How Often Should You Wash These 15 Everyday Items?

Let's face it—most of us don't think much about how often we should wash everyday items until they start to smell, stain, or look dirty. But waiting too long can lead to bacteria, allergens, odors, and fabrics wearing out faster.

To help you keep your clothes, bedding, and home fresh, we've put together a simple guide for how often you should wash some of the most commonly used items around your home.

1. Bed Sheets

Wash Every: 1–2 weeks

Your sheets collect sweat, body oils, dead skin cells, and dust mites while you sleep. If you have allergies, pets, or tend to sweat at night, washing them weekly is your best bet.

2. Pillowcases

Wash Every: Once a week

Pillowcases absorb facial oils, skincare products, sweat, and hair products. Washing them weekly can also help reduce acne breakouts and keep your skin healthier.

3. Comforters & Duvets

Wash Every: Every 2–3 months

Most comforters don't need frequent washing, but they do collect dust, allergens, and body oils over time.

Pro Tip: King-size comforters are often too large for home washing machines. Our oversized commercial washers make cleaning bulky bedding easy and help protect your comforter from damage.

4. Bath Towels

Wash Every: After 3–4 uses

Even if your towel looks clean, moisture creates the perfect environment for bacteria and mildew to grow.

Always hang towels so they can dry completely between uses.

5. Hand Towels

Wash Every: Every 2–3 days

Because multiple people use hand towels throughout the day, they collect germs much faster than bath towels.

6. Kitchen Towels & Dish Cloths

Wash Every: Daily or every 1–2 days

Kitchen towels are among the dirtiest fabrics in your home because they come into contact with food, grease, and bacteria.

Keeping fresh towels in the kitchen is one of the easiest ways to maintain a cleaner home.

7. Gym Clothes

Wash Every: After every workout

Sweat-soaked clothing can quickly develop odors and bacteria if left sitting.

Avoid tossing damp workout clothes into a laundry basket for days—wash them as soon as possible.

8. Jeans

Wash Every: After 5–10 wears

Unlike most clothing, jeans don't need to be washed after every use.

Washing less frequently helps preserve their color, fit, and fabric quality.

9. Hoodies & Sweatshirts

Wash Every: After 5–7 wears

Unless you've been sweating heavily or spilled something, hoodies can usually go several wears between washes.

10. Bras

Wash Every: After 2–3 wears

Frequent washing helps remove sweat and oils while preserving elasticity. Using a mesh laundry bag can also extend the life of your bras.

11. Winter Jackets

Wash Every: Once or twice per season

Outerwear generally doesn't require frequent washing unless it becomes visibly dirty or develops odors.

Always check the care label before washing.

12. Throw Blankets

Wash Every: Every 2–4 weeks

Whether they're on your couch or favorite recliner, throw blankets collect dust, pet hair, food crumbs, and everyday dirt.

13. Pet Beds & Blankets

Wash Every: Every 1–2 weeks

Pet bedding traps fur, dander, dirt, and odors surprisingly quickly.

Large commercial washers make it much easier to clean bulky pet beds thoroughly.

14. Reusable Grocery Bags

Wash Every: Every few uses

These bags often carry raw meat, produce, and other groceries that can leave behind bacteria.

Many reusable bags are machine washable—just check the tag first.

15. Shower Curtains & Liners

Wash Every: Once a month

Soap scum, mildew, and moisture build up over time.

Many fabric shower liners can be washed in a washing machine to keep your bathroom looking fresh.

Quick Reference Guide

Item	Recommended Washing Frequency
Bed Sheets	Every 1–2 weeks
Pillowcases	Weekly
Comforters	Every 2–3 months
Bath Towels	Every 3–4 uses
Hand Towels	Every 2–3 days
Kitchen Towels	Daily
Gym Clothes	After every workout
Jeans	Every 5–10 wears
Hoodies	Every 5–7 wears
Bras	Every 2–3 wears
Winter Jackets	Once or twice per season
Throw Blankets	Every 2–4 weeks
Pet Beds	Every 1–2 weeks
Grocery Bags	Every few uses
Shower Curtains	Monthly

Make Laundry Day Easier

Keeping up with laundry doesn't have to take all day.

At Loads of Fun Laundry, our modern, high-capacity washers and dryers help you finish laundry in under an hour, even when you're washing oversized comforters, blankets, pet beds, or multiple family loads at once.

Need even more convenience? Ask about our Wash & Fold service and let us do the work for you. Whether you're washing a week's worth of clothes or tackling bulky bedding, we're here to help make laundry faster, easier, and—yes—a little more fun.

Visit Loads of Fun Laundry in Asheville and experience a cleaner, quicker way to do laundry.