One of my girlfriends told me

[Muse]

She said when I do my laundry, I should turn my clothes inside out before putting them in the washing machine, they'll endure less wear. Is this really a good idea? For some clothes? Always? Never?

 

[olds]

Heard it before. If one was that worried about it, be sure to use liquid soap too.

 

[Imp]

Less wear to the "show it to the world" side.

You should also zip up all zippers and do up buttons so they don't tear everything up.

Wash jeans and other rough materials on their own.

 

[sixone]

I turn some stuff, not to save wear (I don't think it's true), but to protect buttons or other stuff sewn onto the fabric.

Always zip zippers and hook buttons or hooks - like on a bra. Don't want them getting caught on your other clothes and causing rips.

 

[blackangst1]

I turn some stuff, not to save wear (I don't think it's true), but to protect buttons or other stuff sewn onto the fabric.

Always zip zippers and hook buttons or hooks - like on a bra. Don't want them getting caught on your other clothes and causing rips.

+1. Also if you have a front loader, theyre super gentle so the wear thing is kind of a non issue.

 

[CallMeJoe]

A sensible precaution for sweaters, logo clothing or any fabric particularly subject to "pilling"

 

[Zedtom]

I'm thinking that the washer, the detergents, and the dryer wears out my clothing faster than wearing it does.

 

[Kadarin]

I think my g/f uses way too much liquid fabric softeners and chlorine free bleach and whatever other crap when she does laundry. I put on a pair of jeans and they were extremely soft... It felt very wrong, somehow.

 

[MotionMan]

I generally will wash new clothes inside out.

Now that I think about it, I have no idea why I do that (but I will continue to do so )

MotionMan

 

[IronWing]

It depends. If you have a dryer it might not matter. If you line dry your clothes then wash them inside right. Nothing short of pulling on cold wet jeans sucks more than turning wet clothes inside right. <shudder>

 

[mmntech]

+1. Also if you have a front loader, theyre super gentle so the wear thing is kind of a non issue.

Yep, they don't have the big ass auger the top load ones have. I have a few holey shirts that got eaten by our old machine.

Some delicates need to be turned inside out. I only do it if the label specifically asks for it. Doesn't hurt to do it.

 

[0roo0roo]

probably valid for printed shirts, but unless its something important, its not worth bothering with

 

[cKGunslinger]

Most of my clothes are already inside-out after removing them. I just have to remember to check my jean pockets.

 

[Incorruptible]

Its a good idea to turn them inside out, I do it all the time and there is noticeable difference with less wear

 

[Leros]

Never thought about that, but it makes sense. As a guy who hates clothes shopping and tries to keep his current clothes in shape as long as possible, I think I'll be doing this in the future.

 

[nonameo]

its disappointing that clothes wear out so fast. Why can't I wear the same clothes for 30 years?

 

[FoBoT]

old wives tale
follow the laundry directions on the clothing label
if the manufacturer doesn't say to do it, you don't need to do it

 

[IronWing]

its disappointing that clothes wear out so fast. Why can't I wear the same clothes for 30 years?

Polyester for life.

 

[DigDog]

you *should*. i never do. who cares?

i wash everything at 90; that which survives is fit to be my clothes. that which doesn't goes in the bin.

 

[Gooberlx2]

The only time I wash clothes inside out is when they happen to turn inside out when I take them off.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

mythbusters

 

[Kreon]

I turn screen printed T-Shirts inside out, as it seems to have less wear on them when they go through the dryer.

I also don't use fabric softener, just enough liquid detergent, and cold water when washing my clothes.

My sheets on the other hand get the hot water and the fabric softener. Love me some soft sheets. Even if it means they wear out faster.

 

[Muse]

It depends. If you have a dryer it might not matter. If you line dry your clothes then wash them inside right. Nothing short of pulling on cold wet jeans sucks more than turning wet clothes inside right. <shudder>

You can line dry them inside out, rectify things when they're dry.

Polyester for life.

I love polyester, well especially 50% poly/50% cotton, otherwise known as wash and wear. Keep the iron on the shelf. They feel very very nice, too, almost like silk, and they seem to last forever. Works for shirts and pants.

The only time I wash clothes inside out is when they happen to turn inside out when I take them off.

Not a bad idea, then. I think I'll start making a habit of this, at least for shirts, probably pants too.

I turn screen printed T-Shirts inside out, as it seems to have less wear on them when they go through the dryer.

I also don't use fabric softener, just enough liquid detergent, and cold water when washing my clothes.

I've tried to be pretty religious about turning screen printed T-shirts inside out to protect the printing.

I never use fabric softener, I hate the smell of the stuff. So often when I go out in my backyard the air stinks from it from some neighbor doing their wash. Foul stuff.

 

[Matthiasa]

My stuff goes insides out when I take it off so flipping it back would just be an extra useless step.

 

[ElFenix]

old wives tale
follow the laundry directions on the clothing label
if the manufacturer doesn't say to do it, you don't need to do it

the manufacturer has an interest in your clothes wearing out faster :sneaky: