15 Things You May Be Guilty Of Forgetting To Wash, Or Not Washing Enough

Though you are making sure to wash your clothes, sheets, and towels frequently, there are likely various items in your home that should be washed more often. From your bedroom and living room to bathroom and kitchen, many household objects get a lot of use but aren't laundered as often as they should be. Whether they're items that are easy to forget about because they're out of the way or they don't seem like they'd get filthy, it's important to clean the fabric materials in your home regularly.

From throw pillows to curtains, most homes have a lot of fabric materials, whether decorative or functional, that are forgotten when it's time to run the washing machine. Over time, consistently not washing your textile belongings could potentially lead to odors, allergens, and bacteria in your space. Some items will only need to be washed a few times a year, making them super easy to forget. Creating a schedule for infrequently washed items can help you remember to launder them and keep your home clean.

Since a mattress cover is designed to protect your bed, it's easy to leave it on and forget to wash it. Plus, with the sheets always over the protector, it might not seem like the cover is getting dirty. Unfortunately, this isn't the case; body oils and sweat can actually seep through your linens, dirtying the mattress protector. Though your mattress cover won't need to be laundered as often as your sheets, it's still important to wash it on a regular basis to ensure your bed is clean. Generally, your cover should be washed once a month.

If pets sleep in your bed or you have bad allergies, the protector may need to be laundered more frequently. Washing your mattress protector regularly is also crucial to ensuring it lasts longer and continues keeping sweat off the mattress. When spills occur, the mattress protector should be cleaned right away to prevent lingering odors and stains. Many of these protectors can be cleaned in your washing machine on a gentle cycle with mild detergent and cold water, but it's crucial to check the instructions on the tag. Waterproof mattress protectors have a plastic backing that can be damaged in the washer, so hand-washing may be necessary. Hot water and hotter dryer cycles should be avoided, as heat could damage or shrink your mattress cover.

While they're not normally used for sleeping and act mainly as decoration, throw pillows still need to be washed somewhat frequently. Couches often become covered in crumbs, pet hair, and dirt, which can get on your throw pillows as well. Additionally, these decorative pillows are handled often, so whatever oils are on your hands could dirty them as well. As they sit on your couch, dust will also start to gather on your throws. Your decorative pillows shouldn't need to be laundered as often as the pillowcases on your bed, but you should still wash the cover and the pillow insert every so often.

It's a good idea to wash your throw pillow covers approximately every three months. Sometimes, your throw covers could wait about six months between cleanings. How often you should clean your throw pillows depends on how much use they get or if kids or pets are getting them extra dirty. In some cases, you may want to wash them before the three-month mark. Though some pillow covers have delicate fabrics that'll need to be dry cleaned or hand-washed, many can go in your machine on a gentle cycle. The inserts in your throw pillows may also need to be washed occasionally, and while some can be cleaned in your washer, others might need different care. Check the label on your pillows before washing the covers or inserts.

When laundering sheets and pillowcases, most people leave their comforters and duvet covers out of the wash. This could be partly because they're large and can be difficult to wash compared to other bedding. Other times, you might think your covered comforter isn't getting dirty since there are sheets between you and the blanket. As it turns out, your sweat and body oils can make their way through the sheets and duvet cover and onto your comforter. Though it may always be covered, it's still a good idea to wash your comforter to ensure it's odor- and stain-free and cut down on allergens like dust mites.

For those who have a duvet cover, your comforter may only need to be washed about every three months. Without a cover, you'll need to wash your comforter more frequently, as often as every other week. Many times, comforters are too large for domestic washing machines and need to be taken to the laundromat. The cover over your comforter may need to be laundered every one or two weeks if you're using a top sheet and more often if you're not.

Drapes and curtains are always hanging out of the way, and though you might open and close them every day, it can be incredibly easy to forget about them. Your curtains may not look dirty, but dust, hair, dirt, pet fur, pollen, and other indoor allergens will stick to the fabric hanging by your windows. Over time, the debris will build up on your drapes. While vacuuming your curtains regularly will get rid of some of the dust, washing them periodically provides a deeper clean and helps to eliminate allergens and odors in your home.

