National Laundry Day: America's Laundry Habits Revealed

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 8, 2026--

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.

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“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.

A new American Cleaning Institute 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.

BERLIN (AP) — Liechtenstein 's royal house said on Saturday that the tiny country's rules of succession will be changed so that a woman could in the future inherit the principality's throne.

Hereditary Prince Alois announced the change in his speech marking the country's national day. He said it was approved on Wednesday by the necessary two-thirds majority of family members who can vote on such matters.

“The ability to combine continuity and renewal is also a principle that we foster inside the princely house,” Alois said, according to a text of his remarks posted on the house’s website. “In our centuries-old history, it has served us well to make decisions in a long-term and very well thought-out way.”

“The line of succession will be adjusted from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture,” Alois said. “That means that in the future, the first-born child will, regardless of sex, become the heir to the throne and later the princess or prince of Liechtenstein.”

A statement from the princely house specified that the change will only apply to descendants of the children of Alois and his wife, Hereditary Princess Sophie, who are born in the future — so it won't affect the line of succession for now.

Prince Hans-Adam II remains the head of state, but in 2004 handed over most of his powers to Alois, his eldest son, who is now 58. That was in line with a tradition of Liechtenstein monarchs giving up the reins to their heirs.

The eldest of Alois' four children is 31-year-old Prince Joseph Wenzel. The second-oldest is Princess Marie Caroline, 29.

Liechtenstein, a wealthy nation of 40,000 people that borders Switzerland and Austria, has an unusually powerful monarchy by European standards. The ruling prince has the power to veto referendum results, appoint judges and fire the government.

The principality is traditionally conservative and in 1984 became the last European country to grant women the right to vote in national elections. Male voters narrowly approved the change, which Hans-Adam had backed, in a referendum.

Last year, Brigitte Haas became its first female prime minister.

FILE - Prince Alois of Liechtenstein addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, at the United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)