What a pleasure to come home and automatically change into comfortable clothes after the work day. Or wear this type of clothing during the day with teleworking, a practice that came with the pandemic and which has partially remained in many companies. Or that the long-awaited weekend arrives and you decide to spend it enjoying the warmth of home.
However, we may not know exactly how often to wash these clothes, unlike the ones we use for going out.
In our home, we also share space with bacteria, germs and dead cells, which we generally don’t take as much notice of as the dirt that comes in from outside. Taking care of the hygiene of these clothes is important since the house can become a breeding ground for bacteria and dust mites.
On the other hand, you must maintain a balance when washing household linen. If we do it too frequently, it can shorten the life of the garment. Frequent washing can cause more delicate items to wear out more quickly.
Preserving the environment must also be taken into account, because with each wash, millions of plastic microparticles are released into the oceans, because they cannot be filtered in wastewater treatment plants. In addition, if we wash taking this into account, we can save this precious liquid.
It is not necessary to wash every item of clothing every time it is worn, but you should know the ideal frequency of washing each type of item of clothing.
What should be done with any clothing, including those we use at home, is to wash it before the first time we wear it to remove any dirt accumulated during transport, storage and store handling .
Another tip is not to overload the washing machine, as doing larger, less frequent loads may reduce the time you spend staring at the washing machine, but the clothes may not get as clean.
Pajamas
The ultimate homemade garment. When we sleep we shed dead skin, so we need to keep in mind that bacteria accumulates in our pajamas. The ideal frequency for washing pajamas is every three or four days, or on average twice a week. This way we will ensure that good hygiene is maintained.
People suffering from skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis should be more aware of this problem.
In summer, nights become hot and humid and you may sweat more. In this case, you will probably need to wash your cotton nightgowns more often to ensure that the moisture accumulated in your sleepwear does not return to your body. In this case, daily washing may be necessary, as with other clothing.
The fabric of the pajamas should be taken into account when washing. For example, if they are made of flannel, they will stay in good condition longer if you wash them inside out, while those made of silk should be washed by hand.
Coat
Another item of clothing that we wear at home is the dress. This garment helps us not to be cold in winter and, at the same time, protects the clothes we wear underneath. Some of them can also have a very pleasant touch and now there are all kinds of models that allow us to find the one that suits us best.
Quite simply because it is a garment that we use over others and which does not have direct contact with our skin, its washing frequency decreases. This frequency also depends on whether we use them simply to be at home or if we wear them for the exclusive purpose of cleaning the house. In the first case it could be washed every fortnight, while in the second it would have to go straight into the bucket of the washing machine.
Tracksuit
Another useful and comfortable item of clothing to wear at home is the tracksuit. Normally, sports clothing should be washed after an intensive exercise session in which you sweat a lot. But in the case of use as home clothing, the washing speed can be equivalent to that of pajamas and put it in the machine after using it for two or three days.
House slippers or Nordic socks
How often you should wash your slippers depends on how you use them at home. In general, it is recommended to wash them at least once a month to keep them clean and bacteria-free.
If you use them daily or in high humidity conditions, you can wash them every two weeks. Maintaining a regular cleaning routine helps extend the life of your Nordic slippers or socks and maintains a healthy environment at home.
When it comes to washing them, the washing machine is an efficient method that allows you to clean several slippers or Nordic socks at the same time. In addition, the washing machine guarantees deep cleaning, eliminating both dirt and bacteria. If hand washing is indicated, it is important to remember to use a soft brush, rinse them in cold water and let them air dry.
If the slippers smell bad, you can sprinkle them with baking soda and let them sit overnight. Baking soda is great for absorbing odors and killing bacteria. You have to shake it before using them again.
Recommendations
We remind you of a series of recommendations when washing these clothes. As with any other clothing, it is important to separate dark colors from light colors to prevent them from fading and staining your clothing. You should also check the label to verify the specific washing conditions of each garment and thus avoid damaging the fabric fibers.
On the other hand, it is recommended to use a mild detergent to maintain the comfort of your home clothes and, on the other hand, not to use fabric softener as this can reduce the fabric’s ability to absorb moisture and, incidentally, its ability to maintain dry and fresh skin.
Finally, to keep the pajamas fresh and comfortable, it is best to dry them in the dryer at low temperature or directly in the open air, which is the best option.
