As soon as I get home from a day out, I rush to my bedroom. And while I would love nothing more than to just lay down on my bed right away, there's one thing I must do first: change out of my outside clothes.
I work in New York City, so taking public transit home might intensify my strong urge to change out of anything that even grazes the subway. But I've also always felt this way, regardless of where I was living at the time. And I know other people who agree — I even have a close friend who has to take a post-airport shower before touching any furniture.
While I know it's a common concern, I've always wondered how valid it really is. To dig into the "outside clothes" debate, I spoke to two cleaning experts about the transfer of germs and whether or not it's really necessary to change before sitting in bed.
Is the "outside clothes" concern valid?
According to the ISSA, outside clothes — particularly work clothes — have the potential to transport germs that have latched onto the fabrics into your home.
"Clothes that have been worn outside can carry dirt and dust. These contaminants can transfer to bedding or upholstery, leaving unwanted soils on your indoor fabrics. Additionally, outdoor clothing may harbor odors that can linger in your living space," says P&G Fabric Care Scientist Kimberly Romine.
Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director Carolyn Forté agrees that while she would potentially sit on the couch with "outside clothes," the bed is a hard no.
How to prevent spreading germs at home
If you're running errands in your car or going on a quick walk around town, it's not as crucial to change your outside clothes before taking a seat around the house. However, high-traffic areas like the airport and public transportation are another story. To avoid spreading germs at home, follow these expert-approved tips.
- Change your outfit as soon as you get home.
- Wash clothes after each wear (especially if you're wearing them in crowded urban areas).
- Aim to wash your bedding every week. If you skip a week every so often, that's not a problem. Still, try not to go longer than two weeks without washing, Forté recommends.
- Use a high-quality detergent with each load of laundry.
Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Premium Laundry Detergent
The verdict
While changing out of your outside clothes isn't necessarily a widely-accepted rule, Romine highly recommends it. "This simple step helps prevent the transfer of dirt and odors to your bedding, ensuring a cleaner and more pleasant sleep environment," she says.
When it comes to other surfaces in your home, like the couch or your dining room chairs for example, the guidelines are a bit more relaxed. Just consider where you've been that day — if the chances you've managed to pick up a few unwanted germs are high, consider getting into a fresh pair of pajamas before settling in for the night. It's cozier that way anyway, at least in my opinion.
Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC's TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.
