Woman Wears Same Wool Dress for 100 Days to Prove Its Self-Cleaning Powers

Brittany Balinski, a 34-year-old mom from North Warwickshire, England, took on an unusual challenge: wearing the same plum-purple wool dress every single day for 100 days, from December 17, 2024, to March 26, 2025.

Her goal? To prove that wool, a fabric often overlooked in modern wardrobes, is not only durable but also self-cleaning.

“I wanted to change people’s minds about wool,” Brittany said, challenging its “connotations of old ladies and warmth.”

The Power of Wool

Brittany’s love for wool stems from its natural properties, which she discovered while raising her four children—Benedykt, 8; Sylvester, 6; Otylia, 4; and Olympia, 2—“nappy-free.”

This parenting method, which skips diapers in favor of responding to babies’ cues, highlighted wool’s water resistance.

“If you’re quick enough, you can literally pour the wee off,” she explained.

“If it does sink in, you hang it on a line, and within an hour, all that liquid’s gone. That’s the beauty of wool people don’t get.”

A TikTok Journey

With over 50,000 TikTok followers, Brittany documented her 100-day challenge, showing how she styled the dress differently each day—adding a belt, tucking it into jeans, or layering it with wool jumpers.

“I didn’t plan to do it,” she admitted. “I saw people talking about the 100-day challenge in a Facebook group for Wool&, the brand behind my dress, and thought, ‘I’ve said it now, I might as well do it.’”

Her videos sparked lively discussions about sustainable fashion.

Facing the Critics

Not everyone was on board. Some online commenters were brutal, calling Brittany a “tramp” for wearing the same dress with minimal washing.

“I don’t understand how it shocks people,” she said. “I’m not doing anything weird.

It’s about being sustainable, mindful, and minimalist.” Despite the negativity, Brittany stayed focused, emphasizing that her approach saves money and reduces environmental impact.

Minimal Care, Maximum Results

Over the 100 days, Brittany washed the dress just four times, relying mostly on spot-cleaning and airing it out.

“It wasn’t necessary to wash it,” she clarified.

“I only did because I was washing other wool clothes for the kids.” She handled everyday messes—like a child’s snot or muddy dog paws—with ease.

“Mud just dries and brushes off,” she noted. “Try that with a white cotton T-shirt, and you’re stuck with a stain.”

Expert Backing

Brittany’s claims aren’t just personal anecdotes.

British Wool, a farmer-owned organization, confirms that wool’s natural oils and wax make it resistant to stains and odors.

This durability made wool a wardrobe staple for centuries, a fact Brittany wants to bring back into focus.

“When cared for appropriately, wool does not need to be rigorously washed,” she said, echoing historical wisdom.

Wool Beyond the Wardrobe

Brittany’s wool obsession extends to her home.

Her bedding includes a sheepskin throw, wool duvet, pillowcase, and mattress topper, all of which she says regulate temperature and rarely need cleaning.

“You just hang them up, unless they’re soiled,” she shared.

This approach aligns with her minimalist lifestyle, cutting down on laundry and waste.

A Natural Approach to Life

Brittany’s challenge is part of a broader commitment to natural living.

As a “full-time barefoot shoe advocate,” she ensures her kids wear minimalist footwear and pushes the fashion industry to prioritize comfort and function.

After a tough hospital birth with Benedykt, she and her husband, Damian, chose home births for their three younger children.

“We did everything as naturally as possible,” she said. “I’m not a hippie, but that’s how people see me.”

Inspired by a Movement

The 100-day challenge has roots in a campaign by Wool&, which encourages customers to wear their wool dresses for 100 days and offers a $100 gift card as an incentive.

Brittany wasn’t formally part of the campaign but was inspired by its community.

“The whole premise is to show wool’s versatility,” she said. “It’s a historical fabric that deserves a comeback.”

Looking Ahead

Even after 100 days, Brittany hasn’t tired of her wool dress.

“Come the autumn, I’m sure I’ll want to wear it again,” she said.

Her experiment has ignited conversations about sustainable fashion, proving that one dress—and one determined mom—can make a big impact.

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