How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets

Why is cleaning your sheets important?

Bed sheets are sleeping essentials that are pivotal for a good night’s sleep. They serve a variety of purposes, from keeping you warm to making you comfortable throughout your sleeping cycle. And just like most of your daily wear, sheets may amass dirt, dead skin cells, sweat, dust mites, and other bacteria over time.

Dust mites, in particular, are tiny organisms that can cause irritation and skin rashes. They multiply quickly, so if you don’t wash your sheets regularly, your mattress and bed can become home to these pests.

Washing your sheets regularly is crucial, especially for people with asthma or eczema. It is also important for pet owners who allow their furry friends to sleep on their beds.

So, how often should you wash and change your sheets?

As recommended by experts, you should wash bed sheets at least once a fortnight. But if you don’t sleep on your bed every day, you can possibly stretch it once every three weeks.

Some prefer to change sheets once per week, especially if they sweat a lot or if they have skin conditions. And if you have been sick lately, just nestling on your bed all day long, you might need to wash your sleeping essentials more frequently than usual.

In addition, you should take into account your current environment as well as your personal habits. Do you just sleep without taking a shower, or do you love eating midnight snacks on your bed? It could also be that you share a bed with others or your pets.

When you share a bed, this means that the bed and other sleepers get twice the wear—and of course, twice the dirt. Sleeping with your pets is also something to consider, as these adorable four-legged friends easily bring dirt and bacteria into the bed.

To sum it all up, these are key factors that help you decide the frequency of washing the sheets:

• Going to bed without showering
• Sweating a lot
• Having existing allergies or sensitivity to dust
• Sleeping together with your pet
• Eating in bed and other personal habits

While the frequency largely depends on your personal circumstances and preferences, the main thing is that you have to wash sheets regularly to remove microbes and other bacteria.

What are some tips on washing your sheets?

1. Read the care instructions beforehand.

As fabrics come with different properties, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s care tips. Some sheets are more delicate than others. Following the specific care guidelines ensures the comfort of the product and maximizes its lifespan.

2. Separate the sheets from other fabric colors.

Some fabrics may bleed, causing colors to stain your sheet. Also, fabrics with rough textures should be separated to avoid friction that could lead to pilling and damage.

3. Use a gentle wash cycle with lukewarm or cold water.

Bed sheets like bamboo or lyocell are delicate. It’s highly recommended to use water temperatures below 30°C. Hot water may cause severe shrinkage issues.

4. Avoid bleaches and other harsh chemicals.

Bleach can damage delicate fabrics. Use milder cleaning agents like baking soda instead.

5. Tumble dry on low heat or sun-dry.

If you use a dryer, set it on low heat to avoid damaging fabrics. Alternatively, line-dry your sheets. Keep colored sheets out of direct sunlight to prevent fading.

How often should you wash comforters, duvets, and other sleeping essentials?

Aside from bed sheets, keep an eye on other sleeping essentials. Pillowcases should be washed once a week, or more frequently for those with skin concerns.

Comforters and duvets (if using a duvet cover) can be washed once a month or every two months. Deep-clean your mattress at least once a year.

Now that you know when to wash your sheets and other bedding, you can create a cleaning schedule that works for you. There’s nothing more comforting than slipping into fresh, clean sheets!