How Gross is Your Laundry?
The first step to getting clean is admitting you have a problem.
If you’re like most people, laundry doesn’t top the list of your favorite things to do. Whether laundry is your greatest nemesis or more of a mild inconvenience, there’s no avoiding it. Well, unless you avoid it, let it stack up and find yourself stuck with a big — dare we say, gross? — pile of dirty laundry that’s worse than you ever imagined.
Before you reach the lowest of lows, there are probably a few small mistakes that snowballed the process along. Yes, doing laundry sucks, but putting it off to a breaking point is even worse. The truth? You’re probably not doing it enough.
> Do you wash your sheets enough?
Studies show that how frequently people wash their sheets varies widely. While some people wash their sheets every few evenings, others leave them on the bed for months. Most people fall somewhere in between, washing their sheets less frequently than every week but more frequently than every month. In order to keep things clean and avoid the grossness though, experts recommend that you wash your sheets every week.
> How about your pillows?
Have you been washing your pillows at all? For most people, the answer is no. While it might seem out of the ordinary to wash pillows, you use them as frequently as you use your bed and even though they’re covered by a pillowcase, that doesn’t stop them from getting dirty. Experts recommend that you wash pillows every six months to keep them in tip-top shape.
> And your mattress pad?
While lots of people sleep with their sheets directly on top of their mattress, lots of others sleep with a mattress pad. If you have a mattress pad, you should be washing it every month or two to keep it nice and clean. Be sure to check your mattress pad for care instructions as there is a range of types of mattress toppers with a range of care instructions.
> Do you wash your bathmats enough?
Most people wash their bathmat every couple of times they clean their bathroom. In order to keep it clean and avoid any potential grossness, experts recommend that you wash it on a similar schedule to your sheets, every week or so. While it’s easy to forget an item that needs to be cleaned, when you think about the day-to-day work of your bathmat (and its location in your home), it’s clear that this is an item that needs to be cleaned frequently.
> How about your dish towels?
Dish towels have a range of uses, they mop up spills, dry hands, and keep your kitchen looking fresh and clean. Because of their utilitarian value in the kitchen, they also accumulate all sorts of dirt and grime. Whether you think about it or not, most dish towels should be washed and dried after each daily use. By swapping out your dish towels daily you’ll keep your kitchen (and your hands) feeling fresh and clean.
> And your throw blankets?
Most people love cuddling up on the couch with a cozy throw blanket. Further, most people don’t think about how often they should be washing that throw blanket though. Throw blankets can come in a range of materials so be sure to check the tag for care instructions before you toss yours in the machine every other week.
Whether you hate it or just don’t love it, laundry is a part of life. Keep your life and your home clean by making sure that your non-clothing items are as clean and cozy as your clothes!
