Paris: Recent guidelines from France’s ADEME have ignited controversy over laundry frequency, suggesting less washing for items like jeans and bras to promote eco-friendliness. Experts weigh in, highlighting common practices and hygiene concerns while advocating for reduced environmental impact.
Recent guidance from the French Government-backed Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME) regarding laundry practices has sparked significant debate and backlash among the public. The agency’s 16-page guide, titled “How to clean in a more environmentally friendly way,” asserts that excessive washing not only contributes to water pollution but also accelerates the wear of clothing.
ADEME’s recommendations specify that while underwear should be washed after every use, gymwear can be laundered after one to three wears, bras after seven, and jeans can endure up to a month of wear before requiring a wash. While these guidelines are aimed at promoting ecological sustainability, the advice has faced ridicule across social media channels.
Annabel Fenwick Elliott, a journalist and self-described “gross girl,” has openly supported ADEME’s stance on reduced laundry frequency. In her piece for MailOnline, she expressed agreement with the agency’s advice, stating, “I do agree with advice issued by the French government…that people are washing their clothes far too often.”
In light of the new guidelines, laundry experts have weighed in with varying opinions regarding the optimal cleaning frequency for specific items of clothing. Lulu O’Connor, founder of The Clothes Doctor, highlighted a general tendency among individuals to “overwash,” attributing this behaviour to convenience over garment care. O’Connor suggested washing sheets and pyjamas weekly, bras every three to four wears, and permitting jeans to be washed after about 30 wears or whenever they begin to emit an unpleasant odour.
Katie Mortram, the household advice editor for Good Housekeeping UK, echoed an easing of laundry frequency recommendations, indicating that jeans may be laundered every ten wears unless visibly soiled. In a conversation with DailyMail.com, US cleaning expert Caroline Solomon reinforced these views, advising that bras should be washed after three wears and leggings after every use. Her recommendations also included protective measures, such as washing bras in a mesh bag to help preserve their shape.
Discussions around laundry frequency have extended beyond everyday clothing items to include seasonal attire. Australian cleaning expert Alexis Todorovski provided guidelines for winter garments, recommending that jumpers only need washing every two to three wears. For jackets and coats, which garner less frequent direct skin contact, Todorovski suggested cleaning them only once per season. However, he noted that accessories such as beanies and scarves—often the most neglected items on laundry days—should be laundered at least weekly due to their close contact with the skin.
Overall, the recent guidelines and expert opinions contribute to a broader conversation about clothing care practices in the context of environmental sustainability and hygiene.
Source: Noah Wire Services
