When Was the Last Time You Washed That?
When was the last time you washed the outfit you're currently wearing? What about your favorite pair of shoes that goes everywhere with you? Your hat? Your socks? Chances are, you probably overlook a ton of stuff you regularly wear and use. But even items that don't look or smell dirty can pick up dust and grime over time, not to mention all that dead skin you shed daily (gross, right?). If you can't remember the last time you cleaned something, take that as a sign that you should probably go clean it.
1. Your Sneakers
Your white kicks might still look pretty pristine, but what about all the sweat that's collected on the inside? Don't be that person who only gives them a wipe after there's noticeable grime on them. Plus, make sure to always check the best washing method for your pair—if you just toss them in a washing machine, they could get damaged.
2. Your Baseball Caps
Got a favorite cap? Well, if you're not giving it a good scrub each week, the inside can absorb sweat, scalp oils, and makeup every time you wear it. Because discoloration happens gradually, you might even realize how dirty it's gotten until you finally soak it in some suds!
3. Your Bras
If you only have one or two bras that truly fit you, you might be tempted to go days without washing them, especially when they don't smell or appear dirty. Even so, you should remember that each time you wear it, the fabric collects sweat, oils, and other skincare products, which can end up irritating your skin.
4. Your Socks
Your socks should really be washed as frequently as your undergarments. After all, they collect a lot of sweat and foot odor each hour your feet stay enclosed in shoes. Ideally, you should be wearing a fresh pair every day, and swap it out sooner if you've done any intense activity.
5. Your Scarves
Scarves brush against your face, hair, and makeup, and yet they can rarely see a washing machine until the season's already over. Like baseball caps, you might not realize how much grime they've collected until you give them a good scrubbing, and certain designs can hide all that buildup even more. Yikes!
6. Your Winter Gloves
Your winter gloves might keep you warm, but think about all the stuff they've touched, from door handles to shopping carts and countless other not-so-clean surfaces. And that's not even counting all the perspiration that's trapped inside! Despite all of that, they're often tossed into a coat pocket and worn again the next day.
7. Your Makeup Brushes
Be honest: when was the last time you washed your makeup brushes? Sure, you might stretch out your deep-cleaning routines if you rarely wear a full face, but still, your brushes can look perfectly usable while holding layers of dead skin, oils, and product residue between their bristles. If you tend to use them to blend out liquid or cream formulas, you'll want to wash them even more often!
8. Your Makeup Sponges
Don't forget your makeup sponge, either. Even if you've gotten used to reusing your damp sponge every morning, think about all that trapped dirt and bacteria caked underneath layers of old foundation and concealer... Eugh. You should ideally wash it after every single use, or you risk breaking your skin out.
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9. Your Hairbrush
Did you know you have to clean your hairbrush, too? And no, we don't just mean removing the hair from the bristles. From hair oil to styling products and (yes, again) dead skin, a lot of stuff you don't want to think about can accumulate near the base, which could then end up back in your freshly washed hair. You see where we're going?
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10. Your Hair Accessories
If you regularly wear claw clips, headbands, or scrunchies, make sure you give them a frequent scrub, too. Anything that's fabric and sits in your hair all day can develop a film that you might not notice until you feel it. You don't want to be putting all that residue back into your clean locks!
11. Your Pillowcase
You know the thing you smush your face into every night? Well, your pillowcase isn't just caked with your dead skin and oils—it also contains hair oils, sweat, and product residue, too, which only gets worse if you have oily hair. If you wonder why you're always breaking out, it could be because you never wash your pillowcase.
12. Your Sunglasses
Sunglasses and glasses wearers should know that your lenses need to be washed. You might give them the occasional wipe with a microfiber cloth, but that only scratches the surface. After all, the nose pads, arms, and areas around the hinges can repeatedly come into contact with makeup, sunscreen, hair products, and skin oils, meaning they can get pretty dirty!
13. Your Earrings
Earrings might get a good rinse every time you shower, but if you're not twisting the posts and using gentle soap, you could end up with irritated lobes. With that said, though, you should make sure to clean them with a method that's safe for the particular metal, jewels, or other materials in your pair to avoid accidentally damaging them.
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14. Your Watch Band
Ever brought your hand close to your face and smelled that sweaty scent? Yeah, it's probably your watch band, which stays pressed against your wrist for most of the day, collecting not only sweat but everyday dirt. We get it: some bands are easily washable, but if you do have a removable band, make sure to give it a good rinse often.
15. Your Reusable Tote Bags
If your reusable tote goes everywhere with you, from the grocery store to the gym, you shouldn't be surprised if it gets pretty rough-looking by the end of the week. Hand-wash it as frequently as you can, or if you're lazy, just toss it in the machine.
16. Your Pajamas
Even if you only wear your pajamas when you've showered and are ready for bed, they can still trap sweat and grime. Of course, you don't need to wash your set every day, not unless you're doing particularly anything strenuous under the sheets, but you should probably still tend to them at least once a week.
17. Your Slippers
Indoor footwear might not encounter sidewalks, but that doesn't mean it stays spotless. Even if your slippers only see clean feet, they can still collect sweat and dust over time. Before you toss them into the machine, though, you'll want to check if the material is best cleaned by hand.
18. Your Bathrobe
You put on your bathrobe immediately after showering, and that routine alone can make you think it stays clean. Don't be fooled: anything that comes into regular skin contact still needs laundering, especially if worn against bare skin. Hanging yours somewhere it can dry fully will also prevent it from staying damp and developing mildew.
19. Your Makeup Bag
After you've tended to your makeup brushes and sponges, you're still not done—you've still got to clean the bag itself. You don't want to put your clean beauty tools back into a grimy pouch! To save yourself the trouble, empty it periodically to get rid of expired or unwanted products, then wipe or wash the bag according to its material.
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20. Your Coat
Because coats are worn over other clothing, it's easy to assume they barely need washing at all. But collars and cuffs still touch your neck and hands, and the pockets, too, can accumulate debris over time. Of course, that's not to say you have to clean your coat all the time, but you should still give it regular, proper attention.
