Quiz: Do I Really Have to Wash This?

According the American Dental Association, it's not necessary to soak your brush in an antibacterial mouthwash. A simple rinse in warm water is good enough, followed by an air dry.

Remote controls are havens for germs, crumbs, dead skin cells, hair and other nasty bits. First, take out the batteries and set aside. Then, use a dry toothbrush to dislodge gunk from around the buttons. Next, mist a clean cloth with a 50/50 mix of water and rubbing alcohol and wipe the whole thing down.

A stinky machine or black spots on clothes, thanks to limescale or soap scum, are both signals that your washing machine is less than clean. Fortunately, that's easy to fix. Just run a rinse or "clean washer" load using hot water and bleach to return it to a pristine state.

No one wants their garbage disposal to smell like, well ... garbage. Clean it once a week by tossing in a cut-up lemon to deodorize, as well as a few ice cubes and a couple of tablespoons of salt to tackle residue.

You're probably washing jeans more than is really necessary or good for the material. Once or twice a month is all they need, but feel free to spot clean as much as necessary. Or toss them in the dryer for a few minutes if they're losing their shape.

Even if your pooch polishes off every scrap of food, the bowl still needs to washed in hot soapy water once a day and dried. Otherwise bacteria will remain that could potentially sicken your pet. That goes for the water bowl too.

Although some bra-wearers swear by the old "sniff test," many lingerie experts advise the "rule of three," which recommends laundering after every three wears. Hand-washing is ideal, but if you must use a washing machine, put the bra in a lingerie bag and use the gentle cycle.

Pillows without protective cases should be washed once a month according to label instructions. If you use a pillow protector, you only need to wash the pillow twice a year.

Although it's technically possible, it's not the best idea to wash shoes in the dishwasher, since detergents are harsh and the high heat can cause plastic parts to melt! Instead, remove laces and insoles and run tennis shoes through the washing machine with a load of towels. Then, set them out to air dry, because the clothes dryer can affect their shape.