Laundry on Chol HaMoed – The List of Permitted Exceptions[1]

In general, laundering clothing on Chol HaMoed is forbidden.^[2] This prohibition applies even if the clothing is needed for use during Chol HaMoed itself, and certainly if it is being washed for after the festival.^[3] This remains the rule even if all of one’s clothing became dirty^[4], and even if one properly prepared before Yom Tov by laundering all garments.^[5] Nevertheless, Chazal permitted laundering in a number of specific situations.

The following is a list of the recognized exceptions.

• One who returned from overseas, was released from prison or captivity, was released from excommunication, or was released from a vow may launder clothing on Chol HaMoed, as such circumstances prevented proper preparation beforehand.
• Example Reb Avraham Weiss returned home from an unexpected overseas trip on the first day of Chol HaMoed. Since he had no opportunity to prepare clothing beforehand, he may launder his clothing during Chol HaMoed.
• If a person owns only one garment of a given type, such as only one jacket, kapoteh, pair of pants, or shirt, and that garment became dirty, it may be laundered on Chol HaMoed.^[6] This applies even if the garment was not washed before Yom Tov.
  • Reb Yosef Friedman owns only one kapoteh. During Chol HaMoed, it became noticeably dirty and unfit to wear. Since he owns no other kapoteh, he is permitted to wash it.
• Clothing that is customarily changed on a daily basis due to sweat or dirt may be laundered if all such clothing has become dirty^[7] and no clean replacements remain.^[8] This includes items such as socks^[9], undershirts, and underwear.^[10] In hot climates where it is customary to change shirts daily due to perspiration, shirts fall into this category as well.^[11] One may only launder the amount needed for the remainder of Yom Tov.^[12]
  • Leah Cohen has several pairs of socks and undershirts that are changed daily. By the middle of Chol HaMoed, all of them became dirty, and she has no clean ones left. She may launder the necessary undergarments needed for the remainder of Yom Tov.
  • In a hot climate, Reb Shimon Ben‑David customarily changes his shirt daily due to perspiration. When all his clean shirts ran out, he was permitted to wash the shirts he needs for the remaining days of Yom Tov.
• If all garments of a certain type became so dirty that they are unfit to be worn in public, and one has no ability to purchase new clothing, laundering is permitted even if one owns multiple pairs. If new clothing can be purchased, that option must be used instead.^[13]
  • Reb Moshe Klein owns several pairs of weekday pants. During Chol HaMoed, all of them became heavily soiled and could not be worn in public, and there was no store open where he could purchase new ones. In such a case, he may launder the pants.
• Shabbos clothing may be laundered if no other suitable clothing is available and wearing alternatives would cause embarrassment.^[14]
  • Reb Yaakov Rosen had only one pair of Shabbos pants. When they became stained before Shabbos Chol HaMoed, and wearing weekday pants would be embarrassing, he was permitted to wash the Shabbos pants.
• Children’s clothing that is commonly and frequently soiled may be laundered on Chol HaMoed, as this is considered a regular and unavoidable need.^[15]
  • Rivka Goldstein has young children whose clothing becomes dirty frequently. When their clothes became soiled during Chol HaMoed, she was permitted to launder them, as this is a regular and unavoidable need.
• Towels may be washed if one is accustomed to changing them frequently and no clean towels remain.^[16]
  • The Levin family is accustomed to changing towels often. When all their towels became dirty during Chol HaMoed and no clean ones remained, they were permitted to wash them.
• Blankets may be washed if the blanket in question is the only one available for use.^[17]
  • Reb Chaim Adler had only one blanket available for use. When it became dirty during Chol HaMoed, he was permitted to wash it.
• Floor rags may be washed if no other rags are available.^[18]
  • Esther Stein needed to clean the house during Chol HaMoed but had no clean floor rags available. She was permitted to wash the rags in order to continue cleaning.
• Individual stains may be cleaned if leaving the stain would cause permanent damage to the garment. According to all opinions, it is permitted to remove stains using a dry brush. Some authorities also permit cleaning stains with water or detergent.^[19]
  • Reb Dovid Mendelson spilled wine on his jacket. Leaving the stain would cause permanent damage to the garment. He was therefore permitted to clean the stained area. According to all opinions, he could at least scrub it with a dry brush.

🧺 Laundry on Chol HaMoed – Permitted Cases (Practical Table)

[1] See Chol Hamoed Kehilchasa chapter 5; Shemiras Hamoed Kehilchaso chapter 14; Piskeiy Teshuvos 534:3

[2] Michaber 534:1; Mishneh Moed Katan 13b

[3] M”B 534:1; Kaf Hachaim 534:1

[4] Tosafus Moed Katan 14a; Chol Hamoed Kehilchasa ibid footnote 5

[5] Bach 531; Chol Hamoed Kehilchasa ibid footnote 6

[6] Michaber 534:1; Rebbe Yochanon Moed Katan 18b; Beis Yosef 534 in opinion of Rosh, Rambam, and Rif; M”A 534:3; Mamar Mordechai 534:2; Chol Hamoed Kehilchaso 5:6; See Kaf Hachaim 534:11

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule it is forbidden to launder clothing on Chol Hamoed even if one only owns one pair. [Rabbeinu Peretz, brought in Tur 534; Bach 534; Derisha 534:2; See M”B 534:9 who seems to side with the astringent opinion; Rav SZ”A in SSH”K 66 footnote 240; Piskeiy Teshuvos 534:4 rules stringently]

[7] Michaber 534:1 regarding hand towels, as explained in the Tur 534 and M”A 534:2 that this applies being that these clothing are changed daily, and thus it applies even if one has many clothing of that type that became dirty during Chol Hamoed; Elya Raba 534:1; Chayeh Adam 110:2; M”B 534:4; Kaf Hachaim 534:4; Beir Moshe 7:10 that this applies to all clothing that are changed daily in one’s current society

[8] Tosefes Chaim on Chayeh Adam 110:1; Shulchan Shlomo; Kaf Hachaim 534:2; Chol Hamoed Kehilchasa 5:12 footnote 18; Piskeiy Teshuvos 534:3 that even if one knows he will not have enough for the entire Moed, he may not launder if he still has a clean pair available

[9] Chol Hamoed Kehilchasa 5:11

[10] See Beir Moshe 7:10; Shraga Hameir 7:43-3; SSH”K 66:66; Chol Hamoed Kehilchaso 5:2; Piskeiy Teshuvos 534:3

[11] See Shraga Hameir 7:43-3 and Bier Moshe ibid; See however Piskeiy Teshuvos 534:4 that one may not launder shirts even if they are all dirty.

[12] Aruch Hashulchan 534:3; Implication of wording of some Rishonim, brought in Nispach to Chol Hamoed Kehilchaso p. 180

[13] See Shemiras Hamoed Kehilchaso 14:5 footnote 11

[14] See Chol Hamoed Kehilchasa 5:24

[15] Rama 534:1; Kitzur SHU”A 104:13; Chol Hamoed Kehilchaso 5:15-20; Shemiras Hamoed Kehilchaso p. 14:14-16; Piskeiy Teshuvos 534:3

[16] Michaber 534:1

[17] Leket Yosher p. 104; Chol Hamoed Kehilchaso 5:32

[18] As they become dirty constantly, and hence falls under the allowance of the Michaber in 534:1

[19] See Beir Moshe 7:33; SSH”K 66:73; Shearim Hametzuyanim Behalacha 104 Kuntrus Achron 13; Rav SZ”A in Shulchan Shlomo 531; Chol Hamoed Kehilchasa 5:33; Piskeiy Teshuvos 534:1; Shemiras Hamoed Kehilchaso 14:6