I do all the laundry because I’ll actually take the time to separate darks or lights and use the different settings on the washer or dryer. I also do all the laundry because then I can toss clothes that are still “pretty clean” to me (meaning those that have been worn in a climate-controlled, splatter-free zone for a period of less than one work day) straight into the dryer with a sheet to "refluff" them for another wear.
I certainly do this pseudo clothing "spin cycle" with my own clothes. Skirt and top worn for a four hours where I pretty much sat in front of my computer? Tumble, maybe iron, then hang it back up, it is good to go. Sweater I may have worn for two hours before deeming it was too warm and tossing in my car for the rest of the day? May just get folded again and replaced straight back into my drawer. Dry clean clothes – I may very well wear them again (and maybe again - and maybe ...) dependent on condition after each wear.
Does BF know that I don't automatically wash everything he's already touched? I don't think he can tell once everything is freshened, flattened and folded or hung. Plus as far as I know, he doesn't read the blog, so he'll never know, bwahah- oh, not a bwahah-worthy moment?
Now I am assuming this is pretty normal behavior, but I’ve never asked before, so are you gals reading along and mentally nodding, asking for where the big “So what?” is? Or are you instead kind of grimacing at the monitor hoping you’ll never be unlucky enough to run into me and grubbies in a dark alley?
How do you keep your clothes fresh between cleanings? Or am I just naively a dirty person and clothes need to be laundered after each individual wear?
Top: J.Crew spangled stripes (worn here - sim here, here, tunic here, cardi here)
Skirt: F21 fitted knit (worn here - sim here, here, lighter here)
Collar: Asos gold sequin (worn here - sim necklace here, luxe here)
Bag: Cooperative by UO mixed media neon (worn here)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction swim n fool (worn here - sim here, here)
Ummm, I dry clean my DS wool pencil skirts once a season. They may get dryel'ed in between. I wear cashmere sweaters multiple times before washing. You are not alone and I suspect many of us are "worse" than you!
ReplyDeleteI've literally been meaning to check Dryel out forever but still haven't. I honestly only dry clean once every few months because I am lazy and always hate spending money on it. Those clothes end up in "the pile that goes nowhere".
DeleteLOL, I have a pile that goes nowhere too. It has some particularly delicate silk tops and wool skirts that have spots on them in it. TOTALLY know what you mean.
DeleteYeah, my J.Crew victoria tops have not seen the light of day in quite probably over a year. Worst yet, once I finally do go to the cleaners, it takes me forever to pick my stuff back up!
Deleteoh my god. OUTFIT ENVY. i am so jealous of the sweater, bag, and shoes!
ReplyDeletethe hardest thing that i battle with can be food smells - if we cook something with onions or similar, febreeze is my best friend.
laurafornerphotography.blogspot.com
I know what you mean by smells, sometimes I'll toss pillows and such into the dryer with a dryer sheet to freshen them. And I am totally one of those people who leave their blankets, rugs, etc. out on super hot sunny days - kill the smells!
DeleteI think men are purposefully not good at doing certain things so we can do it for them. I truly believe it's a game they play for things they don't want to do. But anyway, I launder my clothes after 1-2 wears. Dry cleaning garments may go a little further. Love your re-fluff method Lisa. I may have to try that! HaHa
ReplyDeletehttp://www.averysweetblog.com/
I agree, girl, but I can't risk anymore clothes to test out the laundry theory, haha. BF to this day still can turn light-colored clothes into some technicolor blunder!
DeleteSounds pretty normal to me! 4 hours of wear does not mean dirty. I do 3 days in jeans and i KNOW that's icky, but after 2 pregnancies and going through crazy weight changes that left me weighing less than i did before i was pregnant with either child, i am limited in my wardrobe more than ever. So 3 days to jeans it is! Haha!
ReplyDeleteI think jeans have their own rules, that's why I always travel with jeans. When all else fails, throw on the jeans, they're still good!
DeleteIt depends on where I wear the item. Restaurants with food smells-in the wash or dry cleaning pile. Otherwise, my items can we worn several times before laundering if I'm only wearing them to the office or somewhere benign.
ReplyDeleteAnd the "ridin' dirty" title made me LOL.
