There’s nothing quite like climbing into fresh sheets or grabbing a clean towel after a shower. But when it comes to actually washing all of those household linens, it can be hard to know what needs a weekly wash and what can wait a little longer.
The good news? You don’t need to wash everything constantly. A simple routine can help keep things feeling fresh without adding unnecessary loads of laundry to your week.
Here’s a handy guide to how often to wash some of the most-used linens in your home.
Bed Sheets: About Once a Week
Your sheets collect sweat, body oils, skincare products, hair and everyday dust while you sleep, so giving them a regular wash helps keep your bed feeling fresh.
For most households, washing sheets about once a week is a good routine. You may want to wash them more frequently during hot weather, after being sick or if pets sleep in your bed.
For an everyday wash, use your regular Mint Laundry Detergent and follow the care instructions on your bedding.
Mint Tip: Don’t overload the machine. Giving sheets plenty of room to move helps them wash and rinse more effectively.
Pillowcases: Once a Week — or More Often
Because pillowcases are in direct contact with your face and hair every night, they can collect oils and skincare products fairly quickly.
Washing them along with your sheets once a week is an easy habit. If you have oily hair or skin, use lots of nighttime skincare or simply love that freshly washed feeling, swapping your pillowcase more frequently is an easy little refresh.
Duvet Covers: Every 1–2 Weeks
If you use a top sheet, your duvet cover may be able to go a little longer between washes. If your duvet is directly against your body every night, you’ll probably want to wash the cover more often.
As always, check the care label first, especially with delicate fabrics.
Duvets & Comforters: Every Few Months
Unlike your sheets, the duvet or comforter itself doesn’t need to go into the wash every week.
For most homes, a few times a year is plenty, unless there’s a spill, pet accident or another reason it needs an earlier refresh.
Make sure your machine is large enough for bulky bedding. Overpacking the washer can make it harder for detergent and water to circulate properly.
Bath Towels: Every 3–4 Uses
Towels might look clean after a shower, but they stay damp for quite a while, especially in humid bathrooms.
A good rule of thumb is to wash bath towels after roughly three to four uses, provided they’re hung up properly and allowed to dry completely between showers.
If a towel starts smelling musty before then, it’s time for a wash.
Mint Tip: Spread towels out instead of leaving them bunched on hooks or the floor. The faster they dry, the fresher they’ll stay between washes.
Hand Towels: Every Few Days
Hand towels tend to get a lot more use than we realize, especially in busy kitchens and bathrooms.
Try switching them out every few days, or sooner if they’re damp, visibly dirty or getting lots of use.
Keeping a couple of clean extras nearby makes this one easy.
Kitchen Towels & Dish Cloths: Frequently
Kitchen linens work hard.
They’re used for hands, counters, dishes, spills and everything in between, so they generally need washing more frequently than bath linens.
Replace kitchen towels every few days and swap out damp or heavily used dish cloths even sooner.
Let them dry completely between uses rather than leaving them crumpled beside the sink.
Mattress Protectors: Every 1–2 Months
Mattress protectors don’t need to be washed as frequently as your sheets, but they shouldn’t be forgotten either.
A wash every month or two can help keep the layers underneath your bedding fresh. Check the care label first, as waterproof protectors may have specific washing and drying instructions.
When Your Laundry Needs a Little Extra Help
For especially well-loved towels, bedding or loads that need a deeper refresh, adding Mint Laundry Booster alongside your regular detergent can give your laundry routine a little extra cleaning power.
And if softer-feeling laundry is part of your routine, Mint Fabric Softener can be added according to the product directions and your fabric’s care instructions.
The goal isn’t to wash everything constantly. It’s simply to find a rhythm that works for your home.
A Simple Laundry Rhythm
You don’t need to wash everything all the time. A simple routine can help keep towels, bedding and everyday linens feeling fresh without making laundry feel like a full-time job.
As an easy guide:
The best schedule is the one that works for your household, your routines and how often things are actually being used. A few small habits, like washing pillowcases regularly, letting towels dry completely between uses and giving bulky bedding enough room in the machine, can make a big difference over time.