Woman Says Whe Washes Clothes Once a Year

A sustainability advocate maintains her clothing remains odor-free while washing them just once a year. For many, laundry is a tiresome duty that can also strain the environment. Reducing laundry use minimizes the impact of washing machines, along with saving on costs for washing tablets and fabric softeners. This is prepared by SSP.

As winter approaches with cold and rain, we layer our clothes more than ever. T-shirts, coats, trousers, and underwear can get dirty quickly, often after only one or two wears. Cydney, a wildlife conservationist from Surrey, believes frequent washing is unnecessary and claims one can go an entire year without washing clothes.

Cydney is an eco-conscious advocate for slow fashion. On TikTok, she shares her unconventional washing life under the handle @cydney214. Instead of traditional laundering methods, she freezes her jeans rather than washing them. She finds joy in seeing the dirty water when she finally does choose to wash items.

"I wash my clothes once a year," she states. "My wool items also get a yearly wash. Some may find that grim, especially if worn often. However, wool possesses unique qualities that allow me to do this."

Wool is naturally anti-microbial and anti-fungal. This material efficiently wicks sweat and heat, preventing lingering odors. Additionally, the surface of wool resists water and stains. Steamery, a Scandinavian clothing care brand, confirms the practicality of wool, noting it stays fresh longer between washes compared to cotton or synthetics. Ultimately, this means fewer washes during the garment's lifetime and a significantly reduced environmental impact.

On her TikTok, Cydney demonstrated how she cleans a two-year-old jumper that she has washed only twice. Using only water and fabric softener, she soaks and rinses the jumper repeatedly before wrapping it in a towel to dry. Though she acknowledges this lifestyle may not fit everyone, she encourages investing in high-quality wool.

Cydney notes that nearly 500,000 tons of microplastics enter oceans annually due to washing synthetic fabrics. She emphasizes, "Wool doesn’t require frequent washing as synthetics do. How satisfying is it to see the color of the water?"

She cautions against the risk of damaging wool and cashmere through frequent washing. Many viewers on TikTok resonate with her perspective. One commenter expressed, "I never wash my trousers unless I spill food on them, and they smell fine." Another shared, "I echo this advice. Layers made from cotton or linen can be washed more often."

Comments flooded in, with users saying, "Your videos inspire me to ensure my clothing lasts, thank you!" and, "Just wear a T-shirt underneath so regular washing isn’t necessary."