Learn how frequently you should really launder your sheets, bath towels, curtains, pillows and more.
SHEETS – ONCE A WEEK
Asthma, Hay Fever and Eczema can all be triggered by dust mites, which thrive in dirty sheets. Wash at a high temperature (130 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit) to ensure you remove all of these unwanted pests, followed by a hot dryer cycle.
PILLOWS – EVERY THREE TO SIX MONTHS
Studies have shown that the weight of a pillow will increase over time due to accumulation of dust mites. Using the gentle cycle on your washing machine, wash two pillows followed by two rinse cycles and a drying cycle.
JEANS – EVERY FOUR TO FIVE WEARS
Every time you wash your jeans, they will shrink ever so slightly. It is therefore best to wear your denim jeans several time before you wash them but when that time does come, be sure to turn your jeans inside out and wash in cold water. Then, simple let them drip dry.
BRAS – EVERY THREE TO FOUR WEARS
You should never wear the same bra two days in a row, due to the fact that the elastic needs to reshape. With a proper rotation of a few bras, allowing each one 24 hours to reshape, you should only have to wash them every three to four wears, using a regular machine cycle.
HAIR – EVERY OTHER DAY
Washing your hair every day will strip it of natural oils, so it’s best to wash every other day instead. If you do suffer from oily roots, you can use dry shampoo to soak up any unwanted grease.
WINDOWS TWICE A YEAR
Cleansing your windows both inside and out with a squeegee always produces the best results. After initial cleaning with a sponge, use a lint-free cloth to clean a 1-inch strip at the top of the window and then pull down with the moistened squeegee blade.
MATTRESS – EVERY 6 MONTHS
Despite its size, the mattress is one of the easiest thing to clean in your home. Firstly vacuum the top of the mattress using an upholstery attachment. Then, remove any stains by wiping down the surface with a damp cloth and a small amount of shampoo.
OVEN – EVERY 6 MONTHS
Some ovens will clean themselves but if yours doesn’t, you can always clean it overnight when you’re not using it. To start, remove the racks and leave them to soak in warm water. Next, spray the interior and door with oven cleaner and leave for a few hours. Then, simply wipe clean.
CARPET – ONCE A YEAR
When regularly cleaned, carpets can Improve the alr quality of a room by trapping allergens and dust. A quick vacuum should be followed by a full steam clean to suck up all the dirt.
PURSE/WALLET – EVERY WEEK
Test have shown that purses and wallets sometimes carry E.coli and other unwanted germs. Alcohol free baby wipes should be used on leather materials and traditional machine or hand washes for cotton.
WASHER/DRYER – EVERY MONTH
Washers and dryers are known to harbor bacteria such as Ecoli and Salmonella. Set the machine to its highest level and hottest temperature. Then, add two cups of white vinegar and run through its cycle. Repeat this with half a cup of baking soda and then wipe clean.
SINK & DRAIN – EVERY DAY
The kitchen sink has the second highest concentration of microorganisms in your home, so daily cleaning is highly recommended. To do this, spray with disinfectant and wipe down with a damp cloth.
TOILET – ONCE A WEEK
Even though we use our toilets daily, they can often be overlooked when cleaning time arrives. Use disinfectant spray and a cloth to clean the exterior and a cleanser on the interior. Let the cleanser sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing with the toilet brush, to ensure that all the germs are eradicated.
BATH TOWELS – ONCE A WEEK
As long as you are correctly drying out your bath towels during the day you can wait a week before you wash them. Take care to use half the amount of detergent when washing, as too much soap will make them less fluffy. Also, wash in warm water and skip the fabric softener.
REFRIGERATOR – ONCE A WEEK
If you want to ensure that all of your food is stored in a germ free environment, care should be taken to keep your refrigerator clean. Use a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar to wipe the inside, as well as the outside and leave the door open for a short time afterwards to let it dry out.
CAR – ONCE EVERY ONE TO THREE WEEKS
If you live somewhere that experiences bad weather, or even if you just drive a lot of miles every week or park your car on the street, it is a good idea to wash your car every week. Otherwise, you can wait for two three weeks to pass before getting out the hot water and sponge.