Improper laundry practices are silently draining American wallets and harming the environment, according to a recent Homeaglow survey of 1,000 US adults. The findings reveal that Americans collectively spend an estimated $8.2 billion each year replacing clothing damaged during washing an average of $31 per adult annually.
The survey found that over 700 million garments are ruined annually due to improper laundry methods. On average, each adult damages between two and three items of clothing per year, and those who replace them report spending around $41 annually. Most damage stems from common issues like shrinking (73 per cent), color bleeding or fading (69 per cent), and stretching or warping of fabric (31 per cent).
A key factor behind this costly trend is a widespread lack of understanding of laundry symbols. When shown basic washing instructions, more than half (55 per cent) failed to correctly identify the ‘Do not bleach’ symbol. Similarly, 46 per cent could not identify the symbol for ‘Machine wash cold,’ and 44 per cent misinterpreted ‘Tumble dry low.’ In fact, 27 per cent believed the ‘Do not bleach’ symbol meant ‘Do not wash,’ while 30 per cent thought ‘Tumble dry low’ meant ‘Air dry only’ or ‘Tumble dry with no heat.’
This lack of knowledge appears rooted in habits. Nearly one in four adults (24 per cent) admitted they rarely or never check laundry instructions or are unaware they even exist. Only a third (33 per cent) reported always checking laundry labels before washing. Instead, 31 per cent of respondents said they wash all clothes the same way, regardless of material or color, while 10 per cent rely on default machine settings for every load.
Additionally, 30 per cent confessed they typically forget or ignore laundry labels, and 10 per cent admitted they don’t understand any of the symbols. These behaviors suggest that millions of Americans routinely wash garments incorrectly, leading to unnecessary wear, waste, and financial loss.
Beyond the financial cost, the environmental implications are substantial. With over 700 million items of clothing ruined annually, many of these likely end up in landfills, adding to the burden of textile waste.
The survey was conducted by Homeaglow on May 19, 2025, using the PollFish platform. The sample included 1,000 adults (44 per cent men and 56 per cent women) aged 19 to 81. Using weighted averages and US Census population data, Homeaglow calculated national estimates of damaged garments and replacement spending.
With rising concerns about inflation and sustainability, the survey underscores the importance of proper garment care. Simply learning laundry symbols and checking label instructions could save billions of dollars and millions of garments from going to waste.
