How Often You Should Wash Your Bras, Sheets & Body

Adulting is hard. Just when you think you’re doing OK, science pops up to tell you that you’re doing it all wrong.

Inspired by Buzzfeed’s recent article about proper showering technique, I have compiled a list of all the hygiene-related things you should be doing if you want to call yourself a responsible member of society.

We’re covering everything from how often you should wash your bath towels to how often you should wash yourself.

Don’t be discouraged if you’ve been getting some of these wrong your entire life; there’s always time to change.

And just to prove to you that you’re not the only one whose hygiene habits are now suddenly questionable, I’m going to include my personal guesses before the actual answers.

Question #1: How often should you wash your bath towels?

My guess: Every few weeks.

Real Answer: Every few days.

Yikes, was I wrong. According to Good Housekeeping, you should swap out your bath towels every three uses (those are the ones you use to dry yourself off with after a shower). However, hand towels need to be changed out more often than that — every day or two. Somebody point me to the nearest Bed Bath & Beyond, because clearly the three sets of towels I own are just not cutting it.

Question #2: How often should you change your sheets?

My guess: Once a week.

Real answer: Once a week.

I should note here that even though I know I’m supposed to change my sheets weekly, I actually do it on a monthly basis. Gross, I know. But the good news is that you only need to wash mattress covers and pillow liners every few months, and you only need to wash the pillows themselves one to two times a year. I think that, even if no human can wash their sheets every week, we can all handle an annual pillow wash. Right?

Question #3: How often should you shower?

My guess: Every day, duh.

Real answer: Every two to three days.

Yep, you read that correctly. Two dermatologists told BuzzFeed Life that Americans shower way too often, and you only really need to do so once every two or three days. That might sound gross (I can’t imagine what I would smell like if I didn’t shower for three days), but here’s why: Showering too often, especially with hot water, can make your skin dry and irritated, wash away good bacteria, and introduce small cracks that open you up to infection. Well, now at least I don’t have to feel bad about not getting out of my warm, toasty bed to jump in the freezing shower. Everybody wins.

Question #4: How often should you wash your hair?

My guess: Eh, I don’t know, I wash it every day, because otherwise my waves just go limp, but I know you don’t have to do it that often.

Real answer: It varies, but definitely not every single day.

I turned to the ultimate source in overthinking everyday things, WebMD, to tackle this issue. Nick Arrojo (my favorite hairdresser whom I’ve never actually been to) asserts that “shampooing three or four times a week is plenty.” Dermatologists agree that you really don’t need to shampoo every day. They say that the longer, thicker, curlier, and/or processed your hair is, the longer you can go between washes. Even people with straight, unprocessed, and thin hair can go a day between shampoos. So basically, it’s up to your discretion, but you really only need to wash your hair every day if it’s super oily (and it might be super oily because you’re washing it too much).

Question #5: How often should you wash your bras?

My guess: Every two to three uses (not that I actually abide by this guess at all).

Real answer: Every three to four wears

I’ll be honest (again): I definitely do not wash my bras half as often as I should. That’s probably pretty grimy, but I wear bras every day, so I can never wash them all at once. Plus, you have to put them through the delicate cycle inside one of those little mesh bags, and who has the time for that? But that doesn’t change the fact that, ideally, you should wash your bra every three or four wears. More things you might not know about caring for your bras: Never wear the same one two days in a row (to give the elastic time to stretch back) and give at least 24 hours of breathing room before you wear it again. Well now I just feel like a monster.

If You Open a Watermelon and See This

If You Open a Watermelon and See This …Throw It Out

Cutting into a watermelon is usually a refreshing moment — bright red flesh, sweet aroma, and plenty of juice. But if you slice one open and notice foam bubbling or oozing from the inside, stop immediately and throw it away. This isn’t a harmless oddity. It’s a clear warning sign that the watermelon has begun to ferment and spoil, and eating it could be dangerous.

Why Foaming Watermelon Is a Red Flag

Watermelon is naturally high in sugar, which makes it especially vulnerable to bacteria and yeast. When these microorganisms infiltrate the fruit, they feed on the sugars and begin a fermentation process. As this happens, gases like carbon dioxide build up inside the melon.

Eventually, that pressure needs to escape. When it does, the gas mixes with liquid inside the fruit and pushes out as foam or bubbling liquid through cracks in the flesh or rind. Essentially, the watermelon has turned into a small fermentation chamber.

Food safety experts warn that consuming fermented watermelon may expose you to harmful pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, or, in rare but severe cases, toxins associated with botulism. The most dangerous part is that the spoilage often starts internally, meaning the rind can look perfectly normal while the inside is already unsafe.

Other Signs Your Watermelon Has Gone Bad

Foam is one of the most obvious indicators, but it’s not the only one. Watch for these warning signs:

Sour or unpleasant smell: Fresh watermelon should smell lightly sweet, never sharp or acidic.
Slimy or mushy texture: Flesh that feels slippery or overly soft is breaking down.
Fizzy or tingling taste: A carbonated sensation points to active fermentation.
Dark or sunken spots: Discoloration or depressions inside the fruit often signal decay.
Cracks in the rind: These openings allow bacteria and air to enter, speeding spoilage.

If you notice any of these, it’s best to play it safe and discard the melon.

How Heat Makes Things Worse

Hot weather dramatically increases the risk of watermelon fermentation. Heat accelerates bacterial growth and metabolic activity, meaning spoilage can happen quickly — sometimes before there’s any visible external damage. In extreme cases, pressure buildup inside the melon can even cause it to crack or burst when you try to cut it.

To slow this process:

Store whole watermelons in a cool place or refrigerate when possible
Refrigerate cut watermelon immediately
Consume cut pieces within a few days

How to Protect Yourself

A few simple precautions can reduce your risk of spoiled fruit:

Inspect before cutting: Avoid melons with soft spots, cracks, or damp areas.
Wash the rind: Rinse thoroughly under running water before slicing to prevent contamination.
Use clean tools: Always cut with a clean knife on a clean surface.
Check after cutting: Look, smell, and sample a small piece before eating.
Refrigerate promptly: Store leftovers wrapped and chilled below 4°C (39°F).
Dispose safely: Seal spoiled melons in a bag before throwing them away to prevent leaks.

The Bottom Line

Foaming inside a watermelon is not something to ignore. It’s a sign that the fruit is actively breaking down and may contain harmful microbes. Even if some sections appear normal, once fermentation begins, the entire watermelon is unsafe. When it comes to food safety, it’s always better to throw it out than risk getting sick.

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