You Don’t Need to Wash It Yet: How to Care for Clothes Smarter

Most of us were taught to toss clothes in the wash after every wear. But here’s the truth: overwashing shortens the life of your garments, fades colors, and releases microplastics into the environment.

The good news? You don’t need to wash it yet. With a little freshening between wears, your clothes (and the planet) will thank you.

Why Overwashing Hurts Your Wardrobe

• Fiber damage: Frequent machine washing breaks down natural fibers, causing thinning and pilling.

• Color fading: Dyes degrade faster with repeated washing.

• Environmental toll: Washing synthetic fabrics releases hundreds of thousands of microfibers into waterways per load (Nature study).

How Often Should You Wash Different Fabrics?

• 👖 Denim: Every 10+ wears — spot clean and air out.

• 🧥 Wool & Cashmere: Every 5–7 wears — naturally odor-resistant.

• 🌸 Silk: Every 3–4 wears — delicate, best freshened gently.

• 👕 Cotton: Every 1–2 wears — absorbs sweat and oils quickly.

• 🏃 Activewear: Every wear — synthetics trap odor-causing bacteria.

The Smarter Solution: Refresh Between Washes
Instead of defaulting to the washing machine, try:

• Airing clothes in fresh air

• Steaming

• Gentle fabric freshening sprays (like Another Day by byMATTER)

• Brushing or spot cleaning

Washing less isn’t neglect — it’s care. By freshening between washes, you extend your wardrobe’s life, reduce your laundry pile, and care for the planet.

Discover Another Day — the fabric freshener that makes “You Don’t Need to Wash It Yet” possible.