Typically, washing your curtains every few months is enough to keep them clean. Large curtains or drapes with heavier fabrics might need to be washed less often, such as every six months, but window coverings with lighter materials need to be cleaned within three to four months. Surprisingly, many drapes and curtains can be thrown into your washing machine for easy cleaning. However, those with more delicate fabrics are the type of curtains you should hand wash and can be soaked in your bathtub with detergent and cold water for about 15 minutes.

It's no secret that the kitchen can be home to some of the germiest items in the house, and oven mitts are no exception. Since they're not usually coming into direct contact with food, pot holders, oven mitts, and hot pads are not thought of as dirty, but they're most likely the kitchen linens you probably aren't cleaning often enough. Without being washed, your pot holders or mitts could become breeding grounds for bacteria and germs.

Wash hot pads, pot holders, and oven mitts weekly or set them aside for cleaning as they get dirty. As the fabric gets gunked up from spills, your oven mitts won't insulate as well and might feel hot as you handle cookware. Not only will more frequent washing help keep your hot pads clean, but it'll also ensure they're as efficient as possible. You'll likely be able to launder your oven mitts in your washer, but they should be air-dried. Check the instructions on the tag if you're unsure.

If you have a skirt on your bed, you might sometimes forget it's there. Similar to curtains, bed skirts will accumulate debris like lint, dirt, and dust. Bed skirts prevent dust buildup under your bed, which is why they're also referred to as dust ruffles, but they could end up getting pretty dirty over time.

Though they don't need to be washed super often, laundering your bed skirt a few times a year will help to remove dust and allergens from your bedroom. Washing your bed skirt can be done as frequently as every three months or as little as twice a year, though people with allergies may wish to clean it more often. Before laundering, check the care label on your bed skirt to see if it requires hand or machine washing.

Because showers get wet constantly, it's common for the curtains and liners to develop mold and mildew. While some believe the plastic liner inside the shower gets cleaned as they bathe, the opposite is true. Not washing your shower curtain or liner often enough can lead to mold, which can be troublesome for those with asthma and allergies.

It's best to launder your shower curtain every one to three months, though the liner will need to be cleaned every month since it gets wet with every shower. If you notice that the liner in your shower is yellowing or developing a musty smell, it's time for a wash. Most liners and curtains can go right into the washer on a delicate cycle with hot or warm water, respectively, though it's a good idea to double-check the instructions. Once done, hang your liner and curtain back up in your shower to dry.

Even when using pillowcases and laundering them frequently, your pillow can still become gross. As you sleep, sweat, drool, and the oils from your hair and skin can get through the pillowcase and be absorbed by your pillow. This promotes bacteria and dust mites, but remembering to give your pillows a good wash will help keep them clean and in good condition. Depending on the type of pillow you have, the inserts may need to be washed more or less frequently.

Generally, you should try to schedule your pillow washing for every three to six months, but feather-filled inserts should only be laundered a couple of times per year to keep them in good shape. People with allergies should consider washing their pillows after two months. The proper method for washing your bed pillows will vary depending on what they're filled with, but a lot of pillows, such as cotton, fiberfill, down, and feather, can be cleaned in your washer. Other varieties like latex and memory foam will need to be hand-washed or dry-cleaned. Consider putting a protector over your pillow, washing it monthly for a cleaner bed.

If you start to smell that distinct dirty dog odor as you're walking past your pet's bed, it's likely time to wash it. Though you probably wash your own bedding all the time, it can be easy to forget about your pet's linens. Bacteria contribute to the dank scents in your home, and washing your pet's bed regularly can help keep it smelling fresh. Additionally, cat and dog beds are covered in hair that spreads throughout your home, so frequent washing will also remove allergens from your space. Pet toys, particularly slobbery dog toys, will also develop unpleasant odors if you never wash them.

Your cat or dog's bed should be washed about once a month, though if you're concerned about cleanliness, you might try every other week. When washing your pet's bedding, it's a good idea to vacuum it thoroughly before throwing it in the washer. This will prevent as much of the fur from sticking inside your machine and transferring to your clothes and other laundry. You might also try putting the bed cover into a mesh laundry bag to contain the hair inside the wash.