Ridin' dirty ... that's just how I roll, girl. ;o)
DeleteI am in love with the sequin sweater and collar...so sparkly :) I will definitely "re-wear" something if I only had it on for a few hours, doesn't count! And my hubby is the one that does our laundry, I'm spoiled!
ReplyDelete-Sharon
Your hubby is a keeper! (As if you didn't know that already, haha!)
DeleteTshirts/blouses/dresses that are worn right next to my skin (i.e., near the armpits, hehe) get washed after one wear. Everything else (pants, skirts, sweaters, etc.) gets worn several times (no less than 5 times, usually) before being washed. I usually just hang those up overnight so that they can air out before putting them back in my closet.
ReplyDeleteI always wash the whatever is worn closet to my skin after each wearing - assuming a full day of wearing. Jeans are worn twice and then have are so stretched out they look awful. Skirts, jackets, etc...unless there is a lingering odor or stain a quick dryer fluff and back into the closet they go. Since we've had moth issues, I do wash cashmere after nearly every wearing because the tiny beasts love our scents and have destroyed some of my favorite pieces. DH is good about laundry and knows what can't go in the dryer. He does not get the concept of separating darks and lights-consequently my new white kitchen towels are pink due to a red apron and a flaky DH.
ReplyDeleteYour DH is better than my BF. BF still (to this day) turns my towels into random colors and has already shrunk/misshaped way too many of my clothes!
Deletewell, since time immemorial it seems laundry has never been convenient for me, whether washing jeans 2 days in advance in high school since we didn't have a dryer (oh, those crusty air-dried husks), to lugging huge army bags to the laundromat once a month at university (I still have sooooo many pairs of underwear!), to now occasionally having the correct change to use the machines in my building... Yep, it ain't dirty until it looks or smells dirty But then, I have so much clothing that very few things get worn successively! I do end up having to handwash silk blouses at least every second wearing, but it doesn't take long, and I have a steamer for finishing!
ReplyDeleteDon't they say you shouldn't wash denim anyway? or not often?
"Crusty air-dried husks" to described air dried jeans - I am rolling on the floor laughing because I totally know what you mean! Back in the day, my mom would still hand wash and dry all the laundry even though we had a washer/dryer in the house! Thank goodness nowadays to using dryers and dryer sheets!
DeleteUrm, I do this too. A lot. Partially because I do about 4875 loads of laundry a week between my three kids and fiance and I try to limit what I can of it and partly because a lot of my clothes are cheap so I am afraid of something happening to them. Also, my guy does the SAME THING. Word to the wise, though, do not EVER reveal that you do this (put "dirty" clothes back). I made this mistake a couple of weeks ago. It was . . . not pretty. I mean, who wants to spend an hour arguing about that? Anywho, I love the look today, as usual. The gold collar is just the best as are the leopard shoes and sequined sweater!
ReplyDeleteMen ... they can wear the same shirt for two days straight and be OK, but as soon as it comes off their body? Even after only five minutes, it's dirty?!
DeleteFirst of all, looove the outfit. The color, the stripes, the leopard, the sparkle!
ReplyDeleteNow, about our clothes washing habits, I absolutely do this too. I feel like if you haven't really worn an item for more than a few hours/didn't leave the house/get dirty stains/sweat profusely then it's not necessary to put them in the washer right away. For me it's mostly because I feel it keeps clothes in better shape. I feel like constant washing after each wear can be damaging for the fabric in the long run. Lucky for me, JB thinks the same way--or he's just lazy, I'm not sure. He also doesn't have very good aim when it comes to the hamper, lol.
I agree, I've destroyed way too many clothes by trying to be good and keep them clean - nope ...
DeleteI'm actually remarkably close to "Anonymous" in my laundering. If it's next to my skin and for more than 2 hours it gets washed. If it's an upper layer it gets shaken out and put away for the next (and maybe the next, next and one more next) time.
ReplyDeletexox
I do the same thing ... I pick clothes from his mountain of tossed clothes and hang/fold stuff and put them away because when I ask him what he needs washing ... he points to that mountain since he's too lazy to sort through it and check. I'm just glad he tosses his undies in the hampers [since his socks never make it from the entrance room].
ReplyDeleteHi, it is 2012 yet most of the women here still do all the laundry in the household ...
