It happens easily. The laundry is done, but the clothes don't feel quite fresh. Maybe they smell a little, feel stiff or don't look as clean as you had hoped. Then many people do the same thing. You start the washing machine again and think that an extra cycle should solve the problem.
But does washing clothes twice really make them cleaner?
Most of the time it's not about the number of washes
According to Swedish washing advice and recommendations, good washing results are rarely about washing several times, but about washing correctly from the beginning. If clothes do not come out really clean the first time, it is in most cases due to how the washing was carried out, not because it needed to be repeated.
Detergent is designed to dissolve grease and dirt during a wash cycle, hold the dirt in the water and then rinse it away. If this doesn't happen, the process isn't working properly, and then simply doing the same thing over again rarely helps.
When an extra wash can still help
There are times when a new wash can make a difference. If the clothes were very dirty, if the machine was overloaded or if the temperature was too low in relation to the dirt, the result may be worse than expected. In such cases, a new wash can give a better end result.
However, this does not mean that two washes are the solution in themselves. Rather, it shows that the first wash was not adapted to the situation.
Why two washes often don't produce cleaner clothes
If grease, sweat or odors remain after the first wash, it is often because the detergent has not been given the right conditions to work. Too little detergent can prevent the dirt from dissolving. Too much can leave residue in the fabric. An overfilled machine means that the clothes do not have room to move properly and the dirt is not rinsed away properly.
When you then run the same wash again, with the same settings, you just repeat the problem. The clothes may feel freshly washed, but the reason they weren't really clean still remains.
An extra rinse is often better than a new wash.
If the problem is that your clothes feel stiff or you suspect that there is detergent residue left behind, an extra rinse may be more effective than starting a whole new wash cycle. Many washing machines have an extra rinse option, which can help remove residue without unnecessary wear and tear on your clothes.
Two washes wear out more than you think
Every wash involves mechanical wear. The fibers are worn, the surface becomes rougher and the clothes have a harder time staying fresh over time. Frequently washing the same garment twice can therefore have the opposite effect in the long run. The clothes can start to look worn out more quickly and attract dirt and odors more easily.
This way you get better results without rewashing.
Instead of washing twice, it is often better to review your washing routine. The right amount of detergent, the right amount of load and the right temperature for the type of dirt make a bigger difference than an extra wash. In some cases, a different program or extra rinse may be enough to get the result you want.
