10 Everyday Items You Never Think to Wash (But Should)

Let’s play a game. I’m going to name some things in your house, and you tell me the last time you washed them. The throw pillows you flop onto every night after dinner. The curtains that have hung through three pollen seasons without a single trip through the wash. The reusable grocery bag that hauled raw chicken home on Monday and your kid’s apples on Tuesday. Same bag, no rinse in between. Uncomfortable, right? Don’t worry.

Most cleaning advice sticks to the greatest hits: kitchen counters, bathrooms, the laundry hamper. Fine. Important. But there’s a whole second tier of household items nobody mentions because nobody’s thinking about them: throw pillows, curtains, reusable bags, the shower curtain liner you’ve had since flip phones were cool (kidding… sort of).

These things collect dust, dust mites, pet dander, food particles, and assorted everyday grime quietly for months or years. None of it is dangerous, exactly, but it adds up. Wash them once and your house will smell fresher, your allergies might bother you less, and a few items you’d given up on will look noticeably better.

Ready? Let’s get after it.

1. Throw Pillows

How often: Twice a year, minimum. More often if pets sleep on them.

How to wash: Most throw pillows can go right in the washing machine. Wash two at a time on the gentle cycle in cool water with a small amount of mild detergent. Add an extra rinse cycle to make sure all the soap is out. Dry on low with a few tennis balls or dryer balls to fluff up the filling.

Dry-clean-only tag? Vacuum thoroughly with the upholstery attachment, then sprinkle with baking soda, leave for an hour, and vacuum again. Spot-clean stains with a damp cloth and a drop of Dawn.

2. Curtains and Drapes

How often: Once or twice a year for sheers; every two to three years for heavier drapes.

How to wash: Take down the curtains and shake them outside (the amount of dust that falls is alarming). Most cotton and synthetic curtains can be machine-washed on gentle in cool water. Lined drapes, silk, or velvet should be dry-cleaned.

The trick: re-hang while still slightly damp. Curtains hung wet hang straight and dry without wrinkles, skipping the ironing step entirely.

• MORE: Are You Washing Everything Too Often (or Not Enough)?

3. Reusable Grocery Bags

How often: Once a week if you use them often. The same bag that holds raw meat one day and produce the next is a real food-safety concern most people never think about.

How to wash: Cotton and canvas bags go in the washing machine on cold with regular detergent. Insulated bags get wiped down with disinfecting wipes or a spray of vinegar-and-water, inside and out. Dry completely before storing.

A useful habit: keep one bag specifically for raw meat and label it. Wash it after every use.

4. Shower Curtain Liner

How often: Every two to three months.

How to wash: Toss the plastic or fabric liner in the washing machine with two old towels (which act as gentle scrubbers). Hot water, regular detergent, and a half cup of white vinegar in the rinse. Hang to dry — don’t put in the dryer.

This pulls off soap scum, mildew, and the pink bacteria that develops on the bottom edge. Saves you from replacing the liner every six months.

5. Pillowcases AND Pillow Inserts

How often: Pillowcases weekly, pillow inserts every 4 to 6 months.

How to wash: Most synthetic and down pillows are machine-washable. Wash two at a time for balance, on the gentle cycle in warm water. Dry on low with dryer balls until completely dry… usually 60 to 90 minutes. A damp pillow center grows mold.

A pillow that’s lost its shape after washing is past its life. Replace it. Most pillows are good for 1 to 2 years.

6. Lampshades

How often: Twice a year.

How to wash: For fabric or paper shades: use a lint roller or the soft-brush attachment on your vacuum to lift dust. For washable fabric shades (rare but check the label): submerge in cool soapy water, swish gently, rinse, and air-dry away from sunlight.

A dust-free lampshade actually noticeably brightens the room. You’ll see the difference the next time you turn the light on.

7. Toothbrush Holder

How often: Weekly.

How to wash: Studies have repeatedly found toothbrush holders to be among the dirtiest items in the bathroom, often containing more bacteria than the toilet seat. Run it through the dishwasher if it’s dishwasher safe. Otherwise, soak in hot soapy water with a splash of vinegar for 15 minutes, scrub the inside with a small brush, and air dry.

8. Cloth Napkins and Tablecloths

How often: Cloth napkins after each use; tablecloths after meals where they were used, or every 2 to 3 months if decorative.

How to wash: Most cotton and linen napkins and tablecloths can go in the regular wash. Pre-treat any spots immediately with the homemade stain paste. Iron while slightly damp for the crisp look.

A small tip: a basket near the kitchen for used cloth napkins keeps them out of sight until laundry day and saves you from constantly buying paper.

• MORE: The Day I Learned How to Stop Using Paper Towels for Good

9. Backpacks, Lunchboxes, and Purses

How often: Backpacks once a season; lunchboxes weekly; purses occasionally.

How to wash: Most backpacks and lunchboxes can be machine-washed on gentle in cold water (zip up all zippers first, place in a mesh bag). Hang to dry… never the dryer.

For leather or specialty purses: wipe the exterior with a damp cloth, clean the interior with a small vacuum attachment, and treat any leather with a small amount of leather conditioner once a year.

• MORE: How to Remove Pen from Leather Without Damage

10. Stuffed Animals

How often: Every few months for ones the kids use heavily. Once a year for the rest.

How to wash: Most stuffed animals can be machine-washed. Place inside a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase to protect them. Wash on gentle, cool water, mild detergent. Air dry or tumble on the very lowest setting with dryer balls.

For battery-operated or particularly delicate ones: spot-clean with a damp cloth and a drop of Dawn. Sprinkle with baking soda, leave for an hour, then vacuum off to freshen.

Bonus: A Few More You Might Be Missing

Since you’re already in a washing mood, might as well go all in:

• Bath mats and rugs: Every two weeks
• Oven mitts and pot holders: Monthly
• Mattress cover/protector: Every two months
• Couch cushion covers (if removable): Twice a year
• Welcome mat: Monthly shake-out, seasonal wash
• Yoga mat: Wipe weekly, deep wash monthly
• Pet beds: Every two to four weeks
• Car seat covers: Seasonally
• Laundry hamper itself: Wipe down monthly

The Simple System That Makes This Actually Doable

Here’s where I stop you before you try to tackle this entire list in one weekend. Don’t. You’ll burn out by Saturday afternoon and never touch it again.

Instead, add just one item to whatever load you’re already doing. Washing towels? Toss the shower curtain liner in with them. Washing sheets? The pillow inserts ride along. Washing throw blankets? That’s your throw pillow covers’ moment.

Within a month or two, everything on this list has been freshened up — and adding one “forgotten” item per cycle becomes second nature. The house feels cleaner. Your allergies behave. And you will never again side-eye your curtains wondering when they last saw soap and water.

 

Question: Which item on this list shocked you to realize you’d never washed? Or what would you add to the list? Share in the comments below.

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