10 Things That We Clean Too Often and Actually Damage Them

It might sound strange, but cleaning can sometimes do more harm than good. Some things don’t need to be cleaned too often and require special care. Cast iron pans, wooden furniture and even jeans can be ruined if we clean or wash them too much.

Towels

You don’t need to wash your towels every time you use them. It is quite safe to use a towel for a week, as long as you make sure it dries well. Drying your towels will not only save you time on washing them, but it will also keep them in good condition.

Wooden furniture

It turns out that wax-based sprays for wiping down wooden furniture can forge an oily buildup that attracts more dust and dirt when used more than once or twice a month. So if you tend to wipe your furniture every day, it’s best to do it with a dry cloth.

Cast iron pans

You’ve probably washed your cast iron pans with dishwashing detergent more than once. However, this is a big no-no because this detergent can damage cast iron. The right thing to do is to use a solution of coarse kosher salt and water to remove any burnt-on residue. It’s important to let the pan dry after washing because even a few drops of water can cause rust.

You don’t need to wash a cast iron pan too often. If you are able to clean the pan by simply wiping it out, stop there. Having a small amount of oil after cleaning is not a problem.

Mirror

Spraying a glass cleaner on the mirror every day can damage it. Black spots may appear around the edges or even in the middle. It’s best to clean the mirror no more than once a week to avoid these problems.

Stove

Even if you cook daily, there’s no reason to clean the stove thoroughly every day unless it gets really dirty. After all, food doesn’t come into contact with the stove’s surface during cooking and high heat effectively kills germs. It’s okay to wipe the stove down after cooking and clean it once a month.

Sweaters

It’s totally okay to wear a sweater several times before washing it: up to 6 wearings, if worn with an undershirt. Washing woolen clothes too often can damage them, and they will quickly lose their shape.

Jeans

It’s okay to wash jeans after 4–5 wearings. Interestingly, denim manufacturers even recommend washing them only once every 6 months. To keep your jeans fresh, you can put them in the freezer overnight. You can also make a freshening spray of 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, 1/4 cup water and 3 drops of lavender essential oil.

Pajamas

Wash your pajamas about once a week or every 3–4 days if you sweat in your sleep. However, it’s worth noting that if you wear your pajamas all day long, you’ll need to wash them more often. Take a shower before going to bed to keep your pajamas fresh.

Clay teapot

It’s not recommended to wash a clay teapot with a detergent. Clay tends to absorb the flavor of your tea and improves the taste of the drink with each brew. It’s enough to dump out used tea leaves and rinse the teapot with hot water.

Mobile phone

As much as you would like to wipe your phone every day, it’s not necessary to do it. Instead, make it a rule to wash your hands before touching the touchscreen. It’s best to clean your phone with an antibacterial wipe once a week.

Did you know that curtains, for example, need to be washed only once a year? If you want to find out more useful tips on how to take good care of your clothes and home textiles, make sure to read this article.