Health & Life

The Do’s and Don’ts of Laundry: What to Turn Inside Out

"Not every item should be turned inside out when laundering. Here's a list of items you should turn inside out to ensure their longevity."

Administrator

7 September, 2025

Not all garments should be turned inside out when laundering. Here are items you should turn inside out to ensure their longevity.

Even when sorting laundry by color, you might mindlessly toss clothes into the washing machine. However, making small changes in how you wash certain items can make them look newer and last longer. Turning specific garments inside out can help them stay cleaner while preventing color fading, pilling, and premature wear and tear. Here are items you should turn inside out before washing.

Jeans

Denim, especially dark-washed denim, is notorious for color fading and wear and tear at the hems, pockets, and waistbands. Whether your jeans are new or well-loved, turn them inside out before washing to minimize abrasion, retain color, and avoid fraying. Don’t forget to zip and button them up to maintain their shape and prevent tangling with other items.

Embellished Garments

Clothing with buttons, zippers, studs, sequins, or other accessories 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 from snagging, abrasion, or pilling.

T-shirts, Sweaters, and Graphic Tees

Any garment with printed designs, iron-ons, or embroidery benefits from being washed inside out. Turning these items inside out minimizes abrasion on the designs, keeps colors vibrant, 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 detergents 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 colors, and ensures that the dirtiest parts are properly cleaned.

Socks

It might 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 worn without shoes.