7 Things You Should Wash Every Week (but Probably Aren’t), According to Laundry Experts
Unless you like wrapping yourself in body oil, mildew, and bacteria.
You’re probably well aware that that funky dishcloth needs to be cleaned after a second use (max!), but there’s a lot of gray area as far as how often things should be laundered around your house. (For instance, you may be able to wear your jeans all season long before they need a scrub!)
But there are likely a few things that need to be cleaned weekly that have fallen off your radar—and may not be cleaned as often as they should, according to laundry experts. That could lead to not only bad odors—but a potential for skin irritation or infections due to bacterial growth. And all that dirt buildup could have consequences for your fabrics, too. “Regular washing of the fabrics in your home prolongs the life of the fabrics by preventing soil and odor buildup,” says Kim Romine, a fabric care scientist for P&G.
Get ready to toss a few of these things in the wash right away!
The smart thing to do? Give anything fabric in your house a weekly inspection for stains or smells. That way, you’ll notice if your throw pillows, sofa slipcovers, shower curtains, or your duvet cover need a good wash. “The key is to trust your nose and eyes,” says Becky Rapinchuk of Clean Mama. “If something smells or looks dirty, it’s time to wash it!”
- Becky Rapinchuk, creator of Clean Mama
- Kim Romine, fabric care scientist for P&G
Bath Towels
You’re only putting it on your fresh-from-the-shower body, so it feels like you should be able to keep using the same bath towel for a while. But Romine says that at least a weekly wash is required. “Towels are frequently used to dry our bodies, and they can quickly accumulate body oils, dead skin cells, and other soils. These should be washed after two to three uses.”
There’s another potential ew when it comes to towels—especially if they’re left in a pile on the floor, rather than hung to dry. “Towels stay damp and can harbor bacteria and mildew,” Rapinchuk says.
Pet Beds
Your pets shed hair and dead skin cells all over their bedding—and letting it go until you smell that doggy (or kitty) funk may leave them (or any sensitive folks in your home!) prone to allergic reactions—or even skin infections for your poor little pooch.
Sheets and Pillowcases
You may try to extend this chore to a biweekly schedule, but laundry experts agree—you need to be changing your sheets at least weekly in the summer or if you sweat at night. “These items should be washed weekly because they come into direct contact with our bodies and accumulate oils, dead skin cells, bacteria, and moisture,” Rapinchuk says. “Sheets and pillowcases collect sweat and oils from our skin and hair overnight.”
Of course, if you have a particularly sweaty night during the hot summer months, you shouldn’t wait. “If you notice sweat, soil buildup, or odors on the sheets, it’s best to wash them right away,” Romine says.
Blankets
Whether it’s that living room throw that you’re always cozied up under, or the blanket you’re using in lieu of a top sheet on your bed, it’s worth giving it a weekly wash—as food crumbs, body oils, pet hair, and other ick can build up. You can extend this timeline if the sofa throw is usually just folded on an arm, but otherwise, give it a wash weekly.
Bath Mats
This feels like something that rarely gets used, but a bath mat does tend to get damp. And that makes it a fertile breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria. A weekly laundering helps keep any microbe growth at bay.
Casual Clothing
While things like underwear and activewear require washing after each wear, some clothes can be worn a few times before they need to be washed. You should wash dress shirts and blouses after one to two wears and casual shirts after two to three wears—unless they’re visibly dirty, Rapinchuk says.
Bras
Bras require a good wash after two to three wears—which means they may need to be washed on a weekly basis, depending on how often you wear them.
