When laundry day rolls around, most of us focus on the obvious things: clothes, towels, and bed sheets. But there are plenty of household fabrics that quietly collect dust, body oils, pet hair, allergens, and everyday odors without ever making it into the washing machine.
Keeping these often-overlooked items clean does more than make your home feel fresher. Regular washing can help reduce common indoor allergens like dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold while helping fabrics last longer. And despite what many people think, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that in most everyday situations, cleaning with soap and water is enough to remove most germs. Disinfecting is generally only necessary when someone in the home is sick.
If it’s been a while since you thought beyond pillowcases and bath towels, here’s a simple guide to the household items that deserve a regular spot in your laundry routine.
And for more ways to keep your home smelling fresh, check out our guide to How to Make Your Home Smell Good All Day.
Quick Reference: How Often to Wash Common Household Items
| Household Item | Recommended Washing Frequency |
|---|---|
| Bed pillows | Every 3–6 months |
| Mattress protectors | Every 1–2 months |
| Decorative pillow covers | Every 1–3 months |
| Throw blankets | Every 2–4 weeks |
| Bath mats | Every 1–2 weeks |
| Shower curtains and liners | About once a month |
| Couch covers or slipcovers | Every 1–3 months |
| Pet beds | Every 1–2 weeks |
| Curtains | Every 3–6 months |
| Entry rugs and washable runners | Every 2–4 weeks |
1. Bed Pillows
Even if you wash your pillowcases every week, your pillows themselves continue collecting sweat, body oils, dead skin cells, dust, and moisture night after night. Over time, they can also accumulate dust mites and other common household allergens that aren’t always visible.
Because pillows spend most of their lives tucked inside clean pillowcases, they’re one of the easiest items to forget.
How Often to Wash
Wash bed pillows every three to six months. If you have allergies, sleep with pets, or tend to sweat heavily while sleeping, washing them closer to every three months can help keep them feeling fresh.
Washing Tips
Many down and synthetic-filled pillows can be machine washed on a gentle cycle using a mild detergent. Washing two pillows together helps balance the load and allows them to clean more evenly. Dry them thoroughly on low heat with dryer balls or clean tennis balls to help restore their shape. Memory foam and latex pillows usually shouldn’t be machine washed, so always check the care label first.
2. Mattress Protectors
A mattress protector quietly absorbs much of what your sheets don’t. Perspiration, body oils, skin cells, and dust gradually work their way through bedding, making the protector one of the hardest-working fabrics in your bedroom.
Since it’s hidden beneath fitted sheets, it’s easy to forget it needs regular washing too.
How Often to Wash
Wash mattress protectors every one to two months during normal use. If someone in your household experiences allergies, night sweats, or frequent illness, washing them more often is a good idea.
Washing Tips
Most mattress protectors can be machine washed with cool or warm water using a gentle detergent. Waterproof protectors should typically be dried on low heat to help preserve the waterproof backing. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for the best results.
3. Decorative Pillow Covers
Decorative throw pillows add warmth and texture to a room, but they’re also handled far more often than many people realize. Whether you’re leaning against them while watching television or your pets have claimed them as their favorite nap spot, they gradually collect dust, oils, pet hair, and everyday dirt.
Unlike bedding, decorative pillows often stay in place for months without being washed.
How Often to Wash
Wash removable pillow covers every one to three months, depending on how often they’re used. If they’re in a busy family room or shared with pets, monthly washing helps keep them looking and smelling their best.
Washing Tips
Remove the cover before washing whenever possible. Cotton and polyester covers are often machine washable on a gentle cycle with cold water, while linen, velvet, wool, and other specialty fabrics may require more delicate care. Always follow the care label before laundering.
4. Throw Blankets
Throw blankets are some of the coziest items in the house, but they’re also among the most overlooked. They’re used during movie nights, afternoon naps, chilly mornings, and cozy evenings on the couch, quietly collecting body oils, dust, pet fur, crumbs, and everyday odors along the way.
Because they don’t always look dirty, they often stay in rotation much longer than they should.
How Often to Wash
Wash throw blankets every two to four weeks if they’re used regularly. Blankets shared with pets or used daily may need more frequent washing.
Washing Tips
Most fleece, cotton, microfiber, and polyester throws can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cool or warm water. Avoid high heat when drying, which can reduce softness over time. Delicate fabrics like wool or cashmere often require hand washing or dry cleaning.
