Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Unnecessary Laundry

141 replies

MyLemonWriter · 11/12/2024 12:53

A few months back I noticed whilst loading the washing machine that most things were actually clean. Has anyone else cut down on the number of times the launder their clothes?

OP posts:
Mumofmarauders · 11/12/2024 22:05

I think I was a relatively minimal washer in the first place, at least on behalf of the grown ups in our house (my DH doesn't sweat which is so odd but also very helpful!) - my eldest only has to walk near a garment for it to be filthy...! But recently I've discovered under arm protection underwear, like a very thin t shirt with all the fabric removed but a bit under your boobs and round your back and then little short sleeves reinforced under the arm which means that I no longer need to wash anything that's touched my peri-menopausal armpits after only one wash. Absolute game changer, I'm so enjoying wearing my lovely long dresses again whereas before I just couldn't face having to wash so much fabric after just one wear!

fanaticalfairy · 11/12/2024 22:04

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 11/12/2024 13:08

I don’t agree. I wash anything after wearing for 4+ hours. Towels are washed after 2 uses, or every other day.

Really? Even a coat? Or a jumper that's been on top of a t-shirt etc?

ManchesterLu · 11/12/2024 22:02

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 11/12/2024 13:08

I don’t agree. I wash anything after wearing for 4+ hours. Towels are washed after 2 uses, or every other day.

Well you clearly have more time and money than sense, then.

Poppins21 · 11/12/2024 22:00

drowninginsick · 11/12/2024 17:43

This is insane how do you find the time? Do you have a job? Kids ? Hobbies? I have so many questions

Yes I have a job I own my own business so I work from home some days. Yes I have one daughter, yes I have hobbies. I have bed changes down to a fine art - I have 2 sets of bedding and rotate each during the week. Always done it since I started doing my own laundry about age 14. I know it’s bonkers but it’s just something I prioritise.

Poppins21 · 11/12/2024 21:53

MereDintofPandiculation · 11/12/2024 21:25

"It's worth it" Worth what? Increasing your contributions to CO2 emissions and water shortages?

We have solar and wind power and our house is on its own well.

hazelnutvanillalatte · 11/12/2024 21:53

teatoast8 · 11/12/2024 21:16

My clothes don't smell after 1 wear. I must admit. I wear my jumper longer than a week before it goes in the wash

In my experience clothes worn all day will get a musty BO smell to them. Jumpers are different as they're not worn next to the skin

Poppins21 · 11/12/2024 21:51

SeeMyself · 11/12/2024 20:07

@SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice and @Poppins21 do you both work full-time outside of the house?

I own my own business, so I do hybrid work.

SeeMyself · 11/12/2024 21:43

LoafofSellotape · 11/12/2024 21:26

I can't imagine not wearing clean PJs or nightshirt every night. I bet those who do aren't menopausal yet 😉

I never used to. But I have had some perimenopausal mornings where I have woken up drenched in sweat. And have had to get out fresh pyjamas. It felt so incredibly wasteful to throw pyjamas in the wash after one wear.

MMAMPWGHAP · 11/12/2024 21:34

A few years ago I bought Pitrok crystal deodorant. It’s very effective and unscented. I then realised that I was really washing tops because of the deodorant smell on them.
I now only wash tops when they have stains on them. Have hooks in bedroom and air them for 24 hours before putting back in the wardrobe.
Has massively cut my washing & ironing and improved the longevity of my clothes. Obviously better for my bills & the environment.
Judge away!

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 11/12/2024 21:32

teatoast8 · 11/12/2024 21:22

It's not normal

The term “the great unwashed” has taken on a more literal meaning for me tonight in terms of class culture.

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 11/12/2024 21:30

MereDintofPandiculation · 11/12/2024 21:25

"It's worth it" Worth what? Increasing your contributions to CO2 emissions and water shortages?

There are no water shortages here! Besides, even people living in the desert wash their clothes more often than you do. Plus CO2 can be cut in other ways that don’t affect hygiene. Half the time I’m washing and drying on free renewable energy.

