The Summer Laundry Mistake That Can Make Your Clothes Wear Out Faster

An apparel expert says summer laundry habits can be rough on your clothes. Here are his tips, along with the laundry habits I use to keep my own clothes looking better longer.

Summer is hard on clothes.

Everything feels like it needs to be washed sooner, especially after a hot day outside or a sweaty workout. So the instinct is usually to throw more into the laundry basket.

But according to Syed Obaidullah, Head of Production at The Jacket Maker, that can actually make the problem worse.

“In summer, people understandably want everything to feel clean, but the washing machine is not always the answer,” he says. “If a jacket, shirt, or pair of pants still smells fine and has no visible marks, give it some air before putting it through another cycle. Too much washing and too much detergent can wear down the fibers and make clothes look older than they are.”

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Not Everything Needs to Be Washed After One Wear

If something still smells fresh and does not have visible marks, I do not automatically throw it in the hamper.

This is especially true for pieces I only wore for a few hours, like a linen button-down, casual dress, lightweight pants, or a summer blazer. If I plan to wear it again soon, I let it air out instead of mixing it back in with freshly cleaned clothes. Usually, that means hanging it on a separate hook, chair, or clothing rack.

The key is not to treat “worn once” and “clean” as the same thing. Obaidullah says sweat, deodorant, perfume, and sunscreen can still sit in the fibers even if you cannot see them right away. If the item is going back into storage or will not be worn again for a while, it is better to clean it first instead of tucking it into the closet and forgetting about it.

Washing Gently Matters Just as Much

The main thing I try to do is make laundry a little less aggressive.

I use a gentle detergent, and I do not go overboard with it. More detergent does not automatically mean cleaner clothes. In a lot of cases, it just means more residue left behind, especially on summer fabrics and activewear.

I also wash most clothing inside out, zip zippers, fasten buttons, and use a mesh bag for anything delicate. It helps prevent snags and stretching in the wash.

Cold water is my default too. It is easier on fabric and helps colors last longer, and is less harsh on clothing that already gets a workout in summer.

I have been reaching for linen a lot more this summer, especially after testing a few Quince linen pieces that changed my mind on the fabric. But linen is also exactly the kind of material I do not want to beat up in the wash.

I Skip Fabric Softener

Fabric softener is supposed to make clothes feel softer and help with static, but I still do not use it.

The problem is that it can leave a coating behind, which is not ideal for workout clothes, towels, stretchy fabrics, or anything that needs to absorb moisture. Over time, that buildup can make clothes hold onto smells instead of actually feeling clean.

For gym clothes or towels that still smell a little off after washing, I sometimes use white vinegar in the rinse cycle instead. It can help cut through detergent residue and lingering odors without leaving that same coated feeling behind.

I do not treat vinegar like a miracle fix, and I do not use it in every single load. But for summer laundry, especially activewear, it is one of the few simple swaps I actually notice.

Try a Quick Refresh Before a Full Wash

Obaidullah also recommends a cool-water refresh for clothes that are still in decent shape but feel a little stale.

“The cool-water trick works really well on summer shirts, linen pieces, light trousers and anything that has picked up a bit of sweat around the underarms, collar or waistband,” he explains. “Run the affected area under cool water, gently squeeze out the excess, and then hang the item somewhere airy until it is completely dry.”

That is not a replacement for actual laundering, but it can buy you a little more time before a full wash. It is also a good option for items that tend to lose shape or wear down quickly.

Another trick I have seen people swear by is using a small spray bottle of plain vodka to freshen clothes between washes. It comes up a lot in travel groups because it is easy to pack and useful when laundry is limited, but you do not have to be traveling to use it.

It can also help at home with pieces that smell a little worn but are not truly dirty enough for a full wash. I would still test it on a hidden spot first and avoid using it on anything delicate, expensive, or hard to clean. It is not a replacement for washing, but for odor between wears, it can be a handy little refresh trick.

Treat Stains Before They Set

Summer stains have a habit of setting fast.

Sunscreen, deodorant, sweat marks, food spills, and makeup can all linger if you ignore them. I like to deal with stains early using a gentle stain remover (I love this stuff) rather than waiting until laundry day and hoping for the best.

For ink stains, I have also had good luck with the old hairspray trick. I would still test it carefully first, but it has saved more than one item for me.

The Dryer Can Be Just as Hard on Clothes as the Washer

According to Obaidullah, drying is one of the quickest ways to shorten the life of clothing if you are not careful.

“High heat is very damaging to fabrics,” he says. “It shrinks fibers, weakens elastic, fades colors, and makes clothing feel rougher than it would otherwise over time.”

I try to air dry as much as possible. If I do use the dryer, I keep it on low heat. Sometimes I will just fluff clothes for a few minutes and then let them finish air drying.

Dryer balls are helpful here too, since they can cut down on drying time. That means less heat exposure, which is never a bad thing if you are trying to make clothes last.

Obaidullah also points out that knitwear should not be hung to dry because the weight of the water can stretch it out. Laying it flat on a towel is the safer option.

A Few Extras That Help Clothes Last Longer

I prefer using a steamer over an iron when I can, especially for summer fabrics like linen. It is gentler, quicker, and less likely to leave odd creases or scorch marks.

And if something is starting to look a little tired, a fabric shaver can make a surprising difference. (This is the one I use and like.) It is one of the easiest ways to refresh pieces that have started pilling but are otherwise still in good shape.

Obaidullah also recommends fixing small issues early. “A small repair usually takes five minutes, but leave it for months and suddenly the seam has split, the lining has torn, or the button has pulled away with a chunk of fabric,” he says.

The goal is not to avoid washing your clothes. It is to stop being harder on them than necessary.

Some pieces need a full wash after one wear. Others just need to air out or be washed more gently when laundry day comes around.

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