How Often You Should Wash Your Pajamas, According to Laundry Experts

Nothing makes me feel quite as cozy as a good pair of pajamas. I’m pretty strict about not letting my “outside clothes” touch my bed or other furniture, which means I change into pajamas as soon as I get home. Some days, that means I’m spending a lot of time in my pajamas, which led me to wonder: How often should you wash your pajamas? Laundry experts at the Home Care & Cleaning Lab and a fabric scientist filled me in on the answer. Surprisingly, there are a lot of factors to consider. Your shower schedule, your sleep temperature, and your nightly routine all play a role in how often you should be washing your pajamas. Experts break it all down below.

If you’re wondering what the experts think of other laundry conundrums, read up on what pros think about whether it’s ever okay to move someone else’s laundry, unspoken laundry room rules, and the common laundry mistakes that could ruin your favorite clothes.

Below, laundry experts explain exactly how often you should wash your pajamas. Consider this your excuse to buy a few more pairs of PJs to add into the rotation when your favorite ones are in the hamper!

If you’re looking for a general rule of thumb, Carolyn Forté, the former executive director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab, recommends the following.

“It’s a personal preference, but usually 3-4 wears is fine. If you shower before bed, you can likely wear them longer, but if you sweat at night or they get stained, they’ll need more frequent washing,” says Forté.

For a more precise ruling on how often to wash your pajamas, we’ve broken down the three most important factors to consider when evaluating your nightly routine.

“By considering these factors, you can determine the best washing routine for your pajamas while ensuring they remain clean and comfortable for a good night’s sleep,” says Kimberly Romine, fabric care scientist at P&G.

✔️ Shower schedule: Night showerers, you’re in luck. “If you shower before bed, your pajamas will likely stay fresher longer compared to nights when you skip a shower. This can influence how often you need to wash them,” she says. If you’re only ever wearing your pajamas after freshly showering, you can get away with less washes. However, you’ll still need to consider the other factors listed.

✔️ Activity level: If you’re hitting the gym before bed, or even snacking in bed, you might need to wash your PJs after each wear. “This can lead to increased soil and odor, necessitating more frequent washing,” says Romine.

✔️ Body temperature: Whether or not you tend to sweat at night can completely change how often you need to wash your pajamas. “If you tend to sleep hot, you might need to wash your pajamas more frequently. Conversely, if you sleep cool and stay relatively dry, you may be able to extend the time between washes,” says Romine. After a particularly hot night, you should throw your PJs in the wash to prevent buildup of body oils or sweat before your next wear.

To keep your favorite pajamas looking and feeling like new, follow these expert-approved laundry tips.

• Pay attention to care labels: Different materials call for different care. “Always check the care instructions on the label to ensure proper washing and drying,” says Romine.
• Wash with similar fabrics: Throw your PJs in with clothes of similar colors and materials to ensure proper care.
• Use a mesh bag: Prevent agitation and preserve your pajamas for as long as possible by putting them in a protective laundry bag before washing.
• Wash in cold water: “Washing in cold water with a high-quality detergent can help preserve colors while being energy-efficient,” says Romine.

Although you can push how often you wash your pajamas based on the previously mentioned factors, when in doubt, there’s not much harm that can be done from washing them after every wear, especially when following the proper care label instructions. “Not washing your pajamas regularly can lead to a buildup of body oils, sweat, and skin cells, which can cause unpleasant odors,” says Romine.