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Whether it’s a dish towel or a lone sock, we all accidentally leave a few things out on wash day from time to time. But what about the bigger things? While you might think you’re pretty good at keeping up with your laundry and getting everything clean, there could be some crucial pieces that you’re overlooking — or that you didn’t even realize you’re supposed to wash.

1. Mattress covers

Sure, you strip the bed and take off your sheets every week (hopefully), but many of us forget to wash our mattress cover or mattress pad. While you don’t need to wash these things as frequently as the rest of your bedding, it’s good to do it at least every month.

If your mattress cover is waterproof, be sure to wash it in a waterproof cycle (if your washing machine has one) to prevent damage. If you don’t, a delicate cycle will likely do.

2. Slipcovers

Is your living room smelling a little ripe? Or, was someone recently sick? Marieke Van der Graaf, founder of Laundrylicious says it’s important to slip off those furniture slipcovers. “Especially if you have couches from stores like Ikea, they’re easy to wash,” she explains.

3. Decorative pillows

Decorative pillows can start to look anything but decorative if they’re dirty. Don’t forget the decorative pillows on sofas and accent chairs, as well as the bedroom. “Those should be washed too,” Van der Graaf says. “They’re moved around so many times by hands.”

She suggests washing pillows every three to six months. However, if you have pets or kids, you may want to clean them on a more regular basis.

4. Bed skirts

Bed skirts are another big miss for many of us. “They may not actually look dirty, but they do attract lint and debris over time, plus you want to clean the air you breathe, so you want to make sure the fabric around you is sanitized,” Van der Graaf explains. Plan to wash bed skirts every three to six months.

5. Curtains

Curtains also tend to attract lots of dirt, dust, and hair. Van der Graaf says they should be washed yearly for the most part, but quarterly if they’re in a particularly highly trafficked area of the home, like the living room.

6. Comforters

If you sleep with a bare comforter, you should probably wash it at least every other week. On the other hand, if you cover your comforter with a duvet, Van der Graff recommends washing it every three months. Of course, if you remove your duvet and the comforter has stains or an unpleasant odor — you probably want to wash it more frequently.

7. Pot holders

Food bacteria can be a health hazard, and while you probably clean off your countertops frequently, most of us neglect to wash our pot holders. “Wash them weekly or when dirty,” Van der Graff says. “Pot holders can carry a lot of germs and bacteria.” This is true for both the outside and inside of pot holders, so a run through the wash is crucial to keeping these clean and sanitary.

(Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at www.realsimple.com.)

©2025 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.