It might seem like an unnecessary extra step, but experts suggest that washing your clothes inside-out can make a significant difference in preserving your favourite wears.
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5 reasons to wash your clothes inside out
While it’s not necessary to do so, there are 5 clear benefits of washing your clothes inside out:
1. Protects your clothes from damage
Heavier items like jeans with zippers and buttons can potentially damage lighter fabrics such as athletic wear or leggings when thrown in together for a wash cycle. Washing inside out helps protect the outer surface of your clothes from this kind of wear and tear.
2. Detergent can directly tackle sweat & body oils
Washing clothes inside out exposes the inner surface to more thorough cleaning action. This is great for items that come into direct contact with sweat and body oils, such as your gym clothes. By turning these garments inside out, you allow the detergent to directly tackle odours and stains more effectively.
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3. Preserves embellishments on your garments
Washing your clothes inside-out can be really useful for items with decorative embellishments like embroidery, screen prints, or rhinestones, which are more sensitive to the agitation of a wash cycle. You’ve got a better chance at preserving the delicate features of your favourite wears this way.
4. Reduces pilling
While washing machines aren’t the primary cause of pilling, they can make the problem worse once it starts. Washing clothes inside out can help minimise the damage on the visible side of the garment.
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5. Helps preserve colour of dyed fabrics for longer
Dark or vibrantly dyed fabrics tend to fade over time due to repeated washing. By turning these items inside out, you can help reduce a bit of the colour bleeding and fading, which keeps your clothes looking newer for longer.
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When not to turn your clothes inside-out before washing
While washing inside out is generally beneficial, there are exceptions. If your clothes are particularly dirty on the outside or if you’re grappling with a hard stain, it may be best to wash these clothes right-side-out. This allows the detergent and agitation of the washer to clean the dirty surfaces more thoroughly.
Some delicate fabrics may also not be suitable for inside-out washing. Always check the care label before you throw into the wash!
Should my clothes dry inside out?
Drying clothes inside out can help prevent colour fading, especially when you are line-drying clothes outdoors. It protects the outer fabric from direct sunlight, which can cause fading over time.
Turning clothes inside out before drying can also help reduce lint buildup on the outside of the items.
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