Clothes for the cleaning day

Short answer: Cleaning means sweat and movement in every direction. Soft, stretchy clothes that can take many washes are what you reach for, ideally items that are already a little worn, so stains from cleaning products do not matter.

Movement

You bend down, stretch your arms up and kneel to reach under the furniture. Stretch in the fabric matters more than the cut. Trousers that pull across the knees or slide down when you bend soon get annoying. Choose a soft waistband that stays in place. See bamboo sweatpants for women.

Sweat

Indoor work quickly makes you sweat, especially when vacuuming, mopping or carrying buckets. A layer that moves moisture away from the skin makes it more comfortable and reduces the clammy feeling afterwards. A short-sleeved T-shirt is easiest, as the sleeves stay out of the water. See bamboo T-shirt for women.

Many washes

Work clothes for the home are washed often and need to cope with it. Choose items that keep their shape after many washes, and wash them inside out at 30 to 40 degrees. Avoid fabric softener and the tumble dryer, and they will last longer. See the full washing guide.

Stains

Cleaning products, especially those with chlorine, can bleach coloured clothing instantly. So wear items that are already worn when you use strong products. Put on gloves and rinse quickly if you get splashes on your clothes. That way you avoid pale marks on the clothes you want to wear out.

Reusing worn clothes

Tops that have become too worn to wear outside are ideal for cleaning. They may have a little pilling or a faded colour, but they are still soft and comfortable to work in. The clothes get an extra life before becoming rags. More on judging this in how to tell that clothes are worn out.

For men

The same applies for men. A soft T-shirt that moves sweat away and trousers with stretch make cleaning more comfortable. Wear the oldest T-shirts for the day, so stains from cleaning products do not end up on the ones you wear every day. See the matching items in bamboo T-shirts for men.

Layers you can take off

You may start cold while airing the rooms and end up warm after an hour on the floors. A thin layer over the T-shirt that can come off makes it easier to keep an even temperature. Open windows mean draughts, so a layer to wear while airing out helps in the colder months.

Socks

If you walk around in socks all day, the soles wear faster, and the floor may be wet after mopping. Wear the pairs that are already worn, and change into a dry pair when the floors are done. The good pairs then last longer. See all bamboo socks for women.

After cleaning

When the house is clean, it is nice to be clean too. Change into fresh clothes and put the cleaning clothes straight in the laundry, so sweat and dust do not linger. Rinse out any splashes of cleaning product before the clothes go in the machine, so it does not mix with the rest of the wash.

Frequently asked questions

What matters most in cleaning clothes?

Stretch, and that they can take many washes. The clothes need to move with you as you bend, stretch and kneel, and keep their shape even though they are washed often.

Can cleaning products damage clothes?

Yes, products with chlorine in particular can bleach coloured clothing. Wear items that are already worn, and rinse quickly if you get splashes on the fabric.