Washing your clothes is a common task, but there are other things in your home that you should wash, too. Do you know when was the last time you washed your throw blankets? You  should regularly wash them and other linens, as they can be a breeding ground for bacteria that can affect you and your family.

Here’s a guide on how and when should you wash them:

Rugs

At home, the carpet or rug gets constant traffic every day, and needs extra care if you want it to last. Although carpets and rugs are made to take a beating, the amount of use they get determines how often you should clean it.

Any household should vacuum their carpet once a week as the bare minimum. If your home has pets and a high amount of foot traffic, then it’ll be necessary to clean your carpets more frequently—twice or even three times a week. It will help release allergens from carpet fibers and will keep your carpet looking its best.

When it comes to rugs, thoroughly vacuum and give them a good shake outside to remove the dust and dirt.

To get the deep-packed dirt, we suggest you use a good old-fashioned beating with the help of a wooden spoon. For stains, most carpets and rugs can be treated by dabbing or spraying it with water, and using a sponge to clean it, or white cloth on both sides (never rub it) and repeat if deemed necessary.

Pillow Cases

Along with the chairs and couches they’re on, you should vacuum your throw pillows regularly to prevent the dust from mounting up and working its way into fibers. We suggest washing those once a season if your cushions have removable covers. You can also clean the feather inserts, but do at least two at a time to balance the load and prevent lumpiness.

Shower Curtains

The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in your home. It’s used daily by multiple people, so fabric shower curtains should be washed monthly to keep mold from forming, and the liner should be washed every week or two. Spray them down with a homemade diluted vinegar solution, let it sit, and then rinse to clean plastic liners.

Fabric shower curtains should be machine-washed—with bleach if they’re white, oxygen bleach if they’re not—and dried in the dryer. If mildew smell develops, the curtains  can usually be recovered with the help of an extra-hot wash cycle, and plastic ones should be substituted.

Bath Mats

If you have a dark colored mat, you might not be able to tell how it gets dirty at a glance because it hides the dirt. You should never forget to read the care instructions, but most cotton and synthetic rugs can be tossed in the wash with warm or cold water. Always air-dry them, especially if the rug has a rubber backing.

Throw Blankets

You should wash your fleece separately if possible. This method will prevent friction between fabrics from roughing up your blanket’s surface and causing pills. You can remove the pills with a disposable razor or sweater shaver if your blanket does pill despite your best efforts of taking care of it. We recommend line drying them or using a no-heat setting on your dryer to keep them from shrinking too.

Curtains

Curtains aren’t something you interact with frequently, so you might think they don’t need to be cleaned. Over time, curtains can deteriorate due to exposure from sunlight, dust, odors and other elements. They should be washed at least twice a year to ensure that they aren’t harboring any harmful bacteria that can affect your family.

If they’re linen, silk, or synthetic, they should go to the dry cleaners, but if they’re cotton, putting them separately in the washing machine should be fine.

Comforters and Blankets

If you remove layers during the warmer months, you should wash your blankets and quilts once a season or before storing them for the summer. Don’t forget to wash them on a gentle cycle with a small amount of mild detergent.

To make sure there are no visible soap particles, run the comforter through two rinse cycles.  And when it comes to drying—especially if it’s a down comforter—put a couple of clean tennis balls or dryer balls in with the load to prevent the feathers from clumping in one area.

Caring for your towels, rugs, and blankets will ensure that they stay clean and comfy for years to come. Don’t forget to read the care instructions, so you don’t ruin them. By letting the professionals clean and care for your home, it will help you maintain a healthy atmosphere at home.