National Laundry Day: America's Laundry Habits Revealed

• Half of U.S. households complete four or more loads of laundry each week
• Most Americans sort their clothes before washing, a crucial step for preserving garment quality
• ACI has released an updated guide on using laundry softeners and enhancers

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To mark National Laundry Day – April 15 – the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) unveiled new survey findings that shed light on how U.S. households approach laundry. From frequency of washes to preferred products, Americans continue to adapt their habits for efficiency and effectiveness.

“Laundry is an essential part of daily life, and our survey highlights how much Americans value both routine and innovation to keep their clothes clean and fresh,” said Brian Sansoni, ACI’s Senior Vice President of Communications. "Whether sorting, treating stains or selecting the right detergents and fabric enhancers, these habits reflect that doing laundry is a way to care for our clothes and our families."

Laundry Loads: How Often Are Americans Washing?

The survey shows that nearly half of U.S. households (43%) do between one and three loads of laundry per week. An additional 37% report washing four to six loads weekly. Only 5% of households do less than one load, while 10% manage seven to ten loads each week. Just 3% handle more than ten weekly loads, and 1% use laundry services instead of washing at home.

Popular Laundry Practices

Among those who wash their clothes at home, more than half (54%) pre-sort their laundry before washing, and 48% treat stains ahead of time. These essential steps help preserve clothing and keep items looking their best for longer.

When it comes to detergent, liquid leads the way, favored by 55% of U.S. households who do laundry at home, compared to just 6% who use powdered detergent. Unit dose detergents, including packets, pods or sheets, are gaining popularity, with 38% of households opting for these convenient options.

After washing, nearly one-third (29%) dry their laundry on a clothesline or rack, and 19% iron their clothes after drying.

Laundry Enhancers

Laundry routines go beyond detergent: 68% of respondents who do laundry at home use fabric softener or dryer sheets, 44% incorporate laundry sanitizers or bleach and 36% add scent beads or boosters. After washing, 29% use fabric enhancers such as wrinkle release sprays or static guards. To help consumers make informed choices, ACI developed a guide on laundry enhancers.

This National Laundry Day, ACI invites everyone to celebrate their laundry routines and the innovations that make cleaner, fresher clothes possible. For more tips on best laundry practices and product safety, visit www.cleaninginstitute.org/clothes.

About the Survey

This ACI survey was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 18+, between Feb. 4 and Feb. 12, 2026, using an email invitation and an online survey. Data has been weighted to ensure an accurate representation of U.S. adults ages 18+.

Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. For the interviews conducted in this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

American Cleaning Institute

The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI – www.cleaninginstitute.org) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry® and represents the $60 billion U.S. cleaning product supply chain. ACI members include the manufacturers and formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and chemical distributors. ACI serves the growth and innovation of the U.S. cleaning products industry by advancing the health and quality of life of people and protecting our planet. ACI achieves this through a continuous commitment to sound science and being a credible voice for the cleaning products industry.