How Often You Should Actually Be Washing Your Towels And Sheets

[frigilux]

I feel within the norm with most listed above, but seem to be alone in the twice-a-week sheet laundering--usually Wednesday and Sunday.

My mom changed sheets twice a week and I grew accustomed to it. I love me some crisp, fresh bed linens!

Have only one set of sheets, so it's just a matter of laundering and putting them back onto the bed when they emerge from the dryer.

Interesting to read everyone's approaches to laundering various items we all use!

 

[lordkenmore]

I've had, at times, the only one set of sheets approach. I don't really like it now, since I think there is something to be said for having a clean backup set in case I need to change suddenly, and don't have time to wash and dry. For example, if I had a cat living with me, and said cat decided to barf all over the sheets right at bed time. Not that a cat would ever do something so evil. Oh, no, of course not. LOL

Right now, when I change sheets, I let the old ones sit until next time sheet change is needed. I then wash them, and they immediately go on the bed. A week of sitting is probably best avoided, but I like the fresh (and fleeting) line dry scent too much.

 

[tolivac]

For me--curtains when they appear actually dirty.When curtains hang at the window-the sunlight weakens the material-When they are weak-washing just shreds them-so you have to buy new ones-new ones are nice-a diffrent color or pattern.Don't use kitchen towels or dishrags--GROSS!!!!Use the dishwasher instead!Sometimes you can get serviceable curtains at yard sales!-when I do wash those.So far so good-only one set got shredded.

 

[mrsalvo]

Wednesday is all things laundry day, even ironing. I try to finish up before dinner time.

Sheets and night clothes: I change every week, almost without fail. Linens are white for the most part, washed in hot water.
Bath towels: Every 2 or 3 uses. More for wash cloths. I read on yahoo that dermatologists recommends changing them out every use, as there is a bacterial fungus that can grow on wet towels and cause major skin irritation. This can occur if the towel is not spread open when drying, so I err on the side of caution. My towels are light color or white, always washed in hot water. Wash cloths are always white.

Hand towels: I change them out often, every other use.
Quilts: Every month or so in the summer, less in the winter.
Kitchen towels and dish cloths: weekly.
Jeans and denims: Weekly, or as needed.

I just try to follow common sense.

After all the laundry is finished I thoroughly clean my washer/dryer and laundry space. I CANNOT STAND a filthy laundry area, or machines.

 

[mrb627]

The Next Wave!

In water and energy conservation will be programming consumers to not wash at all.

Malcolm

 

[roto204]

Sheets

We follow the once-weekly thing, too. I have a few sets; extras for guests, and you bet your sweet fanny that the first time you're tired, it's 9:57, and you saunter in to discover the cat has honked on your bed, you'll be grateful for that spare set.

 

[dustin92]

BLEGH!!!! I tend to wash sheets once a week or so; but we had friends living with us for about a year in our finished basement (completely finished, walk out basement, basically a second house) and I tended to think they were keeping up with things... BUT... I think I was wrong... They just got their own house and moved out, and I went downstairs today to treat for fleas.. Completely infested. I noticed they had left the fitted sheet on the bed.. our bed and our sheets- The flat sheet was folded in the linen cupboard but the fitted sheet was on the bed and looking like it hadn't been washed in months... I put down new carpet and repainted the room in April... I don't think the sheets had been washed since; there was brown/gray body imprints where they slept! I'm still undecided if I'm going to try washing them or just put them in the trash! DISGUSTING!!!! How anyone can live like this is beyond me, the washer and dryer are less than 20 feet from the bedroom and they had full use of them, we have our own upstairs! Unfortunately, I think we may end up calling in an exterminator for the flea infeststion, so far my treatment has had little to no effect.

 

[mrb627]

Unwashed Sheets...

I would discard those sheets and possibly the mattress with them. YUK!
Maybe you can go live with them for a couple of days while your house is tented for fleas... LOL!

Malcolm

 

[frigilux]

I agree: Sheets and mattress to the curb. 

Nate: One Set Of Sheets=Living On The Edge! Back-up plan: Sleep in the guest room. I have had to drag the bedding down to the laundry room at 10:00 p.m. once or twice; otherwise it has worked out well since...about the time you were born, LOL.

 

[iheartmaytag]

Need several sets of sheets

If you have ever had a puking kid, you will reap the benefit of multiple sets of sheets.

Once did 12 (full) loads of sheets in one night. Thank God that hasn't happened again.

 

[askolover]

My day sleep bed is a waterbed, only one set of sheets...about every two weeks because I NEVER go to bed without a shower.

Our King main bedroom we have 6 sets...2 flannel and 2 percale 1 sateen...same rule

Quilts and comforters at least yearly....all in one big washer at the laundromat because thick king sized things don't fit in a European Asko compact washer

Bath towels and wash cloths after every use...they are all white and all get bleached.

Kitchen towels at least every couple of days, sometimes daily, sometimes twice daily if I'm cooking a lot

Dish rags usually after use because I can't stand a smelly soured dishrag!

 

[dustin92]

Malcolm...

I don't think THAT is going to happen (living with them while the house is treated for fleas)... They obviously took their infested animals (one dog, one cat) with them so I'm sure their new house is already crawling, and they both smoke like freight trains.. I couldn't stand to be around all that smoke for more than an hour and clothes go directly into the washer and myself into the shower as soon as I walk in the door. They complained about having to smoke outside while they lived here, but we weren't about to let them do it inside! It was funny however, watching them stand outside in a snow storm puffing away LOL. May try to wash the sheets to within an inch of their life just to be used as packing material/padding. No way I'll ever sleep on them again! Luckily the mattress has two mattress covers on it so hopefully none of the filth permeated them.

 

[michaelman2]

Good grief Dustin, that is terrible. You are right... It is unimaginable how some people "live". It would be one thing if they could not do better. This, that you describe is just plain out old fashioned filthy, nasty and lazy. With regard to replying with my answer to the original posting: I am a freak about crisp clean sheets so twice a week for sheets. Bath towels twice a week or more. Kitchen towels usually after one or two uses. I am really trying to cut down on the use of paper towels so I can go through a stack of kitchen towels quickly.

 

[frigilux]

Awesome! Another twice-a-week bed linen launderer. I was beginning to think I was the only one, LOL.There really is something great about fresh sheets and pillowcases. There is no blanket on my bed; just sheets and a comforter, so making up the bed---even with seven pillows---takes only a few minutes.

 

[appnut]

I have 4 sets of sheets for summer--2 that are microfiber mimicking 1400 thread count and 2 all cotton at 400 thread count.  For winter (when it gets cold enough to use them) 3 sets of flannel.  All queen size.  Summer sheets, both sets of like "kind" go in the machine together.  Flannels, one set at a time--washer doesn't like more than one set of flannels. I have about 16 or 8 kitchen towels and 16-20 dish cloths.  I also have about 30+ napkins that are extra nice cotton cloths.  All these an be washed together.  I don't believe in using paper towels.  A roll of paper towels can last me for up to 6 months if not more. 

 

[stainfighter]

Bed linens and

Towels, about every 3-4 days.

 

[kimball455]

Sheets minimum weekly unless there is a cat accident. Blankets about every two weeks again based on cat activity. Bath towels get used once and then into the laundry hamper. Kitchen towels cycled about every two days, collected and washed. Washable quilts, etc. at least monthly. My new LG washer and dryer are excellent. It appears that the hot wash for the LG is really at supply temp which is 140F. The washer does have a heater. Have used the steam cycle a few times when work clothes etc. are really grungy. Does a great job. Use the sanitary when dealing with cat barf.
Harry