ArcaMax

We all know the laundry pile never goes away. But instead of guessing your way through life, here's a no-nonsense guide to how often you should launder key household fabrics -- and yes, that includes your sheets, towels and all those overlooked blanks and throws.

BEDDING

Your nightly contact zone deserves weekly attention. You spend roughly 50 hours per week in bed. During that time your sheets are quietly collecting sweat, dead skin, body oils and maybe the dog if you're letting Fido sleep up there. Dermatologists and sleep experts say that means it's time for a weekly strip-off of your sheets and pillowcases. Stretching to once every two weeks is OK only if you're truly low-traffic (no pets, no sweats, no night snacks).

Duvet covers, blankets and comforters -- things that touch you less directly -- can wait longer: duvet covers every two to four weeks, throw blankets every few months.

TOWELS AND BATHROOM LINENS

Don't wait until they smell. Your bath towel is doing more than drying you -- it's collecting moisture and sitting in a humid environment. Experts say wash after three to five uses (so about once a week is safe). Hand towels? Every two to three days if you want to stay ahead of bacteria.

And what about bathmats and bathrobes? Both live in damp zones, and as such, cleaning bathmats weekly and bathrobes monthly keeps your bathroom fresh and hygienic.

KITCHEN LINENS, MATS AND SPONGES

Cloths in the kitchen get greasy, germy and used daily, so treat them accordingly. Dishcloths should really go in the wash daily or after heavy use. Tote bags, aprons, decorative items? Evaluate based on usage. Sponges? Rotate three or four by throwing one into the dishwasher on every run, along with dishes.

OTHER ITEMS

Your worst-worn wardrobe items: Everyday logic applies.

Underwear and socks: every wear. Workout clothes: after every use.

Casual outerwear? If it's not visibly dirty or sweaty, three to five uses is fine by most laundry pros.

The rule of thumb: If it touches bare skin intimately or you sweat in it, wash it soon. If it's outer layer, visible soil is your cue.

Generally, if you want to stretch the time between laundry loads, focus on airflow and storage. Hang towels flat so they dry fast. Pull your bedcovers back in the morning to let sheets breathe. And don't cram damp clothes into a hamper. Give them space so you're not laundering musty fabric later. A little prevention goes a long way toward fewer wash days.

And while you're at it, don't overlook your laundry helpers. Washing machines and dryers need cleaning too. Run an empty hot cycle with a cup of white vinegar once a month, and clear lint traps faithfully. Clean machines do a better job on everything else, and they'll last longer too.

FINAL THOUGHTS

You don't have to create a rigid laundry calendar and drive yourself nuts checking off "change sheets" every Saturday. But having a realistic rhythm -- weekly for sheets, weekly for bath towels, monthly for throws -- makes laundry less reactive and more manageable.

The real test isn't just whether it looks clean. It's whether it feels clean and you're sleeping better, drying off in fresh towels, and not avoiding the couch throw because it smells a little "meh."

========

Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, "Ask Mary." This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book "Debt-Proof Living."

Copyright 2026 Creators Syndicate Inc.