Nine Items to Turn Around Before Laundering Right Side Out
Washing your clothes inside out ain't a one-size-fits-all solution, even though you might've heard that it helps keep 'em lookin' sharp. The reality is, not every garment is the same, and they ain't gonna respond the same way to the washing machine.
Most clothes have care labels that give clear instructions on how to care for 'em, so it's important to pay heed to those. Still, there's some confusion about whether clothes should be turned inside out before washing.
To set the record straight, we spoke to some washin' pros:
- Ocean Van, the owner at Coco Laundry in Long Beach, CA
- Tom Ceconi, the president at Heritage Park Laundry Essentials
- Mary Gagliardi (aka "Dr. Laundry"), a cleaning expert and in-house scientist at Clorox
The Lowdown on the Rule
So, should you wash clothes inside out? It depends, says cleaning expert Mary Gagliardi. Certain garments may need a bit of extra lovin'. "The rubbing of clothes against each other in the wash contributes to pilling and fading," Gagliardi explains. "Turning some types of clothing inside out can better protect 'em."
When turnin' an item inside out, remember to pretreat any stains first—just like you would if you were washin' it right-side out, notes Gagliardi.
Most of your laundry is good to go straight into the wash, says Gagliardi. Regular t-shirts, socks (without strong odors), towels, sheets, and dress shirts can all be tossed in without turnin' 'em inside out.
However, there are times when you should take a minute to turn 'em inside out.
The What What
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Clothes to Wash Inside Out
Turnin' clothes inside out before washin' can make a big difference in the care and keepin' of some garments. Here's when it's worth the extra hustle.
Care Label Recommends It
"Follow the care label—it's your first stop in takin' care of any garment," says laundry care expert Tom Ceconi. Don't skip this step, or you might miss out on crucial instructions to preserve the structure of your clothin'.
Denim
Denim fades fast, says Ocean Van of Coco Laundry in Long Beach, California. Washin' jeans inside out helps preserve the original color and reduces friction on zippers and seams.
Brightly Colored Garments
There's nothin' more frustratin' than a garment that's lost its vibrancy after just one or two washin's. Brightly colored items benefit from bein' washin' inside out to prevent color fadin'. "Inside-out washin' helps keep the color lookin' like new," says Ceconi.
Delicate Fabrics
Fabrics like bamboo, rayon, and modal have a tendency to pill, says Van. "Inside-out washin' gives these materials an extra layer of protection." Van recommends washin' on the delicate cycle, with cold water and a gentle detergent. Ceconi also advises laundrin' silk and wool items (including silk pillowcases) inside out in a separate hand-wash or delicate load with an enzyme-free detergent. To give these items even more protection, he suggests ploppin' 'em in their own fine mesh laundry bag before washin'.
Embellished Pieces
To prevent damage to garments with sequins, beading, or other embellishments, Ceconi advises turnin' 'em inside out before washin'. "I suggest turnin' 'em inside out and poppin' each one in a mesh laundry bag beforehand," he says. "Although any type of washin' machine drum can snag fabric, machines with agitators or impellers can do more damage."
In many cases, hand-washin' or dry cleanin' these items might be best. Be sure to follow the garment's care label.
Knits
Depending on the yarn and fabric construction, some knits are sensitive to pillin'. Blended yarns made of both natural and synthetic fibers tend to pill more, because the stronger synthetic fibers hold onto loose natural fiber ends, entangling them, formin' pills.
Gagliardi suggests checkin' the care labels to make sure machine washin' is appropriate. "If so, be sure to turn these items inside out," she says.
Graphic Tees
Iron-on graphics on tees can crack and fade over time, especially if you wash 'em in hot water. Turnin' 'em inside out and usin' cool water helps keep the artwork intact longer. Ceconi also suggests hangin' your graphic tees to dry to further protect the graphics from the heat of your dryer.
Athleticwear
It's best to turn your athleticwear (including leggings, sports bras, athletic socks, and swimsuits) inside out before cleanin' 'em. Sweat and deodorants can get 'em dirty from the inside out, says Ceconi. He also recommends usin' a mesh wash bag for extra protection. For the best results, hang athleticwear to air dry.
Baby and Toddler Clothin'
Keepin' baby clothes in pristine condition takes some extra effort. After pretreatin' any stains, it's best to wash baby and toddler clothes inside out in the machine.
"Sure, babies get stains on the outside of their clothes," says Ceconi, "but if you're cleanin' off a leak or diaper accident, defo wash the garment inside out."
Garments Not to Wash Inside Out
Not every somethin' in your laundry basket benefits from bein' flipped inside out. In fact, washin' some garments inside out can do more harm than good. "If you're dealin' with a food spill or dirt, leave the item right side out so the detergent can hit the stain directly," Van says. Pre-treat that bad boy with a stain remover and wash as normal.
Also, pet-hair-covered clothes should be washed left-side out (unless otherwise directed). Pet hair has a knack for stickin' to everything. Even the agitation of a washin' machine can struggle to loosen embedded pet hair. Van suggests keepin' clothin' covered in pet hair right-side out in the machine. Afterward, dry with dryer balls to further loosen pet hair.
Garments like graphic tees, knits, athleticwear, and baby and toddler clothes should often be washed inside out to preserve their quality, as advised by laundry experts. However, for food spills or dirt, washing clothes right-side out is recommended so the detergent can directly target the stain. Additionally, clothes covered in pet hair should be kept right-side out during washing to more effectively remove the hair when washed.
