How Often You Really Need to Wash Clothes to Keep Them Clean

Here's when to wash everything from bras and pajamas to jeans and winter coats, all in one simple chart.

Fact checked by Haley Mades

Admit it: You've gone a little too long without washing some of your go-to clothes. You're not alone. But, um, how long is too long, exactly? We're discussing why it's important to wash your clothes at designated intervals—because not every item should be washed after every use. Here's how often you really need to wash your clothes to keep them clean.

Related: The Be-All-and-End-All, Definitive Guide to Doing Laundry

Always check the label before attempting to clean any garment for proper care instructions!

Recommended Washing Frequency

The following recommendations are meant as general guidelines rather than hard and fast rules. Remember, a sniff check is still a quick and easy way to determine when it's time for a wash. And of course, common sense applies here: Even if you can get by with washing a particular shirt every five wears in the winter, you'll have to wash it more often during the sweltering summer months. Also consider the efficiency of your washer and dryer set in not only cleaning but maintaining the integrity of your clothes.

For everyday items, like bras and pajamas, make a mental note to remember how many times you've worn each item. Remember, it's not an exact science—if you end up wearing those PJs for the fifth night, it will most likely be fine.

Washing Frequency Chart

How Often Should You Wash Your Bra?

When it comes to cleanliness, our recommendation is to wash bras every three to four wears. But not everyone agrees, and some experts recommend washing more frequently. Brassiere expert Danny Koch, an owner of Town Shop, recommends every other wear, or by the third, maximum. The same goes for different types of shapewear.

"When you're strapped in for 10 to 12 hours a day, the garment not only collects oils from your skin and deodorant, but the elastic stretches and loses its form through wear," Koch says. "And when you're investing anywhere from $50 to $100 for a quality piece, you need consistent care to maximize your investment." Just make sure you wash your bra according to the care instructions while using a laundry bag so that the excess washing doesn't compromise the garment. Don't put them in the dryer—use a drying rack to air dry your bras.

How Often Should You Wash Coats and Jackets?

There are many categories of outerwear, and in general, cleaning them once or twice a season should suffice. Leather and suede jackets do not need more than one cleaning a season, and ideally done by a professional dry cleaner that specializes in leather goods. You can regularly wipe your jacket down with a soft cloth to brush off dirt in the meantime and touch up stains with water and a soft sponge.

Clean wool coats once or twice a season—you should also have a pro handle this as wool can be finicky. (Water can actually shrink the fibers if you're not careful!) Down parkas and vests should get cleaned around two times a season, and can often go in the wash. (Check the care label first though.) Use the tiniest amount of detergent—no more than a teaspoon—and wash on the delicate cycle. If you can place in the dryer, throw in some tennis balls to fluff up the pieces.

Sweatshirts, blazers, and fleece jackets should get spruced up around every 6 wears. Fleece pieces and sweatshirts are typically fine in the wash, while high-end jackets and blazers should be handled professionally or you risk ruining the structure of the piece.

How Often Should You Wash Hats, Gloves, and Scarves?

Winter accessories can get tossed in the wash a few times each season—roughly three to five times. If the material is cotton or synthetic, it shouldn't be an issue tossing them in the wash. Just make sure to place them in mesh bags so they don't snag on anything. If the pieces are wool, you can get away with handwashing them in a basin of cool water using a tiny bit of gentle detergent. Don't tug or stretch the items and press water out. (Don't wring!)

Related: How to Clean Your Bulky Winter Clothing at Home

How Often Should You Wash Your Jeans?

For keeping bacteria at bay, we think you should wash your jeans every four to five wears. However, depending on the type of denim you're sporting and your devotion to protecting its look and feel, some experts recommend washing your jeans way less. Think every six weeks or 10 wears.

"People make the mistake of washing their jeans far too frequently," says Nicole Russo, private stylist and founder of NYC-based Let's Get You. "The less you wash them the better, especially denim with any elastane (stretch). When you wash your denim, you're putting it through a beating, and each cycle breaks down the fabric."

Related: Queer Eye's Carson Kressley Shares How Often You Should Be Washing Jeans On Our Podcast

How Often Should You Wash Your Leggings?

Assuming you're wearing underpants, you might be able to stretch out washing leggings and yoga pants to every 2 to 3 wears. Though, if you've exercised or sweated vigorously in them, it's best to wash them after every wear. Activewear should be washed in warm to cool water—never hot. Super hot water can weaken the elasticity found in most workout clothes. And use an enzyme-based detergent for super funky pieces!

Related: 7 Life-Changing Laundry Tricks for Workout Clothes That Always Smell Fresh

How Often Should You Wash Your Pajamas?

Pajamas can actually go quite a few wears without a rinse, typically three to four. This might seem like a stretch but consider that many people shower right before hopping into their PJs, and then don't do much in them beyond snoozing. If you're an excessive sweater at night though, you should definitely wash your pieces more often.

How Often Should You Wash Your Swimsuits?

Wash swimsuits after each wear to properly rid them of any beach salt or pool chemicals, in addition to body sweat and sunscreen. After cleaning, don't place them in the dryer or the heat will mess with the elastic material.

How Often Should You Wash Your T-Shirts?

You might be able to get away with washing tops after every other wear if you're not a super sweater, but most people should wash them after each wear. (Think about the deodorant that rubs off your pits and onto the shirt—you don't want that, in addition to other things like sweat and lotions, building up!)

Can You Wash Clothing Too Little or Too Often?

Part of the reason for washing clothing regularly is not just to avoid body odor and look presentable (although, that is the first priority here), but also to maintain your clothing and keep your clothes looking like new for longer.

Sweat and body oils can damage delicate fibers when left on clothing for extended periods of time. Plus, the longer you let stains and soil set into the fibers, the harder it will be to remove them.

That said, certain clothing items may actually hold up better the less you wash them, like jeans—or some may require more washes, like bras. But the exact frequency will vary depending on who you ask.

Related: How to Hand Wash Clothes the Easy Way

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