Dr Michelle Dickinson on why the nose knows best  

“The human nose is an excellent tool, and one we should trust more when it comes to deciding if clothes are clean enough to live another day.  

Most of the smells we associate with dirty clothes come from bacteria breaking down sweat and skin oil. Sweat is mostly water and nearly odourless. It’s only when bacteria start digesting it, particularly in warm, damp areas like armpits, groins, and feet, that they release smelly byproducts.  

Of course, some items should still be washed regularly regardless of their smell, like clothes that are visibly dirty, used for hygiene-sensitive tasks, or worn close to intimate areas.  

Natural fibres like merino are known for being naturally antimicrobial, odour-resistant and moisture-wicking, so it can often be worn multiple times before needing a wash. On the other hand, synthetic fabrics like polyester tend to trap oils and bacteria, and can cause persistent odours.  

You can trust your nose – if it smells clean, it probably is!”  

 

 

 

Together, we have the power to save 107 million litres of water in 24 hours  

New Zealanders use an estimated 107,246,700 litres of water per day on washing.  

 

 

 

  

Natural fabrics that pass the Sniff Test  

If you want less laundry to be an ongoing thing, consider switching to these natural fabrics that don’t hold on to odours.  

Merino  |  Cotton  |  Wool  |  Silk  |  Linen  |  Bamboo  |  Hemp 

 

 

 

"No Laundry Day is a reminder that small actions, like skipping one load, can add up – especially when we do it together."  

-Pablo Kraus, CEO ecostore  

 

 

 

Smarter Laundry Habits  

As well as following your nose, make No Laundry Day your starting point to: 

Wait for full loads before washing. 

Consider the care requirements for different fabrics. 

Choose cool-water cycles. 

Skip the dyer where you can and dry clothes outside. The UV rays of the sun can help get rid of germs. 

Choose high-performance, concentrated laundry products, which require less energy and resources to produce and transport. 

Opt for septic tank and greywater-safe detergents. 

 

 

 

CHALLENGE: Can you cut back to one or two loads per week?  

 

Don’t forget to tell us about your efforts on social media!  

 

 

*New Zealanders use an estimated 107,246,700 litres of water per day on washing.