Clothing can be an expensive investment and we all want our clothes to look as good and last as long as possible. One way to extend the life of clothes is to protect them in the washer and dryer by turning them inside out. If your kids are like mine, they probably leave them inside out anyway after they take them off before tossing them in the hamper or on the floor! Learn why washing clothes inside out is a good idea and which type of clothing benefits the most from a quick turn.
Benefits of Washing Clothes Inside Out
Protection Against Color Fading
Color fading is almost inevitable as clothing is washed repeatedly. While you can’t halt dyes from fading completely, you can slow the process by washing clothes inside out. Each time clothes rub against each other in the washer, the friction abrades the fibers slightly causing the surface to look dull. By washing dark or brightly colored items inside out, you are protecting the finish.
A front-loading washer or top-loading washer with a bottom impeller uses a tumbling action for cleaning that is more gentle on fabrics than a washer with a center agitator.
Prevention of Pilling
If you’ve noticed pills or little balls of fuzz in the underarms of your sweaters, they are small wads of broken fibers due to the friction of fabric on fabric when your arms move. The same thing happens in the washer when fabrics rub against each other. While you can’t stop pilling completely, your clothes will look better if the pilling is on the wrong side of the fabric.
Protection of Embellished and Textured Fabrics
Garments with embroidery, beading, sequins, or patches can be damaged in the washer if the embellishments snag on a button or snap. Turning them to the inside will help keep them safe. The same applies to t-shirts and athletic jerseys with screen printed or heat-applied numbers and designs. Turning the garment inside out will help prevent cracking and loss of color. Textured and loosely woven fabrics like lace should be turned inside out to prevent snags.
Deeper Cleaning
Except for clothes worn during heavy outdoor work, the inside of a garment is exposed to the most soil from body oils, sweat, and skincare products. Turning a garment inside out allows detergents and water to penetrate these stains and odors more easily for deeper cleaning.
Which Clothes Should Always Be Washed Inside Out?
- Jeans and Denim Clothes: If you like dark denim, turn jeans and jackets inside out before washing. Less abrasion on the surface helps denim maintain its color.
- Dark-Colored Clothes: Keep black clothes black by turning them inside out to reduce fading and lint deposits.
- Knitted Clothes: Washing inside out helps prevent pilling when other fabrics rub against the fibers.
- Delicate and Embellished Clothes: Washing these garments inside out will help prevent snags and keep decorative elements safe.
Practical Tips for Washing Clothes Inside Out
As well as turning clothes inside out, you should follow these basic laundry steps to protect your clothes.
Sort Clothes Properly
Start by sorting clothing by color: light (white, pastel, light gray, and white background prints) and dark (black, red, navy, brown, and dark gray). Then sort by type and weight of the fabrics. For instance, don’t wash heavy jeans with light-weight blouses.
Close Buttons and Zippers
Before turning a garment inside out, close all types of fasteners (zippers, buttons, hooks, snaps) to prevent snags. It’s also a good idea to check every pocket for potential stain makers such as lip balms and pens.
Pretreat Stains
Visible stains should always be pretreated with an enzyme-based stain remover or a dab of laundry detergent before clothes are turned inside out. Work the stain remover into the fabric with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush and wait about 10 minutes before turning the garment inside out to wash.
Select the Best Washer Cycle and Water Temperature Setting
The same washer cycle does not work for every laundry load. Use the delicate or permanent press cycle for thin fabrics, and the normal cycle for towels or heavier fabrics. The same theory applies to water temperatures. Cold water will help protect colors and works well for most garments. Warm or hot water should be reserved for towels and bedding, cotton undergarments, and clothing heavily soiled with oil.
Use an Appropriate Detergent
It’s important to use a detergent that contains enough enzymes to loosen the bonds between dirt and stains and the fabric. However, there are detergents formulated for delicate and dark-colored fabrics that can help your clothing look better longer.
Dry Clothing Inside Out, Too
Drying clothes inside out helps protect exterior finishes. You’ll also see less lint on the right side of the fabric.
When Turning Inside Out Isn’t Needed
- Obviously, flat laundry like towels, sheets, and table linens can’t be turned inside out. If you have delicate linens like a lace tablecloth, use a mesh lingerie bag to protect the fabric in the washer.
- Heavily soiled work clothes or kid’s play clothes should pretreated and washed right side out so the dirtiest surface is exposed to cleaning agents and action.
