Scientists and cleaning pros settle the debate about whether changing clothes when you arrive home is necessary.
Where youre from and where you live play a role in your thoughts on the subject.
For most everyday scenarios, regular laundry protocols likewashing with a high-quality detergentare enough to clean fabrics thoroughly.
Credit:Getty Images / ilona titova
Fabrics tend to trap particulates, like pollen, which become airborne later and trigger allergies.
From a laundry science standpoint,we recommend washing clothes after every wear," says Wang.
Youll still need toregularly wash your bedsheets, even if they arent coming into contact with outside clothes.
The general recommendation is to wash your sheets every one to two weeks, Wang says.
Where you live and what you encounter regularly also affect your hygiene practices.
Come home hot and sweaty?
Did a random dog jump on you at the dog park and leave paw prints on your pants?
Do your clothes get filthy at your construction or landscaping job?
Do small hands grab at your clothes after wiping their runny noses at your teaching job?
If so, change into something clean and more comfortable.
So Is Changing from Outside Clothes a Necessity?
Changing from outside clothes isnt necessary for everyone.
For Wang, that means changing when she gets home before touching other surfaces.
In most cases, these workers wear some kind of PPE (personal protective equipment).
If not, laundry becomes more important.
Thats fine, but the real concern with public transportation is personal hygiene, says Gagliardi.