LoafofSellotape · 11/12/2024 21:26

I can't imagine not wearing clean PJs or nightshirt every night. I bet those who do aren't menopausal yet 😉

MereDintofPandiculation · 11/12/2024 21:25

Poppins21 · 11/12/2024 13:51

No I love the smell of fresh laundry. Towels washed after ever use, pjs every use. I wash bedding on a Tuesday and a Friday and I starch them. :-) I know life is too short but it’s worth it for that freshly washed bedding feel especially on a Friday evening after a long week.

"It's worth it" Worth what? Increasing your contributions to CO2 emissions and water shortages?

Bitezbabe · 11/12/2024 21:24

Fireworknight · 11/12/2024 13:05

I keep telling my son that hoodies etc, unless dirty due not need to go in laundery basket. They still end up there!

Same here. I put them back on the hanger without washing them and he doesn’t even notice. 😂

OhMehGoddess · 11/12/2024 21:23

TiramisuThief · 11/12/2024 14:25

I don't skimp on washing but my towels go a week, bedding goes 2 weeks. Anything wool gets washed rarely. I rotate clothes so they get worn at least a couple of times.

But I do washing most days as I can't bear to re wear sports kits.

I have to wash sports gear after one use. I sweat buckets.

teatoast8 · 11/12/2024 21:22

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 11/12/2024 21:21

It is normal.

It's not normal

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 11/12/2024 21:21

hazelnutvanillalatte · 11/12/2024 21:06

Worn clothes turn musty after a day so I just wash clothes after wearing (not including jeans/outer layers). Shower daily and don't work in an abattoir. I thought that was normal.

It is normal.

user2848502016 · 11/12/2024 21:19

I only wear knickers and socks once, and pyjamas usually twice. But other than that only wash stuff when it's dirty or needs freshening up

teatoast8 · 11/12/2024 21:19

Auburngal · 11/12/2024 21:18

PJs, towels, bedding - once a week. With duvets covers, once a fortnight.

Bedding definitely doesn't get washed once a week. Maybe 2 weeks

Auburngal · 11/12/2024 21:18

PJs, towels, bedding - once a week. With duvets covers, once a fortnight.

teatoast8 · 11/12/2024 21:16

hazelnutvanillalatte · 11/12/2024 21:06

Worn clothes turn musty after a day so I just wash clothes after wearing (not including jeans/outer layers). Shower daily and don't work in an abattoir. I thought that was normal.

My clothes don't smell after 1 wear. I must admit. I wear my jumper longer than a week before it goes in the wash

Auburngal · 11/12/2024 21:15

I wear tops 2 days. Joggers/yoga pants 3-4 days.

Only wear tops once if it’s hot. Shorts - I air off for at least 24 hours before I wear them again

garlictwist · 11/12/2024 21:12

I've been wearing the same top for three days. Just took it off and it still smells totally fresh so I'll wear it tomorrow too.

whatsappdoc · 11/12/2024 21:09

Poppins21 · 11/12/2024 13:51

No I love the smell of fresh laundry. Towels washed after ever use, pjs every use. I wash bedding on a Tuesday and a Friday and I starch them. :-) I know life is too short but it’s worth it for that freshly washed bedding feel especially on a Friday evening after a long week.

Perhaps if you did less washing it wouldn't seem like such a long week?😜

hazelnutvanillalatte · 11/12/2024 21:06

whoopsnomore · 11/12/2024 17:42

People washing things after one wear, I imagine you are also showering regularly (I won't open that can of worms too wide though!), so unless you are doing physical manual work or in a very smelly environment (chip shop? Abbatoir? cheese dairy?) why do you need to wash clothes which are essentially clean? What are your energy bills like?

Worn clothes turn musty after a day so I just wash clothes after wearing (not including jeans/outer layers). Shower daily and don't work in an abattoir. I thought that was normal.