you need special treatment is with special garments or special stains in my experience.
Use less detergent than you think you need
This can’t be said enough. You typically need 1/4 or less than what’s on a measuring cup.
And make sure your water is at least 65°, which is where the detergent becomes more effective.
Also, clothes don’t need to be washed every time they’re worn, depending. Like jeans rarely need washing. Underwear, t-shirts, socks, that sort of thing need to be washed all the time.
All you ever wanted to know about washing clothes: https://laundryevangelist.com/
Just to be clear is that 65° F or C?
Both don’t make a lot of sense. Celsius would be 18.3°. Fahrenheit however would be too much for a lot of clothes. I have never in my life washed hotter than 60°C.
Fahrenheit makes sense. The Tide website recommends washing at 16C minimum for regular detergent and 4C minimum for cold water detergent.
I only wash at 30C max.
yeah I mean, when a jug says it can do a 100 loads. It most likely can, because it is telling you to moderate the amount needed.
If you keep washing your laundry with full cup after full cup, you’re not going to get a 100 loads. I am very guilty of doing this everytime, but I’m trying to moderate better. This is a chemical designed to be strong enough to clean your clothes with little as possible.
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Thousands of loads under my belt
And some on my face
Okay Beavis, Butthead, nap time!
Uhuhuh did you just say fap time? Uhuhuh
Generally you want the dirtiest part on the outside. I find for things like jeans, I leave them outside-out; T-shirts are often inside-out.
The other reason to turn things inside-out is if there are designs or other features that you want to protect.
In short, whatever is on the outside is going to get the “rougher” treatment.
I only turn t-shirts with prints on them inside out. I also zip up zippers so they don’t abrade other things.
I turn everything inside out because I line dry outside. Since UV bleaches fabric I’d rather fade the inside.
I usually dry inside and I make sure to turn stuff inside out before hanging it on the rack but I do it because I believe it dries better when things like pockets can be stretched out.
UV is a great point, I never realized that.
I dont know any of the finer details but my thought and real practice is that when washing jeans, its better to wash them inside out and all zipped up + pockets out. Not sure where I heard it but I’ve always observed that
It cant be worse than doing them rightside whatever so try it if you like. Anecdotally, my jeans tend to last basically forever if there arent already stylistic holes or tears in them.
because the inside is the part that touches you all day, and it’s where the stank is
So it looks like I’ve been doing it all wrong all the time. Especially with hoodies, there’s always a t-shirt under them, so the “dirtier” side of the hoodie is more likely to be the outside.
With jeans it’s kind of the same, assuming not too much sweating (and proper underwear turnaround).
well your bare legs are on the jeans… and i’m sure your underwear smell enough to pass by touch….
it depends on how much stain is on the outside… a lot of people almost never wash their jeans.
there’s also any printing, and and kind of wear would be better on the inside… like fuzziness or messing up stitches…. it basically keeps it looking newer.
i’m too lazy for all of that but i do always zip up any zippers so they don’t distort from each other when hot, or snag anything else.
All you ever wanted to know about washing clothes: https://laundryevangelist.com/
This is a US site - these tips are not applicable for most washing machines here, which focus on hour long soaking at room temperature, to reduce energy and detergent waste.