DeleteI'm like you...environment,length of time wearing and condition it's in when I take it off are all evaluated before laundry:)
ReplyDeleteBut, that outfit....it's the shizz!!!! Love! And your blog title made me lol:)
Steaming is also a great way to keep clothes fresh and clean between actual laundering. I find it lifts lingering food smells and light stains really well, in addition to de-wrinkling. Plus, it's less wear on garments than ironing or tossing in the dryer.
ReplyDeleteI think your laundering practices are quite sound.
I'm always wanted a steamer, especially since I hate ironing. If it removes smells too, then that is some awesomeness I can't miss out on!
DeleteMen! My husband refuses (absolutely never) puts his clothes away even after I wash and fold everything. They end up sitting on our couch until I nag him to put it away in his closet.
ReplyDeleteWhen BF lived alone, his clean clothes lived on top of his dryer and his dirties were in a pile under the bathroom sink. Oh men ...
DeleteMr. Dina does what you do, especially with his and the kids jackets. I actually hang all mine up on a hanger and hang them outside (if it is warm) and in the bathroom (if it is cold). I like the bathroom idea as I often take baths with yummy bath salts and the smell lingers which gives a nice scent to the clothing. That said, I only hang the items overnight in the bath, toddlers and my hung clothing are not my favorite scenario waiting to play out.
ReplyDeleteI think this outfit makes you look lovely, and I have to say every time I see your freckles, I smile. You have amazing skin!
I love airing and sunning clothes (and blankets, pillows, rugs) when it is nice and toasty outside. It just reeks of Clean to me!
DeleteOk, I'm gonna gross you out. I hardly ever wash sweaters, skirts and pants. I mean seriously like maybe once a year. I wash tops more frequently but I can seriously wear them about 5 times before washing them. If they don't smell, I continue to wear them. I wear underwear, of course, which I wear for about 24 hours before they go into the laundry. And I wear my exercise clothes several times before washing them. I'm just gonna sweat in them again, so who cares.
ReplyDeleteMy mom is a hard-core environmentalist. We were recycling bottles, cans, etc. in the 1960's....long before anyone else I knew. Plus, I grew up in California during many long periods of drought. We were told "if it's yellow, let it mellow. if it's brown flush it down." And we had buckets in the shower to catch any excess water which we could use for other things. And my mom always made sure that clothes that were thrown into the laundry were actually dirty. It was totally wasteful if they weren't. So this certainly has rubbed off on me. Plus, I handwash ALOT of my clothes and can't be bothered to wash them all the time. I think I haven't taken anything to the dry cleaners in about 15 years. I just handwash it instead or it doesn't get washed.
I once had a boyfriend who would try on 5 outfits before deciding what to wear. (Yes, he was vain.) The 4 outfits that he didn't wear would end up on the floor and then eventually the laundry. It made me insane the amount of water and energy he wasted! The clothes were clean!
Unfortunately my BF sounds a bit like your ex. He doesn't try on a bunch of outfits, but he may wear a tee for an hour, then need to go somewhere so he changes, then that tee is now considered dirty. Me, I'd fold that stuff back up!
DeleteLOL love this post. I totally don't wash everything I wear...and will re-wear it again a few more times. However, I usually only do that with pants, skirts, and dresses. I use Dryell instead of dry clean too. I guess that is pretty much similar to sticking it in the dryer with a fabric softner sheet.
ReplyDeleteI'm right on board with you. And I think this is probably because I still do coin laundry so I just can't afford to wash as frequently. Plus, it's good for the environment :)
ReplyDeleteLove that sequin collar. I had no idea it was a separate piece. You sneaky little bugger :P
Oh no, coin laundry! I've got my own washer/dryer now, I can't go back! But yes, amount of dirty clothes accumulated between washings was vastly different back during coin laundry days ...
DeleteMy laundering practices depend on the weather. When it's really humid and hot here, things get washed after every wear. But on cooler days, and when I only wore it to sit for a couple of hours in a freezing-cold classroom -- it goes back on a hanger in the closet.
ReplyDeleteThe Mr. has a hamper and uses it, but there is a hierarchy of dirtiness. If it's hanging on the edge, it's OK to re-use. If it definitely needs cleaning - it's lying on the bottom of the hamper.
Hahah, that's hilarious - "hierarchy of dirtiness!"
