Washing inside out

Short answer: Turn clothes inside out before washing. It protects the right side from friction and is the easiest way to keep the colour. Here is why it works, where it matters most and what else to think about.

Why it works

Wear happens where the fabric rubs against the drum and against other clothes. If you turn the garment, that rubbing happens on the inside, which nobody sees. The right side is spared, and it is the side that needs to look good when you put the garment on and step out of the door.

Rubbing in the drum

During a wash the clothes move around and rub against the drum and against the other garments. That is a fixed part of the wash and you cannot avoid it, but you can decide which side of the fabric takes the rubbing. Inside out, it is the inside, and it costs you nothing to do it.

What it does to the colour

Colour fades from friction as much as from water and light. Inside out, the inside fades first, and the garment looks newer for longer. The simple habit is therefore the easiest way to keep the colour, and it needs no extra products. See bamboo t-shirts for men.

Water and light are not everything

Many people only think of water and light when colour fades, but rubbing does just as much. That is why a garment can turn dull even if it has never hung in the sun. When you turn the clothes, you tackle the part of the problem that you can do something about yourself.

Where it matters most

It matters most in dark colours, in prints and in anything with a smooth surface that shows wear. That is where rubbing is easiest to see, and where you have the most to gain. If you have clothes where the look matters, turn them before they go in the drum. See bamboo clothing for women.

Prints and smooth surfaces

A print can turn dull or worn if it rubs against the drum. A smooth surface shows wear clearly, because there is nothing to hide it. Inside out protects both the print and the surface, and you get a garment that keeps its look for longer.

Socks and underwear

Socks and underwear benefit from it too. They are washed often and sit close to the skin, so they have to stand up to many washes. Turn them before they go in the drum, and they stay nice for longer. It is a small effort that easily becomes a habit. See bamboo socks for men.

Does it get just as clean

Yes. The dirt sits mostly on the inside anyway, and it now faces outwards towards the water and the detergent. You lose nothing in cleanliness, and the right side is spared the worst of the rubbing. It is a habit with only advantages, and it needs no other change to the wash.

Drying and white clothes

If you dry in the sun, dry inside out, because it protects the colour from fading. White clothes need it less, but it still protects against pilling on the right side. So turn the whites too, if you want the right side to stay smooth.

Frequently asked questions

Does it get just as clean?

Yes. The dirt sits mostly on the inside anyway, and it now faces outwards, so you lose nothing in cleanliness and the right side is spared from rubbing.