When to wash and when to toss: bathroom Edition

When to wash and when to toss: bathroom Edition

We recently dove in and discussed when to WASH and when to TOSS your bed linens. Now that our towels are back in stock, we thought we would keep the trend going and share the guidelines for your bath linens - and other items in your bathroom!

 

START WITH A CLEAN SPACE

As a general rule of thumb, your bathroom should be cleaned every week. If you're the only one who uses the bathroom, or maybe just you and a partner, you could push it to 2 weeks between cleaning. During cold/flu seasons, or if someone has been recently sick, stick to once per week. Since its recommended to clean your bathroom this often, consider sustainable and reusable cleaning tools. For example, consider using a sponge or cleaning cloth instead of a wipe that is tossed immediately and creates extra waste. If you prefer wipes, consider a biodegradable option!

Before you start cleaning, it's a good idea to clear the counter tops and shelves. If you choose to clean your shower and tub (also recommended every 1-2 weeks), clear the items from there as well. Be sure to clean top to bottom throughout your space. Start with any shelving or tall surfaces you have. Dust the surfaces if needed, then wipe down. Replace all the items once dry. Then, move to the next surface. By cleaning top to bottom, you can have peace of mind knowing that now your WHOLE bathroom is clean.

When using a cleaning product of any kind, open a window or have the fan going. By keeping the air circulating throughout the room, you help the fresh, clean smell fill the room without overpowering it.

With your bathroom neat and tidy, you can feel better about what you put into it.

The Lifespan of your bath linens + More

In the bathroom, there are a lot of factors that can affect the lifespan of the products you use in it. Those factors can include the humidity, air ventilation, how often you clean, and how many people use the item/space. The bathroom in general is home to many more germs and bacteria because of the moisture that lingers in the room. Even with good air flow and a cleaning schedule, you will still have items that get wet (towels, toothbrushes, toilet brushes, etc) and harbor those germs. SO... How can you know when to replace these items and how to keep the bacteria at bay?

THE LITTLE THINGS

An easy answer would be to say replace when you see obvious signs of wear and/or when the items are still smelly after washing. However, some items may look okay but should still be replaced - just in case. For example, loofahs and sponges should be replaced AT LEAST once every month. Toilet brushes should be replaced every three months. Shower liners should replace every three months, as well, but only if you're using a plastic (or plastic-alternative) option that is easily replaceable. Some shower liners are made to last and can be washed/disinfected easily every 3 months. Your toothbrush should be replaced every 3 months, but can be replaced every 6 months if it is still in good condition.

Toiletries can vary based on the product. Beauty and Skin Care products that may not run out as often DO have an expiration date. Purge your toiletries at least once per month to keep all your items fresh as can be!

 

THE BATH LINENS

Your towels and bath mats are items you should invest in. They can last a long time when cared for properly and switched out frequently. The best way to know it's time to replace your towel or bath mat, is by the feel, absorbency, and smell. If it feels dull and lack-luster, it's probably time to replace it. Do you have to use it multiple times just to get dry? Replace it. Still smells bad even after washing it? Replace it. Since it can be harder to notice these things in a bath mat, replace them at least once every two years.

For your bathrobes, the lifespan can vary. One of the bigger factors is how it's used. If you plan to use it to wrap up in after a shower or bath, you should keep an eye on the feel, absorbency, and smell - just like towels and bath mats. If you plan to use it for lounging, there are other numerous factors that can influence its vitality.

Keep in mind that quality and care matter. If you purchase a towel made with lower quality materials, poor finishing techniques, and/or unfinished/rough hems, it WILL wear out faster. On the contrary, a high-quality towel that isn't properly cared for, can start to wear down faster.

when to wash

As we said before, the bathroom can be home to many germs and bacteria. This means it's extremely important to wash your linens and other applicable items. Keep in mind that over-washing can damage the lifespan of your products. Avoid doing so and instead, keep a mental (or physical, if that helps you) schedule and stick to it! The exception, of course, is if there's an illness in the household, or an accidental stain.

WASHING THE LITTLE THINGS

Some of the items in your bathroom can't really be "washed" but will still need to be cared for in order to get the most out of them. For example, loofahs/sponges and toothbrushes should be rinsed under water thoroughly to make sure no residue is left behind. Any item that touches your face needs to be washed after each use. This includes, makeup application tools, facial cleansing brushes, and even face towels! Keep an eye out for other items in your bathroom that may need a wipe down or a quick wash. For example, if you have toothbrush holders, soap dishes, or other storage/organizational items, those should be wiped down or throw in the dishwasher (when applicable) at the same time you clean the bathroom.

 

WASHING YOUR BATH LINENS

Each towel is different in terms of how often it's cared for. For example, a face towel needs to be washed after each use. Hand Towels should be switched out every 1-3 days depending on how many people are using it. For bath towels and bath sheets, switch them out after 3-4 uses. Bath mats should be switched out every 1-2 weeks depending on how often they're used. Don't forget your robes either! These should be washed after 3-4 uses.

If you want to make your linens last longer, and want to avoid washing them at different times, STOCK UP! By having extra towels and bath mats, you can have cycle through towels throughout the weeks and wash your linens in groups versus smaller loads sporadically. We recommend 3 body towels (bath towels or bath sheets) per person. If you use face towels, we recommend 3-4 so that they can be switched out OR get one for each day of the week. For hand towels, we recommend having 3-4 per bathroom AT LEAST.  Since hand towels are often used by multiple people, having more than 3-4 can be nice in case of illness, allergies, or accidents.

Keeping track of it all

We know keeping track of different care instructions can feel overwhelming. When it comes to laundry, we need one less thing to separate and remember, right? Well with Essell Home products, we send you a care card made of a thicker card stock with every order. Store this in your laundry room or with your extra set of towels. Feeling like that won’t work for you? Or maybe you’ve already lost your card? Don’t fret! We’ve got you covered there too. We keep our care instructions conveniently on our website here so that you never have to worry.