You may have heard that washing your clothes inside out can help keep them looking better for longer. But not all garments are created equal, and there is no one-size-fits-all rule for washing your clothes. Luckily, most clothes have their own set of washing instructions, conveniently located on the attached care label. Still, there remains some confusion as to whether clothes should be turned inside out before washing.
To better understand this supposed "rule," we turned to some laundry care experts.
The Truth Behind the "Rule"
So, should you wash clothes inside out? According to cleaning expert Mary Gagliardi, it depends. Certain garments may benefit from a little extra attention. “The mechanical action of clothing rubbing against other items in the load contributes to pilling and fading,” Gagliardi explains. "It makes sense to turn some types of clothing inside out to better protect them."
Tip
When turning an item inside out before washing, be sure to pretreat any stains first—just as you would if you were washing the item right side out, notes Gagliardi.
Gagliardi says that most of your laundry can go straight into the wash, as is. Generally speaking, socks (without permeated smells), plain t-shirts, towels, sheets, and dress shirts can all be tossed into the wash without first turning them inside out.
However, there are some instances where taking a moment to turn garments inside out is recommended.
What Clothes Should You Wash Inside Out?
Turning clothes inside out before washing can sometimes make a big difference in the care and keeping of certain garments. Here’s when it's worth the extra step.
Any Item Where the Care Label Recommends it
“The care label should be your first stop in taking care of any garment,” says laundry care expert Tom Ceconi. Do not skip this step, as you might miss instructions critical to properly preserving the structure of your garment.
Denim
"Jeans tend to fade fast," says Ocean Van, owner of Coco Laundry in Long Beach, California. "Washing them inside out helps preserve the original color and reduces friction on zippers and seams."
Brightly Colored Garments
There is nothing more frustrating than a garment that has mysteriously lost its luster after only one or two washes. Brightly colored apparel benefits from being washed inside out to prevent color fading. "Inside-out washing retains the color and makes it look like new," says Ceconi.
Delicate Fabrics
Delicate fabrics like bamboo, rayon, and modal are prone to pilling, notes Van. "Inside-out washing adds a bit of protection." He recommends washing on the delicate cycle with cold water and a gentle detergent.
Ceconi also advises laundering silk and wool items (including silk pillowcases) inside out in a separate hand-wash or delicate load with an enzyme-free detergent. For additional protection, he recommends placing these items in their own fine mesh laundry bag before washing.
Embellished Pieces
To prevent damage to garments embellished with sequins, beading, or other detailing, Ceconi advises turning them inside out before washing. "I recommend turning them inside out and placing each one in a mesh laundry bag beforehand," he says. "Although any type of washing machine drum can snag fabric, machines with agitators or impellers can do more [damage]."
In many cases, hand-washing or dry-cleaning these items may be best. (Be sure to follow each garment's care label.)
Knits
“Depending on the yarn and fabric construction, some knits may be sensitive to pilling,” Gagliardi explains. “Blended yarns made of both natural and synthetic fibers are more prone to pilling because the stronger the synthetic fibers hold onto loose natural fiber ends, entangling them to form small balls (pills).”
Gagliardi urges checking care labels to ensure machine washing is appropriate. “If so, be sure to turn these items inside out,” she says.
Graphic Tees
When it comes to your favorite concert or playoff game t-shirts, those ironed-on graphics have the potential to crack and fade over time, especially if you wash them in hot water. “Turn them inside out and use cool water to keep the artwork intact longer,” Cecon advises.
Ceconi also recommends hanging your graphic t-shirts to dry, as your dryer's heat can do even more damage to those beloved graphics.
Athleticwear
According to Ceconi, it's best to turn your athleticwear—including leggings, sports bras, athletic socks, and swimsuits—inside out before cleaning.
"Unlike 'regular' clothing, these garments are much more likely to be dirtied from the inside out," he notes, due to the presence of sweat and deodorants. Ceconi recommends turning them inside out and using a mesh wash bag for extra protection. For best results, hang atheleticwear to air dry.
Baby and Toddler Clothing
Keeping your baby clothes in pristine condition takes some extra effort. After pretreating any stains, baby and toddler clothing is best turned inside out before washing in the machine.
“Of course, babies get all sorts of stains on the outside of their clothing,” says Ceconi, “but if you are cleaning off a leak or diaper accident, definitely wash the garment inside out.”
Garments That Should Not Be Washed Inside Out
Not every item in your laundry basket benefits from being flipped. In fact, washing some garments inside out can do more harm than good. “If you’re dealing with a food spill or dirt, leave the item right side out so the detergent can hit the stain directly,” Van says. Pre-treat with a stain remover and then wash as normal.
Additionally, pet-hair-covered clothing should also be washed as is (unless otherwise directed). Pet hair has a way of sticking to everything—even the agitation of a washing machine can have a tough time freeing embedded hair. Van recommends keeping clothing covered in pet hair right side out in the machine. Afterwards, dry with dryer balls to help further loosen pet hair.