Looking for a natural way to freshen bedding between washes? Try our easy DIY Linen Spray recipe.
5. Bath Mats
Bath mats absorb moisture every time someone steps out of the shower or bathtub. Even when they appear clean, they gradually collect water, soap residue, body oils, and dirt that can contribute to musty odors if left too long between washes.
Keeping bath mats clean also helps reduce lingering moisture in the bathroom, making them an important part of an overall cleaning routine.
How Often to Wash
Wash bath mats every one to two weeks. Larger households or bathrooms that stay humid may benefit from weekly washing.
Washing Tips
Shake out loose debris before placing bath mats in the washing machine. Wash with warm water and a mild detergent, then dry them completely before putting them back on the floor. Allowing bath mats to dry fully between uses also helps reduce excess moisture.
6. Shower Curtains and Liners
Shower curtains and liners are exposed to moisture every day, making them a natural place for soap scum, hard water deposits, and mildew to develop over time. Even if they don’t look dirty, they can gradually trap moisture and begin holding onto musty odors.
Giving them a regular wash is one of the easiest ways to keep your bathroom feeling cleaner and smelling fresher.
How Often to Wash
Wash both fabric shower curtains and washable plastic or vinyl liners about once a month. If your bathroom stays humid or you notice mildew forming, consider washing them more often.
Washing Tips
Many fabric shower curtains and plastic liners can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Adding a couple of towels to the load helps provide gentle scrubbing action. Hang curtains and liners back up immediately after washing so they can air dry completely.
7. Couch Covers or Slipcovers
Your couch is one of the most-used pieces of furniture in your home. Whether you’re watching movies, reading a book, entertaining guests, or sharing the sofa with pets, fabric covers gradually collect dust, body oils, pet hair, crumbs, and everyday dirt.
Because they’re large and sometimes difficult to remove, couch covers often go much longer between washes than they should.
How Often to Wash
Wash removable couch covers or slipcovers every one to three months, depending on how often they’re used. Homes with pets, children, or allergy sufferers may benefit from washing them more frequently.
Washing Tips
Always check the manufacturer’s care label before laundering. Most cotton and polyester slipcovers can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cool or warm water. Air drying or tumble drying on low heat helps reduce shrinking and keeps the fabric looking its best.
8. Pet Beds
Pet beds work hard every day. They collect fur, dander, dirt, body oils, and moisture from your pet while also trapping dust and other debris from around your home. Over time, they can become one of the biggest hidden sources of household odors.
Regular cleaning also helps reduce the buildup of pet dander and other common indoor allergens, making your home feel cleaner and fresher.
How Often to Wash
Wash removable pet bed covers every one to two weeks. If the bed doesn’t have a removable cover, follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and wash the entire bed as recommended.
Washing Tips
Vacuum the bed first to remove loose hair before washing. Use a pet-safe detergent and allow the bed or cover to dry completely before your pet uses it again. Rotating between two removable covers can make regular washing even easier.
9. Curtains
Curtains do more than soften a room and provide privacy. They also act like large fabric filters, collecting dust, pollen, cooking odors, pet dander, and other airborne particles throughout the year.
Because the buildup happens gradually, curtains often go months—or even years—without being cleaned.
How Often to Wash
Wash or professionally clean curtains every three to six months. If you have pets, seasonal allergies, or frequently keep your windows open, more frequent cleaning may help reduce dust and allergens in your home.
Washing Tips
Many cotton and polyester curtains can be machine washed on a gentle cycle, but delicate fabrics such as silk, velvet, or lined drapes may require dry cleaning. Vacuuming curtains with a soft brush attachment between washings also helps remove surface dust.
10. Entry Rugs and Washable Runners
Entry rugs and runners catch dirt, pollen, grass, moisture, and other debris before it spreads throughout your home. While they help protect your floors, they also trap everything that’s tracked in from outside.
Without regular washing, dirt and moisture can build up over time, contributing to stale odors and making rugs look worn more quickly.
How Often to Wash
Wash washable entry rugs and runners every two to four weeks, depending on foot traffic. Homes with children, pets, or rainy weather may benefit from more frequent washing.
Washing Tips
Shake rugs outdoors or vacuum them thoroughly before washing to remove loose dirt. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions, as some rugs are machine washable while others require spot cleaning or professional care. Always allow rugs to dry completely before placing them back on the floor.
This article was researched using guidance from the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).