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Your Go-To Wash Guide

April 06, 2015

The majority of you probably strip the bed every 10 to 14 days, while a good many of you go three and even four weeks in between washings! Eek! That got us thinking that perhaps some guidelines about when to wash what might be useful.

 

Sheets (Once a week)

Sheets should be washed often to remove a buildup of debris, dust, sweat and other icky things. Use hot water (130 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit) and a hot dryer cycle to kill all germs.

 

Cars (Every one to three weeks)

If you live near a large body of water, somewhere with extreme weather conditions, drive a lot or park outside, a once a week washing is a good idea in order to protect the finish. Otherwise, every two to three weeks is sufficient.

 

Jeans (Every four to five wears)

It’s ok to wear your heavy denim jeans several times before washing, as long as they're not stained. Over-washing can cause them to wear out prematurely.

How to:

1. Turn jeans inside out and wash in cold water.

2. Drip dry.

 

Bras (Every 3 to 4 wears)

A general rule is that you should never wear the same bra two days in a row, because elastic needs time to reshape. Have a rotation of a few bras, and give each one at least 24 hours to recover before wearing it again. With proper rotation, bras can last several wears between washes.

 

 

Grout (Once a year)

Tackle scrubbing the grout in your shower (or any tiled surface) annually. You can easily brighten the grout with a simple, homemade cleaner.

How to:

1. Spray a 50-50 solution of water and chlorine bleach onto the grout (never use bleach on colored grout).
2. Let it sit for 20 minutes.
3. Then, using a grout brush dampened in clean water scrub to remove dirt and debris.
4. Blot with a dry cloth.

Want to clean the surface of tiles, too? Dilute this solution by half and use it to get white tiles sparkling clean.

 

Window Screens (Once a year)

When warm weather arrives, it's time to de-grime and let the fresh air in.

How to:

1. Take screens out to the yard and spray them with a garden hose. (Remember to mark them so you will recall which windows they fit.)
2. Gently scrub the screens using a nylon-covered sponge and a cleaning solution of one part ammonia and three parts water.
3. Rinse with the hose and leave screens outside to dry in the sun.

No yard? Lay a drop cloth or blanket in your bathtub and place the screens on top. Clean the screens and hold them under the showerhead to rinse. If your tub is too small for the screens to lie flat, rest the bottom edges on the floor, placing them on an old towel. Spot-clean each screen using a nylon sponge and a squirt of window cleaner, then do the reverse side. Let screens air-dry.

Psst! Before you put the screens back, clean the tracks in the window frame. Wrap strips of soft cloth around the tip of a screwdriver, dip it into soapy water and swab each corner and crevice.

 

Mattress (Every six months)

Believe it or not, the big, bulky bedroom essential is one of the easiest-to-clean items in your home—and it should be done twice a year!

How to:

1. Vacuum the top of the mattress using an upholstery attachment.
2. Then, remove stains by wiping down the surface with a cloth lightly dampened with cold water and a small amount of upholstery shampoo. Be careful not to soak the mattress (moisture can create mold and damage the padding).

Protect your mattress from dust mites and stains by buying a quality mattress pad. And guess what: There's no need to flip your mattress! Instead, rotate it head to toe every six months for even wear.

 

Windows (Twice a year)

Inside and out, windows are a must-tackle item to keep your home looking squeaky clean! By washing them regularly and using a squeegee, you'll get the best results!

How to:

1. Clean first with a sponge and a solution of 5 drops liquid dish detergent in 2 gallons water, plus a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol for extra shine.
2. After that, using a lint-free cloth or a coffee filter, clean a 1-inch strip at the top of the window.
3. Moisten the squeegee blade, position it in the strip and pull down in a smooth stroke.
4. Repeat, slightly overlapping each stroke, until the window is clean.

Get rid of pesky streaks! Wipe vertically on one side of the window and horizontally on the other so you can determine which side a streak is on.

 

Bed Pillows (Every three to six months)

One study found that 16 species of fungi can live in an average pillow, and the stuffing actually attracts allergy-causing dust mites. So to ensure you're only laying your head down in a clean space, wash your pillows a few times throughout the year.

How to:

1. Use the gentle cycle on your machine, hot water and liquid detergent (powder can leave a residue). Wash two regular-size pillows together to balance the load (king-size ones should go one at a time).
2. Run the rinse cycle twice.
3. Then, to dry them, place pillows in the dryer with two clean tennis balls, and set on low. Polyester-or cotton-filled pillows take one to two hours to dry; down requires two hours or more (check for moistness or clumps by pinching several spots on the pillow.)

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