Not all garments should be turned inside out before washing. Here is a list of items you should turn inside out to ensure their longevity.
Even when sorting laundry by color, it’s easy to toss everything into the washing machine without much thought. However, making small changes in how you wash certain items can make them look newer and last longer. Turning specific clothing items inside out can help keep them cleaner, while also preventing color fading, pilling, and premature wear and tear. Here is a list of items you should turn inside out before washing.
Items to Turn Inside Out
- Jeans
- Embellished Garments
- T-shirts, Sweaters, and Graphic Tees
- Reusable Grocery Bags
- Leggings and Other Activewear
- Socks
Jeans
Denim, especially dark-washed denim, is notorious for color fading and wear and tear around the hems, pockets, and waistbands. Whether your jeans are new or well-loved, turn them inside out before washing to minimize abrasion, help retain color, and avoid fraying. Don’t forget to zip and button them up to maintain their shape and prevent them from getting caught on other items.
Embellished Garments
Clothing items with buttons, zippers, studs, sequins, or other embellishments should always be washed inside out. Doing so not only protects the garment from damage, such as torn-off hardware, but also prevents delicate fabrics in the wash from getting caught, abraded, or pilled.
T-shirts, Sweaters, and Graphic Tees
Any garment with printed graphics, iron-ons, or embroidery benefits from being washed inside out. Turning these items inside out minimizes abrasion on the designs, helps retain color vibrancy, and prevents peeling.
Reusable Grocery Bags
Reusable bags can accumulate dirt and spilled liquids with frequent use, and washing them inside out ensures that the dirtiest surfaces come into contact with detergent and water.
Leggings and Other Activewear
Leggings, sports bras, and other activewear are prone to pilling. They also tend to accumulate sweat and body oils on the inside during workouts, making the inside dirtier than the outside. Washing these items from the inside out protects the fabric from abrasion, helps retain color for longer, and ensures that the dirtiest parts are properly cleaned.
Socks
It may seem counterintuitive, but in some cases, turning socks inside out can actually make them cleaner. Sweat and body oils accumulate on the inside, so turning socks inside out ensures that the dirtiest part comes into contact with water and detergent. However, there is an exception: socks that are particularly dirty on the outside, such as sports socks or indoor slippers.
