Are you making your spring cleaning list or starting out and wondering what you should be doing around your home? This guide to fabric items you should be cleaning and how often you need to clean them can help make it easier to plan your cleaning routine.
Bed Sheets
Bed sheets are one of the most important items in your house to keep clean. After all, you spend a lot of time in your bed and if you watch TV or read in bed you spend even more time in bed than average, so you want to make sure your sheets are fresh and clean. As a general rule of thumb, you should wash your sheets once a week. However, if you sweat a lot at night or have allergies, you may need to wash your sheets more frequently. That pesky top sheet is designed to allow you to wash your comforter or duvet less often because it traps dirt and sweat before it reaches your harder-to-wash comforter.
Pillows
Pillows tend to collect a lot of dirt, oil, and bacteria, which can lead to skin problems and allergies. You should change and wash your pillowcases every time you do your sheets to help keep your pillows in good shape longer and prevent issues like acne from dirty pillowcases.
To keep your pillows themselves fresh, you should wash them every three months. If you have down or feather pillows, be sure to follow the care instructions on the label, as they may need to be cleaned differently.
Mattress Protector
A mattress protector can help keep your mattress clean and free of allergens. You should wash your mattress protector every two to three months, or more often if you have spills or accidents. These are great tools to help keep your mattress clean and in great shape so you don’t have to worry about cleaning the mattress which is a lot more work and can shorten the life of this expensive piece of furniture.
Mattress
If you are not using a waterproof zippered mattress protector on your mattress to keep it in the best shape possible you should clean it at least once every six months and consider vacuuming it monthly to help reduce the number of allergens trapped in your mattress. This dust and dirt build-up, even though it has not been exposed to much moisture from things like spills can affect your overall health.
When cleaning your mattress use an enzyme cleaner to break down sweat that has worked its way into your mattress to eliminate unwanted odors.
Blankets
Blankets are great for keeping you warm and cozy, but they can also collect dirt, dust, and oils. As a general rule, you should wash your blankets every three to six months. If you have a heavy blanket, such as a down comforter, you may need to take it to a professional cleaner.
For throw blankets hanging out on a sofa or chair that tend to get a lot of daily use including while you are eating and snacking, wishing more often can help keep germs at bay.
Curtains
Curtains can collect a lot of dust and allergens, so it’s important to wash them regularly. As a general rule, you should wash your curtains every three to six months. This is a great task to add to your spring cleaning to-do list because you have had your house closed up trapping dust and odors all winter long. If you live near a busy road or in a dusty area, you may need to wash your curtains more frequently.
Clothes
Clothes are perhaps the most frequently washed items in your house, and how often you need to wash them depends on a number of factors. For example, underwear and socks should be washed after every wear, while jeans and sweatshirts can be worn several times before washing. When in doubt, check the care label on the clothing for washing instructions.
Towels
Towels are another item that can collect a lot of dirt and bacteria, so it’s important to wash them regularly. You should wash bath towels every three to four uses, and hand towels every two to three uses. To help make it easier to keep your towels fresh by storing clean towels outside of your bathroom where germs are so prevalent. Washcloths should be washed after every single use.
Tablecloths and Napkins
Tablecloths and napkins can quickly become stained and dirty, so it’s important to wash them after every use. If you only use them for special occasions, you can wash them once a month or as needed. To reduce washing your table cloth you can use a vinyl tablecloth cover that can easily be wiped down with disinfectant between uses.
Rugs and Carpets
Rugs and carpets can collect a lot of dirt and allergens, so it’s important to clean them regularly. You should vacuum your carpets once a week, If you have a larger family or pets you will need to vacuum more often. Limit deep cleaning and shampooing to once every six months or so to prevent mold growth. If you have a spill or accident, clean it up as soon as possible to prevent staining.
Sofa and chairs
We often do not think about cleaning our fabric sofas and chairs unless there is a spill on them. The truth is these upholstered items can take on unpleasant odors in between cleanings. Instead of letting this build up and your upholstered furniture get dingy, use an upholstery cleaner or steamer to clean your sofa and chairs at least once a year, like carpets. You can do this every six months or so without worrying about mold and mildew growth. In between cleanings consider using a fabric refresher.
How often you should wash common fabric items around your house depends on a number of factors, including how often you use them, your personal hygiene habits, and the type of fabric. By following these guidelines, you can keep your house fresh and clean, and help extend the lifespan of your fabric items.
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