9 Items We Overwash and 9 We Shockingly Neglect

Roughly 90% of the clothes we toss into the wash aren't actually dirty, leading to a surprising amount of needless laundry. Many of us wash items with just a faint smell or minor wrinkles, squandering water, energy, and detergent. This overuse doesn't just hit our wallets hard—it also harms the planet.

Meanwhile, as we obsess over washing some things, we often ignore others that desperately need a clean. This oversight lets dirt and odors pile up, demanding even tougher scrubbing later. To streamline laundry habits, it's crucial to assess which items truly require washing and prioritize them for efficient cleaning.

To address this, we dove into how often the washing machine should really run. By crafting a schedule based on actual clothing needs, we can wash only what's necessary, saving resources and cutting down our environmental footprint.

1. Jeans versus leggings

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Jeans vs. Leggings: Surprising Washing Tips Washing jeans too often can ruin their life and fade their vibrant color. Each cycle risks distorting denim's shape, and warm weather might even cause shrinkage, altering their fit from day one.

To protect your jeans, skip frequent washes. Levi’s CEO Chip Bergh hasn't machine-washed his jeans in over a decade. He swears by minimal washing to maintain color and structure, while also conserving water and helping the environment. He suggests spot cleaning when needed, a trick borrowed from early denim fans who prized toughness. If a machine wash is unavoidable, flip jeans inside out and use cold water only when they're genuinely dirty.

Leggings, on the other hand, demand a different strategy. Designed to soak up moisture, they can breed bacteria and trap odors. For daily wear, washing after two or three uses works fine. But post-workout, wash them every time to keep them fresh and hygienic.