You’re probably washing your pants wrong. Here’s how to do it right

It’s a frustrating truism of laundry that there are no hard-and-fast rules about how often you should clean a pair of pants. That makes it tricky to know when, exactly, it’s time for our legwear to take a spin in the washing machine. But there are some clear signs that tell us it’s time to do so.

“Invisible soils like sweat and body oils naturally build up, leading to dinginess and odours if they aren’t cleaned regularly,” says Kim Romine, a fabric care scientist at Procter and Gamble. “Signs that your garment needs washing include visible stains, noticeable odours and the fabric feeling oily or stiff from soil buildup.”

That’s a helpful start, but there is more to know about how, and how often, to wash a pair of pants.

You must wash pants that have been exposed to contaminants

Regular washing is crucial to keeping pants free of stains and odours and to maintain the integrity of the fabric. But there are also times you must wash pants: when they have been in contact with such contaminants as pesticides, occupational chemicals or biological soils (blood, urine, feces, vomit), wash them as soon as possible. Avoid placing contaminated clothing in a laundry bag or hamper with other items, and wash them in a load separate from other clothing and household linens.

OK, but won’t overwashing ruin my pants?

Not as much as you might think, though washing pants does contribute to overall wear and tear. Actually, the real culprit is the dryer. If you want to preserve the look and longevity of your pants, whether they’re yoga pants, pyjama pants or expensive jeans, wash them regularly according to the expert guidelines below, but try to avoid using the dryer. Air-drying pants – on a line or rack or laying them flat – or using a no- or low-heat dryer setting, is the best way to balance the need to wash these garments with ensuring they look good and last a long time.

Is it better to wash pants inside out or right side out?

“Washing pants inside out is generally recommended,” Romine says. It helps protect the fabric’s outer surface from fading, abrasion and the pilling that can occur in the wash. “Additionally, most soils accumulate on the inside, where the fabric contacts your skin,” she says. “Turning pants inside out exposes these areas to more agitation, improving soil removal.” But if the outside of the pants is heavily soiled or stained, Romine adds, “washing them right side out can help target that dirt more effectively.”

A note on undergarments, or lack thereof

If you’re a member of the commando set, you’ll need to wash your pants accordingly. “No question,” says Robert Cardiff, the co-founder of Laundry Sauce, “if you’re going commando, treat those pants more like underwear. That means washing leggings and yoga pants every single wear, and bumping up the frequency on anything else that sits close to your skin. Your pants, and everyone around you, will thank you.”

How, and how often, to wash different types of pants

The good or bad news, depending on your perspective, is that even the experts don’t agree on how often to wash pants, so treat these recommendations as rough guidelines. And before laundering pants, Romine says, “always check the care label for specific instructions, as some fabrics may have unique washing requirements”.

Yoga pants, workout pants and leggings

“These should be washed after every wear because they trap sweat and body oils, which can cause odours and skin irritation,” Romine says. To target these soils, turn leggings and workout and yoga pants inside out before washing. Cold water and a delicate cycle is best for preserving such garments. Avoid washing them in the same load as towels and fleece, which can transfer lint, as well as with heavy or bulky garments such as hoodies and jeans, which cause friction that leads to pilling and other damage. Don’t use fabric softener when washing leggings or workout and yoga pants, as it can leave a coating that traps odour-causing bacteria. Air-dry to prevent fading and shrinking and to preserve the garment’s longevity.

Tracksuit pants

Cardiff recommends washing tracksuit pants every three to five wears, “assuming you’re not sweating heavily in them. But once they start losing their shape or smelling less than fresh, it’s time.” Unless the exterior is visibly soiled, wash casual pants inside out to target body soils and bacteria. Use cold water and air-dry, or use a low-heat dryer cycle to maintain the fabric.

Pyjama pants

Score one for the shower-at-night crowd: these can be worn two to three times before washing, Romine says, “especially if you shower at night before putting on your pyjamas. However, if you sweat heavily during the night or spill anything on them, it’s time to wash them.”

Khakis and chinos

Overwashing khakis and chinos “is actually one of the fastest ways to ruin them. It breaks down the fabric and fades the colour,” says Cardiff, who recommends washing them every two to three wears. “Spot-clean them when you can, air them out between wears, and save the full wash for when they’ve genuinely earned it.”

Cords

“Corduroy is a thicker fabric that doesn’t absorb sweat as readily as lighter materials,” Cardiff says, “but the texture can trap dust and debris over time.” He recommends washing them infrequently – every four to five wears – and turning them inside out to retain their colour and texture. Air-drying, or using a low-heat dryer setting, also can help prevent fading and other signs of wear and tear.

Linen pants

“For casual use, wash linen pants every one to two wears,” Cardiff says. “If it’s been a hot summer day, after every wear.” The fabric is highly prone to shrinking, so it’s important to wash linen garments in cold water only and to air-dry them.

Jeans

Ideally, says Kiya Babzani, founder of the men’s denim store Self Edge, you should wash your jeans every five to seven wears – but he’s also OK with washing them every 30 to 45 wears. “I had to balance the advice because it’s so against what denim culture tells you,” he says. He recommends washing your jeans every month or every other month, “unless you’re in a really dirty environment or you’re getting something on them all the time.” To prevent premature fading, turn jeans inside out, wash them in cold water and let them air-dry.

Washington Post

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