While microfiber cloths are touted for their ability to lock in dust and debris, your rags may start to lose this ability over time if you're not washing them. Microfiber cloths are often used for dusting or cleaning multiple times, and sometimes one cloth will come into contact with different surfaces. Though you might be using cleaners with your microfiber towels, they're only getting dirtier with every use. To keep them in good condition, you'll need to wash them somewhat frequently.

Microfiber cloths should generally be washed after using them for three lighter cleaning jobs, but with messier tasks, they'll need to be laundered more often. You can also rinse the rags after each use to help get rid of some of the debris lodged in their fibers. The best way to clean microfiber towels to keep them working like new is to run them through your washer with scent-free detergent and no fabric softener to avoid residues sticking to the cloth. Washing them separately will also prevent lint and hair from other laundry from sticking to the microfiber.

The blankets that are always draped over the back of your couch might not seem dirty and often blend into your living room décor. However, they often get a lot of use and could be dirtier than you think. When you're getting cozy with your blanket on the sofa, the oils from your skin and hair get all over it. Plus, whatever dirt, crumbs, or pet hair that's on your couch can cling to your blanket as well.

Though they won't need to be washed as much as your bedding, you should be laundering your living room blankets every couple of months. While many blankets are made of materials that are suitable to be cleaned in your washer, some may need more specific care, like dry cleaning, so it's important to check the label. Just like your throw pillows, your living room blankets could probably use a wash, too.

When you gather towels to toss in the washer, you might leave your bathmat on the floor, thinking it's not as dirty. These thin rugs are constantly stepped on with dripping wet feet and remain on the bathroom floor, which keeps them from drying completely. With all that excess moisture, your bathmat will start to become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and mildew. By washing your bathmats more often, you'll make your bathroom cleaner and eliminate bacteria.

To keep mold and bacteria from growing on your bathmat, wash it every two weeks. Many of these floor mats can go in your washing machine on a warm cycle, but should be hung to dry due to their rubber, non-slip backings. Consider washing your bathmat with your towels (sequentially) to make it easier to remember and ensure your washer is balanced.

Bringing reusable bags to the grocery store is a great way to make shopping more sustainable, but when was the last time you washed those bags? You might not think of them as dirty, but those reusable grocery bags come into contact with tons of different surfaces. From your cart to the produce and meat inside, your bag can pick up bacteria from other places and bring them into your home.

After a few shopping trips or once a month, it's time to clean your reusable bags. If you've noticed something has spilled inside, wash your bag right away. While some varieties, like cloth totes, can go in your washer, insulated bags with plastic linings should be wiped with hot water and soap or a disinfectant spray. Remembering to wash your bags from time to time will prevent you from transferring bacteria from the grocery store to your house.

With regular vacuuming, your carpets or area rugs might not look or feel dirty, but you'd be surprised by how much filth could be hiding inside the material. However, they won't need to be cleaned as often as bathmats. Carpets and rugs should be washed to remove dust, hair, and dirt that may be hiding in the material. Failing to wash these floor coverings could also damage their fibers over time, shortening their longevity.

It's typically best to clean your carpets and rugs once or twice a year to keep them in good shape. In some cases, your carpets can be washed every 12 to 18 months, though with pets and kids, cleaning them every 6 months is a good idea. You might rent a carpet shampooer and get some carpet cleaner to tackle this project yourself, or you could hire a professional to do a hot water extraction on your floors and rugs.

Though towels are usually on everyone's laundry list, it's easy to leave hand towels hanging, deciding to wash them later. These towels might not seem dirty as you're drying your clean hands or face with them, but bathroom hand towels can actually harbor various strains of bacteria, including E. coli. The more people use your bathroom, the dirtier your towels will become. Additionally, the moist, humid environment of the bathroom contributes to bacteria getting on your towels.

To keep your towels clean and eliminate bacteria, wash them every two or three days if they get a lot of use. For those with skin sensitivities or if someone in the home is sick, washing them even more often can be helpful. Throw them into your machine on a hot cycle to keep your hand towels soft and fresh.