DeleteI love love this look on you Lisa! The gold collar is awesome!!
ReplyDeleteGreat sweater Lisa! Lookin' super lady-like!
ReplyDeletexoxo
www.natashafatah.blogspot.com
I take care of laundry the same way. I kept hollering in my head "AMEN, sister!" The only thing I have to add about dude clothes is a note about socks- my husband yanks them off in a wad, whips them in the general vicinity of the hamper and leaves them where they lay. We have two rules. If it's in the hamper on laundry day, it gets washed. And they get washed wadded up and after a few washes are vaguely crunchy and replacement socks are desired, he has to purchase them with only nickels. Sock shame.
ReplyDeleteThis is hilarious about the socks and the hamper rule. I wish the OCD in me would let me do that but it drives me crazy to see the odd tee or sock on the floor next to the hamper, I have to pick them up!
DeleteOMG I LOVE this pattern and color combo! Lookin' good, lady!
ReplyDeletehttp://bestdressedinthenest.tumblr.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RobynsNestBoutique
I love that you're so honest! I am guilty...
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely not alone!! I wash only what needs to be washed. I layer a lot in the winter. Usually the under layer gets washed every other wear. The top layer gets washed much much MUCH (haha) less often.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, we're not even going to get into outerwear, haha!
DeleteI'm with you! I wash the clothes that have been through the most wear. If something can be perked up in the drier I'll take that route.
ReplyDeleteLove the sequins on sequins look. Very high fashion!! :)
You look adorable, Lisa! I love the dryer idea; I don't know why I never thought of it! I basically wash shirts after every wear, though bottoms and cardis get several till they are stretched out or just feel dirty. And I have been using Dryel for years instead of going to a dry cleaner. Works for me!
ReplyDeleteI'll throw shirts or jeans in the dryer with maybe a wet towel or something, or with a half load of to-be-dried laundry. It "refluffs" some clothes and I think it shrinks back in some stuff that may not be deemed dirty, but has stretched out a bit with wear.
DeleteYeah, I've got to check this Dryel stuff out!
Hi Lisa!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised only one other person has mentioned Febreeze so far! I had a friend in high school who joked he never did laundry - only Febreezed - but I think that's a little extreme for me. I didn't know about tossing something in the dryer without washing it - I'm going to have to give that a try some time! Thanks! (:
Hi June - see above comment to Michelle on how I do it, how not like there's a formula to it or anything. ;o)
DeleteOh I love me some Febreeze. I Febreeze the couches, the bed sometimes, the rooms where they are carpet ... I don't necessarily love the scent of it, but it sure knows how to mask the scent of a wet dog, haha!
Loving that top and blue skirt ;) and that is a really unique bag :) Laundry and me = (-_-)" haha so I shant comment on this lol
ReplyDeletekatattack2000.wordpress.com
I used to wash everything I put on my body, even if just for an hour. Then I realized how it was wasting water & energy. The greener side of me came out & now I try and get at least 2 wears, jeans may even get 3.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't even thinking about being green, I'm just lazy, haha!
Deleteso gorge!!!
ReplyDeletewww.style4curves.blogspot.com
I am sooooo in love with those shoes. I've been searching for the perfect leopard pump and you've just ended the search. I love your blog. Visit me sometime :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Jillian
www.nusophisticate.com
Nope I do the exact same thing, so if you're dirty, we're dirty together :)
ReplyDeletewww.saysskippy.blogspot.com
Im impressed that he knows the whereabouts of the hamper! The "man chair" seems to double as a hanger and hamper!!!! SMH!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute! LOVE the sparkly stripes!
ReplyDeleteI try to wear things at least twice before washing. I don't even bother to put in dryer like you do. Clothes that need to be dry cleaned get multiple wears before they go back!
ReplyDeleteAnother winning look. I may have a copy-Lisa month of outfits lined up.
Love your sweater! I am a serial don't wash it til its dirty girl. I'll use febreeze or a clothing mister to keep things fresh between wears (let hang for a few hours) and it works great. I've never thought about drying them to reshape - maybe once I don't live in an apartment where you pay through the nose to wash and dry, I'll try it!
ReplyDelete...Lauren
Actually, that is definitely a bwahah moment! Lol Jeans definitley gets longer wear at our house ;)
ReplyDelete