How Often Should You Wash EVERYTHING?

We may be in the midst of summer, but it’s never too late to begin your spring cleaning. In fact, a clean, organized home has been found to reduce stress and promote peace, happiness, and tranquility in the home. Here is a comprehensive guide to cleaning some of the most used items in your home!

Sheets

Wash Time: Once per Week

There’s nothing like capping off a long day by hopping into a bed outfitted with fresh sheets. But washing your sheets is not just about the feel. Sheets are a goldmine for dust mites, dead skin, bacteria, and allergens. In fact, dirty sheets can be the main cause of acne and allergies. 

Cleaning Guide

1. Remove your sheets from the bed and place in the washing machine separately from your other laundry. 
2. Wash your bedding with warm water and a cold water rinse.
3. Dry on low heat or allow your sheets to air dry. By opting for little to no heat, you maintain the integrity of the fibers, keeping your bedding from piling or breaking down.

Tip: Looking to do laundry a little less often? Switch to bamboo bed sheets! They’re naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic, warding off dust mites, allergens, and bacteria. Sleep soundly knowing your sheets look and feel clean. Check out our Luxury Bamboo here!

Jeans

Wash Time: Every 4-5 Wears

It might surprise you, but jeans do need a wash every once in a while. However, unlike shirts or underwear, they can be worn multiple times before a wash is needed, provided they are not stained or produce a strong smell.  

Cleaning Guide

1. Turn your jeans inside out and zip them up. This will protect dye while rinsing the part that touched your skin. It will also stop the zipper from snagging on other clothing. 
2. Wash your jeans with like colors, i.e. dark jeans with dark colors and light jeans with light colors.
3. Wash on a gentle cycle with cold water to avoid the dye bleeding.
4. Air-dry your jeans, as drying in the dryer can shrink the fabric.

Carpet

Wash Time: Once per Year

Your carpet is most likely the last thing on your mind to watch. After all, unless you look down when you walk, you probably haven’t given much thought to what’s going on down there. That being said, cleaning your carpet can actually improve the air quality in your home. Similar to sheets, your carpet can harbor dust and dirt that can irritate the sinuses. 

Cleaning Guide

1. Before you get started, do a quick once over with a vacuum to remove any loose dirt, dust, and pet hair.
2. For a quick clean, blot spots with a carpet cleaning solution. 
3. For a deep clean, use a carpet cleaning machine to steam out the tougher stains. 

Oven

Wash Time: Every 6 months

Like your carpet, you may not notice how dirty your oven has become. However, unlike your carpet, a dirty oven can actually be dangerous. Burned food at the bottom of your oven can not only create a strong smell, but also smoke, tainting the air and causing respiratory issues. Not only that, but a dirty oven can ruin the quality of your food. Many modern ovens have a handy self-cleaning feature that you can use. If your oven does not have a self-cleaning mode, follow these steps.

Cleaning Guide

1. Remove the racks from the over and soak in warm water.
2. Spray the inside of the oven with an oven cleaner and leave for several hours.
3. Wipe down the inside of the oven and the racks with paper towels.
4. Once clean, replace the racks and use the oven as normal.  

Towels

Wash Time: Once per week

Sheets and towels are very similar, in that they have contact with your bare skin when used. While they have a great use, this does make them one of the household items that must be washed more often. 

Cleaning Guide

1. Wash your towels with warm water and a cold water rinse. Use half the amount of detergent you would normally use, as excess detergent can lessen the softness of the towels. 
2. Dry on low heat to protect the fibers. 

Windows

Wash Time: Twice per year

Unless excessively dirty, windows tend to go unnoticed when it comes to a regular cleaning routine. Though you don’t need to do it often, a simple clean twice a year can keep windows in tip top shape. 

Cleaning Guide

1. Using a dust rag, wipe down the inside and outside of your windows to remove the initial layer of dust and dirt. 
2. Spray a window cleaner and immediately wipe with a paper towel or newspaper. 
3. Wipe down with a clean microfiber cloth to remove any excess wetness. 

Mattress

Wash Time: Every 6 Months

By far the most used item on this list, your mattress could be one of the dirtiest. All the dirt and bacteria we discussed wrapped up in your sheets is easily transferred to your mattress. 

Cleaning Guide

1. Strip your bed of all its bedding.
2. Vacuum the mattress to remove any loose dust and dirt.
3. Spot clean small stains by lightly spraying a cleaner and blotting with a clean cloth. 
4. Sprinkle baking soda over the entire mattress to eliminate any odor and draw away any excess moisture.
5. Vacuum the mattress again to remove the baking soda. 
6. Flip the mattress over and repeat steps 2-5. 

Tip: To prolong the life of your mattress, invest in a mattress protector. This will prevent stains, moisture, dirt, bacteria, and even bed bugs from making a home in your bed. Check out our Bamboo Mattress Protector here!

What is your favorite cleaning tip? Let us know in the comments!

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