At some point (in a galaxy, long long time ago) I learned to turn jeans, shorts and hoodies inside out when putting them into washing machine. For some reason, I don’t do the same with smaller, simple things like T-shirts and underwear.

I forgot what was the reasoning behind it, but when I think about it, can’t seem to come to a conclusion which way is better.

Is one way better than another and why?

  • owenfromcanada@lemmy.ca
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    3 months ago

    Generally you want the dirtiest part on the outside. I find for things like jeans, I leave them outside-out; T-shirts are often inside-out.

    The other reason to turn things inside-out is if there are designs or other features that you want to protect.

    In short, whatever is on the outside is going to get the “rougher” treatment.

  • Nawor3565@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    3 months ago

    I’ve only been told to turn T-shirts or garments with dangling bits inside out, so that the friction of rubbing against the other clothes doesn’t wear off the print.

    I don’t really see how turning stuff like hoodies inside out would affect anything, apart from maybe preventing the button/zipper from clanking around in the dryer (which admittedly IS very obnoxious)

    • netvor@lemmy.worldOP
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      3 months ago

      Just about the only thing I remember was that my mom always said that one should zip them up and not leave the zipper open – specifically so that it does not clank around and perhaps scratch the washing machine drum or get its tiny teeth brush and the moving part tangled with other, softer garments.

      Turning the hoodie inside out might mitigate that a little bit more, but not much…

  • dan1101@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    I only turn t-shirts with prints on them inside out. I also zip up zippers so they don’t abrade other things.

    • netvor@lemmy.worldOP
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      3 months ago

      I usually dry inside and I make sure to turn stuff inside out before hanging it on the rack but I do it because I believe it dries better when things like pockets can be stretched out.

      UV is a great point, I never realized that.

  • sopularity_fax@sopuli.xyz
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    3 months ago

    I dont know any of the finer details but my thought and real practice is that when washing jeans, its better to wash them inside out and all zipped up + pockets out. Not sure where I heard it but I’ve always observed that

    It cant be worse than doing them rightside whatever so try it if you like. Anecdotally, my jeans tend to last basically forever if there arent already stylistic holes or tears in them.

    • netvor@lemmy.worldOP
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      3 months ago

      So it looks like I’ve been doing it all wrong all the time. Especially with hoodies, there’s always a t-shirt under them, so the “dirtier” side of the hoodie is more likely to be the outside.

      With jeans it’s kind of the same, assuming not too much sweating (and proper underwear turnaround).

      • ozymandias@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        3 months ago

        well your bare legs are on the jeans… and i’m sure your underwear smell enough to pass by touch….
        it depends on how much stain is on the outside… a lot of people almost never wash their jeans.
        there’s also any printing, and and kind of wear would be better on the inside… like fuzziness or messing up stitches…. it basically keeps it looking newer.
        i’m too lazy for all of that but i do always zip up any zippers so they don’t distort from each other when hot, or snag anything else.