September 10, 2025, 5:51 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Turning all clothes inside out by hand before every wash—does it really have to be done? If you want to enjoy your favorite pieces for a long time, you should take this simple rule to heart.
Many people turn each piece of laundry inside out—meaning the inside is facing out—only to painstakingly reverse the process after drying. After all, that’s how mom, grandma, and others did it. However, these are valuable minutes that household slackers would probably prefer to spend on other things. But anyone who loves their clothes is well advised to invest this extra time. myHOMEBOOK reveals which clothes you should definitely wash inside out.
Wash Clothes Inside Out
The reasons are as simple as they are obvious. During each wash cycle, pants, T-shirts, or sweaters are vigorously shaken and spun for about two hours. Especially during the spin cycle, enormous forces are at work—the friction ensures clean laundry, but clothes lose small amounts of material and color with each wash.
The result is abraded fabrics that appear dull and tired after just a few washes. This is especially true for “edgy” favorites like jeans. Additionally, zippers pose a challenge for the other items washed with them. Those who turn their clothes inside out before washing will enjoy them longer, with colors that shine more intensely and outer materials that remain intact.
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These Clothes, Especially, Should Be Washed Inside Out
Washing clothes inside out may be gentler on the fabrics, but we must admit that sometimes we’re simply too lazy to turn every single item before each wash. The good news: Many garments can withstand the spin cycle without being turned inside out first. However, there are a few items for which you should take the extra five minutes to ensure they last as long as possible. These include:
- Jeans
- Cotton clothing with prints or appliques
- Pants and jackets
- Bedding
These garments or textiles are more delicate than others and should therefore be washed inside out. For pants and jackets, you should also turn the pockets inside out to ensure the lining is thoroughly cleaned.
Also Leave Inside Out When Drying
Washing clothes inside out is one thing, but it’s not just the friction in the washing machine that affects the vibrancy of colors—drying in the sun does too. Therefore, it’s a good idea to leave the items inside out on the line until they’re dry. This protects the color of the clothes sustainably, and colorful clothing doesn’t look dull and faded.
Drugstores offer all sorts of products that promise to maintain the color intensity and longevity of laundry. But are they worth it? No, overpriced detergents that claim to keep colors bright and fabrics intact can be safely skipped in the future, as they can’t really counteract the mentioned “natural forces.” Instead, simply invest the few minutes to turn clothes inside out during each wash and enjoy your favorite pieces longer.