White goods are household items of two distinctly different groups. Household linens are most commonly referred to as white goods, but the term can also refer to major household appliances, such as the stove and refrigerator, which are often factory-finished in white enamel. It is common to refer to all household linens as white goods, hence the ever-popular department store “White Sale.”

Most people are familiar with their favorite department store White Sale. These sales are given the blanket name “White Sale” because they place their inventory of white goods on sale. Originally, household linens such as sheets, towels, tablecloths, and curtains were made of white cotton or linen fabric. Though modern day White Sales do not limit their repertoire of goods to white sheets and other household linens, they have stuck with the name.

White goods encompass nearly every common household item made of fabric. Sheets, bedspreads, comforters, bath towels, kitchen towels, washcloths, curtains and draperies, and table linens – including table cloths, runners, napkins, and place mats – are all considered white goods. Many retailers categorize other household items, such as bed and throw pillows, as white goods during their sales.

White goods can also be the household appliances that accomplish everyday housekeeping tasks, whether active or passive. White goods in this capacity are all the large, typically electrically powered appliances in the home. The refrigerator, stove, washer, dryer, dishwasher, and water heater can all be called white goods. White goods recycling is the proper and environmental disposal of these appliances.

Note that most retailers do not refer to sales on major household appliances as “White Sales.” If a store happens to sell both household linens and major appliances, they usually distinguish between the two, or may just advertise a “Home Sale” to include sale prices on all household items. Nice as it might be to save 40% on a new washing machine, the next time your favorite department store advertises their semi-annual White Sale, they are probably not offering sale prices on major household appliances, but only on bed sheets and bath towels.