Most Brits Believe It's Totally Fine to Rewear Socks and Underwear!

THE AVERAGE Brit thinks it’s perfectly acceptable to wear socks and underwear twice before washing them.

A poll of 2,000 adults found 18 per cent will even wear the same pair of three times or more before changing them, and 11 per cent said the same about .

The nation agreed bedding must be in the washing machine after precisely a fortnight of sleep Credit: SWNS A poll of 2,000 adults found 18 per cent will even wear the same pair of socks three times or more before changing them Credit: SWNS

But the items that can survive the highest numbers of wears were identified as coats (nine), jackets (eight), and scarves (seven).

While 24 per cent said they’d never washed a pair of gloves, a bag (47 per cent), slippers (41 per cent), or trainers (40 per cent).

Certain split the vote, with 35 per cent cleaning their t-shirts after every use and 33 per cent believing these could be worn three or more times before being chucked in the basket.

There was more agreement on non-clothing items, as the nation decreed bedding must be in the washing machine after precisely a fortnight of sleep and a towel after five showers.

A spokesperson from Utilita, which commissioned the research as part of its award-winning High5 campaign , one of the tips being to wash laundry at 30 degrees instead of hotter, said: “The idea of what constitutes cleanliness clearly varies more than we might think.

“While some are staunchly one-wear-washers, others take a more ad hoc approach and are happy to continue wearing clothes until they definitely can’t get away with it.

“No matter where you fall in this debate, as long as you’re mindful of the amount of energy and water you use to keep your fabrics fresh, that’s all that really matters.”

Reasoning behind washing habits differed depending on each item – as habit or routine was most likely to determine the frequency socks (31 per cent), bras (21 per cent), and bedding (40 per cent) should be washed.

But for t-shirts, 25 per cent were more likely to take a sniff-and-see approach and are happy to keep wearing it until there is an obvious scent.

Overall, though, routine is the biggest dictator of when people will launder their items, with 35 per cent best aligning with the approach of wearing something for a set number of days before cleaning it.

Overtaking those who determine this exclusively on whether an item of clothing has visible stains or is starting to smell (22 per cent), according to the OnePoll.com figures.

Regardless of their approach, the survey found the largest number (42 per cent) take an eco- and energy-friendly approach of always loading the washing machine, no matter what, with 36 per cent saying the same unless there’s been an emergency and something has been very badly stained.

In the period between washes, they instead employ various cleaning methods instead of using the machine, such as covering smells with perfume or cologne (24 per cent), hand washing to remove specific stains (46 per cent), and rinsing in the sink (20 per cent).

When it is time to load up the washing machine, 50 per cent will set this to 30 degrees or colder, but 35 per cent still default to a hotter setting.

After being asked what may convince them to use a lower temperature, 37 per cent cited saving money on their energy bills.

Others cared more about the results, for example seeing the same effects as washing on a hotter setting (34 per cent), if it would protect their clothes’ colour (31 per cent), or preserve their condition for longer (29 per cent).

The Utilita spokesperson added: “It’s great to see most of the nation are already following best practice when it comes to their trusty washing machines.

“Keeping this cooler when you’re putting a load on not only protects the quality of your clothes and household items, but can also save you money in the long run.

“We know how important it is to keep energy bills down wherever possible, and this is just one small way of staying on top of them.”