How Often Should You Wash Your Pajamas?

When you think about it, there are a lot of decisions to make at bedtime: Floss or wait until morning? (Experts say it doesn’t matter.) Should I bring those crackers to bed? (Yes! Believe it or not, a light snack might help you sleep better.) Book or streaming? (Although it’s tempting to watch another episode of Suits, you should probably put down your screen.) Now you can add this pressing question to your list: Can I rewear my pajamas from last night or do I need a fresh set? 

You might think the obvious answer would be to wear those flannels again — pajamas are only worn inside at night, so why add to your laundry drudgery, right? It makes sense to wash undergarments, socks, and even T-shirts after one wearing, but it seems logical to let that nightie go a few more rounds.

On the other hand, think about everything you put your pajamas through on an average night — tossing and turning, sweating, that coconut body lotion you like to slather on right before bedtime. Maybe it is wise to toss those PJs in the hamper in the morning, after all. So, what do the experts say?

How Often You Wash Depends on a Few Factors

Dr. Jason Singh, MD, a family physician in Ashburn, Virginia, points out what’s lurking in your favorite onesie that might merit more frequent washing. “Dead cells, oils, and other substances are secreted by your body at night. These can get onto your pajamas and foster growth of bacteria and microorganisms, and byproducts from these organisms can contribute to body odor,” Dr. Singh said in a TikTok video. “So the magic number of times you should change it out is after three wears. It can be done more frequently if you sweat a lot at nighttime or during hot summer months.”

It Also Matters What Type of PJs You Wear

Other experts say the type of garment makes a difference, too. Things that are tighter-fitting may require daily washing; they cause more friction against your skin, causing more dead skin cells and skin oils to rub off and become trapped in the fabric. This not only can make the fabric smell, but can sometimes lead to conditions like body acne. 

Your personal hygiene habits are a factor as well. The American Cleaning Institute says that you can get around three or four wears out of your pajamas before you put them in the wash — but if you have a habit of showering before bedtime, you might be able to wear them a few more nights.

How Often Do People Really Wash Their PJs?

We took an informal poll of friends, colleagues, and other people who sleep, and found that the average number of wears was anywhere from two to five before washing, with consideration given to other factors such as weather (less in winter, more in summer), skin conditions (requires more frequent changes), hot flashes, and if they were at home or traveling. Only a couple of people said they washed their PJs after every wearing, a few valiantly defended their habit of going a week or longer before changing them out, and some suggested putting an end to the debate by eliminating pajamas altogether.  

Ultimately, it sounds like rewearing your pajamas for two to four days is perfectly fine and within what experts advise, though personal circumstances may affect that number. Use your common sense; if you notice an odd smell, the fabric feels weird, or there seems to be an accumulation of cracker crumbs cascading down the front, it’s probably best to toss those jammies in the wash.