Change clothes when you come home
Short answer: A fixed change of clothes at the door makes outdoor clothes last longer and gets the home clothes used. It saves washing and makes the shift into free time clear, without needing anything more than a fixed hook or a hanger.
What you gain for the clothes
Outdoor clothes taken off after five hours instead of fifteen wear less and can be aired instead of washed. It is the simplest way to extend their life, because the fabric is rubbed and sweated in less. Fewer washes also mean that colour and shape hold for longer.
What you gain for the day
The change marks that the working day is over. For many who work from home, it is the only clear boundary left between work and free time. The body follows when the clothes change, and it is easier to relax in something that does not remind you of the desk. See homewear in bamboo.
How to make it easy
Keep the home clothes hanging in the same place every day, preferably near the door or in the bedroom, so you do not have to search. The fewer steps between coming home and changing, the more often it gets done. See bamboo sweatpants for men and Bamboo Basics for simple pieces for home.
What can simply hang
Outdoor clothes that have only been worn for one day without sweat can be hung up and aired until the next day. Trousers, sweatshirts and jackets can often be worn several times before they need washing. Underwear and clothes that have been close to the skin should be washed after use.
The clothes at the door
A hook or a hanger by the door means the outdoor clothes do not end up on a chair or in a pile. The clothes get air and keep their shape, and you can see what is still clean. When they lie in a pile, they often end up in the wash even though they do not need it.
What home clothes should do
Good home clothes should be soft, fit comfortably and cope with many washes. They should work for the whole evening, even if someone drops by. Choose something you want to put on, otherwise the change ends up being postponed until just before bedtime.
If you work from home
Change into something else when work ends, even if you have not been outside. It can be as little as changing trousers and top. The change creates the pause that the walk home would otherwise give, and it makes it easier to leave the computer alone.
Nightwear is something else
Nightwear can be used as home clothes, but then there is no change before bedtime, and the line between day and evening blurs. If you have room, two sets are an advantage: one for the evening at home and one for the night, so each has its purpose.
A few habits that last
Start by changing every day for a week and see whether it feels right. Choose a fixed place for the home clothes and a fixed rhythm. Most people find it takes under a minute and makes the evening more relaxed, without having to do anything else.
Frequently asked questions
How many sets of home clothes should you have?
Two. One on and one in the wash. If you have room for a third, it can be practical in winter when warmer layers are needed. But two sets are enough for one to always be ready.
Can you use nightwear as home clothes?
You can, but then there is no change before bedtime. Many prefer to keep the two apart so the night feels different from the evening, but there is no requirement to do so.
What about days when you are going out again?
Then change anyway and put the same clothes on again later. The change takes a minute, and the outdoor clothes get a pause and a chance to air before they are worn again.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
