Оптимальный график стирки: что стирать еженедельно, ежемесячно и ежеквартально

Set—and stick to—a schedule so you can stay on top of this essential chore.

Laundry is a seemingly endless task that can be overwhelming at times. If you find yourself dreading a full hamper, arm yourself with an organized laundry schedule to make the chore feel less stressful and more manageable.

Knowing when to wash certain clothes and linens, such as bedding and towels, is half the battle. Below, you’ll find a list of items you should be washing, along with how often they should be laundered. Learn what to wash weekly, monthly, quarterly, or biannually, and get our best tips for making your schedule stick. Creating and committing to one will make laundry easier and take the guesswork out of the task.

Связанный: The 11 Best Laundry Baskets and Hampers, According to Testing

Weekly Laundry Schedule

While there are debates over how often you should wash items like jeans или bath towels, you’ve likely figured out your comfort level by now and know when it’s time. You should be washing anything worn or used daily—and therefore, gets the dirtiest—on a weekly basis. It helps to have designated laundry hampers to sort categories and a system to ward off the “clothes chair.”

One way to avoid a pileup is by resisting the urge to do a week’s worth of laundry in one day. Spending a lazy Sunday playing catch up might be tempting, but it creates piles and piles of things to put away. If that currently works for you, great! But if you’re looking to lessen the load, washing a maximum of one or two loads per day may be more manageable.

These are the items you should wash weekly. Assign one category per day, and aim to wash and put away all items in that load each day. Tweak it to be as convenient as possible, depending on factors like your lifestyle, household size, and so forth. And don’t forget: If you have capable hands in the house, recruit them to help put their laundry away.

• Clothing: Any clothing items worn during the week should be washed and either folded or hung up in their proper location so they’re ready to wear again. You’ll likely need to do a load of colors and a load of neutrals.
• Sheets: Washing your sheets at least once a week can cut down on dirt, grime, and dust mites that accumulate while you sleep. Even if your sheets aren’t visibly dirty, they’re constantly collecting oils, bacteria, and even dead skin cells. There’s no better feeling than starting the week with a fresh set on your bed!
• Towels: This includes bath towels, hand towels, washcloths, reusable makeup remover cloths, kitchen dish towels, as well as pool and beach towels during the summer season. A tip for conquering towels, especially those that need to be swapped frequently, is to ensure you have enough on hand. For example, if you wash your makeup off at the end of each day, have at least seven washcloths on hand so you can use a fresh one each night, even if you only have time to wash them once weekly.
• Delicate items: This is anything that got soiled throughout the week but should be hand-washed or run through a gentle cycle. 
• Heavy-duty items: This involves particularly dirty or sweaty items, such as sports uniforms, workout clothes, or work gear, that you don’t want to wash with your other clothes.
• Pet bedding: Depending on how dirty your dog (or other animal) gets, you can likely get away with washing their bedding biweekly or even monthly.

Связанный: Is It OK to Wash Clothes and Towels Together?

Monthly Laundry Schedule

Rest assured that the bulk of your laundry is done throughout the week and that you can be a bit more flexible with the rest of the items on this list. That’s not to say you should neglect them altogether, but if they don’t get washed on the same day every month, it’s not the end of the world. However, an easy way to make sure you remember is to add reminders to your digital calendar and set them to repeat each month.

Take note of the following things you should launder monthly. Another tip to make your monthly laundry to-do list easier to check off is to separate them into categories. Choose one day to wash bedding, another to wash bathroom items, and so on.

• Washable rugs: Washable rugs that get a lot of wear, such as in an entryway or kitchen, should be washed once a month to keep them clean. These can be washed quarterly if they don’t get much foot traffic.
• Throw blankets: These can also be washed less frequently if seldom used, however throw blankets that are used daily (such as on your main sofa or favorite chair) should be washed once a month.
• Throw pillows: Whether they’re on a bed or sofa, throw pillows (or at least their decorative covers) should be washed once a month. If you aren’t able to actually launder them, a few swipes of a handheld vacuum will remove dust that has collected on them.
• Pillow protectors: If you use a pillow protector, it’s not necessary to wash it each time you launder your pillowcase. Toss it in with your bedding once a month to keep it (and your pillow) fresh.
• Duvet covers and comforters: Whichever top layer of bedding you prefer, it should be washed once a month. Although you might not always come in direct contact with it while you sleep, it collects the majority of the dust from your bedroom, and can pick up dirt and oils left on your sheets. Though it can be a time-consuming task, wash your duvet cover или launder your comforter on a monthly basis.
• Bathrobes and bath mats: Although you might only wear it when you’re fresh out of the shower, your bathrobe should be laundered fairly frequently. The same goes for the cozy flooring cover you step on each time you get out of the shower: Aim to wash your bath mats at least once a month.
• Shower curtains and liners: While you’re washing items used before and after the shower, consider washing the shower curtain and liner as well. Regular cleanings will eliminate soap scum buildup and keep your curtains in top shape.
• The washing machine itself: As you’re tackling your monthly laundry list, go ahead and clean your washing machine as well. Regular cleaning eliminates grime, build up, and the telltale musty scent of mildew.

Связанный: Here’s How Much Laundry Detergent to Use for the Best Results

Quarterly Laundry Schedule

Try to wash the following items quarterly, using the first day of each season as your reminder to launder them.

• Bed pillows: Pillowcases and pillow protectors are already on your weekly and monthly schedules, but don’t forget about the inserts themselves. Bed pillows should be washed 3-4 times a year to keep them fresh and in good condition.
• Coats and jackets: In most climates, winter coats only need to be washed at the start and end of the season unless there are apparent stains, in which case they should be washed (or dry cleaned) right away.
• Accessories like sneakers and baseball caps: Take this time to clean items like sweaty baseball caps, hats and gloves, or your favorite sneakers.

Связанный: How to Wash Shoes in the Washing Machine (Without Damage)

Biannual Laundry Schedule

Consider washing these items throughout your home every six to twelve months.

• Window curtains: Whether they’re practical or simply decorative, window curtains should be washed at least once every six months. Follow the washing instructions on the care tag, and consider vacuuming them first to remove excess dust.
• Mattresses: Obviously a mattress can’t be thrown in the washing machine, but you can still clean it! Vacuum it and spot-treat stains to keep your mattress cleaner longer.

Связанный: Vacuuming Your Mattress Is the Crucial Bedroom Cleaning Step You Shouldn’t Skip

Чтобы узнать больше о новостях Better Homes & Gardens, обязательно Подпишитесь на наши новости!

Прочтите оригинальную статью на Лучшие дома и сады.