Most people would agree that doing lots of laundry is a chore, but when garments come out feeling and smelling clean, it’s worth the effort. What if you could preserve that just-washed sensation for longer stretches between washes?
Washing garments less frequently helps them last longer and — bonus — reduces your utility bill. In some regions you might even earn incentives for cutting energy use by skipping wash days. Given rising utility costs and the expense of detergent, not to mention the environmental toll of plastic jugs and harsh chemicals, we experimented with some alternative strategies to the typical weekly laundry routine.
With the techniques we tried, you can extend the interval between full washes and still look and smell great. On top of that, you’ll save money and power while prolonging the life of your clothes — a win for your budget, your wardrobe and the planet.
How to Wash Less, Keep Clothes Intact and Save Money
Steam Your Clothing
Steam disinfects laundry much like hot water does, but without the fabric damage. Hot water uses more energy, and cold water doesn’t always clean thoroughly. What’s the compromise? A steamer.
Steaming benefits most textiles (skip suede) and can refresh both garments and bedding. If you’re allergic to dust mites, it helps with that too.
The drawback is that steaming requires an initial outlay and a bit of time. Handheld steamers can be found for about $30, while upright models run closer to $100. Instead of sorting and swapping loads, you’ll spend time coaxing wrinkles out of items — oddly satisfying.
Freeze Your Clothes
Freezing clothes doesn’t reliably kill bacteria, though some debate exists about its effect on odors. We tried it and found it did reduce unpleasant smells.
Place the clothing in a sealed bag and freeze for 2–3 hours. Keep in mind that freezing won’t eliminate bacteria and works only for select pieces. If you’re heading out in a few hours and your favorite jeans are a bit ripe, freezing them can buy you another wear without running an entire load.
Freezing is also gentle on delicate items like tights and sweaters, helping extend their usable life by avoiding unnecessary washing.
Skip Fabric Softener
Fabric softener doesn’t simply make towels and clothes plush; over time it breaks down fiber surfaces, effectively wearing garments out wash after wash.
No one enjoys pulling a stack of static-y clothes straight from the dryer, though.
To reduce detergent residue and avoid dryer static, pour one-quarter cup of plain white vinegar into your washer’s fabric softener compartment.
Forgot to add it? Use wool dryer balls to keep items soft and static-free. They last a long time; if you’re pinching pennies, a clean tennis ball in the dryer will do the job too.
Make Your Own Dryer Sheets
We get it — the scent from dryer sheets is comforting. But you can create a chemical-free, tailored fragrance that refreshes clothing and bedding affordably and easily.
Use cotton scraps — old rags or even undergarments work — and place them into a glass jar. Pour enough white vinegar to saturate the fabric and add a few drops of essential oil. When you dry a load, remove a strip, wring out excess, and toss it in.
Your laundry will carry a pleasant aroma without the chemical buildup common with commercial dryer sheets. That fresh smell can help stretch the time between full washes.
Air Out Your Clothing
Giving clothes and bedding some fresh air and sunlight is another excellent way to revive items between washes. Like freezing, airing out can cut odors — but unlike freezing, sunlight can also neutralize bacteria.
Air-drying saves money and helps garments keep their shape and avoid shrinkage. You don’t need an outdoor clothesline — a foldable drying rack brought out on laundry day works fine.
Hang or lay pieces like sweaters flat in direct sunlight for 15–20 minutes if they’re dry; wet items will need more time. Be mindful of fading in intense sun. Air drying is especially helpful for bras and other delicates, since repeated tumbling is often what sends underwires wandering.
Master Stain Removal
Your instinct when faced with a stain may be to toss the item in the wash — don’t. First soak it in cold water. Hot water can “set” a stain, making it far tougher to remove.
Often detergent alone will lift stains, but treatment varies by type. The American Cleaning Institute provides a comprehensive stain-removal guide that’s worth bookmarking.
Create a Chemical-Free Fabric Refresher Spray
This homemade spray smells better than many commercial options and is perfect for freshening clothes between washes. Combine your preferred essential oil, high-proof vodka or rubbing alcohol, and water. A two-to-one water-to-alcohol ratio works well.
Start with a small amount of essential oil and increase to your liking.
Lightly mist clothing or bedding and allow it to dry — drying in sunlight is an added bonus. This spray is especially handy for scarves, wraps and shawls.
Dry Clean at Home When Appropriate
Manufacturers sometimes label items “dry clean only” as a legal safeguard. Not every piece actually needs professional care, but you must proceed carefully.
You can hand-wash many natural and synthetic fabrics. Before doing so, test for colorfastness: place a drop of water on a hidden area and rub with a cotton swab. If dye transfers, take it to the cleaners. If not, wash by hand in cold water with a gentle detergent.
If hand washing isn’t suitable, you can DIY a dry-cleaning kit. Store-bought kits are laden with chemicals and run $10–$15 for just a few uses. Instead, use a zippered pillowcase and a rag dampened with vinegar and water. Wring the rag out, put the garments and rag into the pillowcase, and tumble the dryer on medium for about 15 minutes — your clothes will look and feel refreshed.
Always opt for professional dry cleaning for silk, velvet, wool and leather. And if a piece has sentimental value, leave it to the pros.
Contributor Amber Collins writes about home and lifestyle topics from Georgia.
