How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets
Share
Fact checked
Reviewed by experts
Writers at Sleep Authority are supported by a research team conducting in-depth research about the topics. The editorial team reviews them for accuracy and facts to ensure the most authentic and accurate content is published. Sleep Authority does not offer any medical advice, and you should not rely solely on our content for your course of treatment. Consult your medical professional to discuss any health concerns, chronic conditions, treatment options, or diagnoses.
Updated
December 27, 2022
Quick read
3 mins to read
List of Content
We spend more than 60 hours in our bed every week. Imagine the sweat, dirt, and oil your bedsheet gets from that. For bedding, hygiene is extremely crucial. Dirty sheets can lead to breakouts, allergies, and skin problems. As per a study, an average person changes their bed sheet in 24 days. It should be quicker than that. It’s essential to clean your sheets, but how often should you wash your sheets?
How Often Should You Wash Your Bed Sheets
Now comes the tricky question, how often to wash sheets?
You should wash your sheets at least once a week. Add this task to your weekly planner to build this habit. Buy a few extra sheets so that it’s easier to swap. It’s good to wash your sheets once a week, but how often to wash bed sheets depends on various factors.
- How quickly do they get dirty?
- The time you spend on your bed
- Do you eat on your bed?
For instance, if you travel a lot and are not using your bed every night, you don’t have to wash the bed sheet that frequently.
On the other hand, if you sleep with your pet on the bed or sweat during sleep, you have to wash the sheets sooner.
If you have allergies, you might need to wash the sheet in 3 to 4 days.
If you cannot wash your sheets daily for some reason, here are a few things you can try:
- Take a bath before bedtime to reduce the oil, sweat, or dirt.
- Avoid sleeping with your dog on the bed.
- Avoid eating on the bed.
- Own many sets of bedsheets.
Importance of Washing Sheets Regularly
Washing sheets frequently is a lot of work, but it’s worth it. A bed sheet can accumulate:
- Dirt
- Body Oils
- Sweat
- Dead Skill Cells
- Germs
- Dust Mites
Dust mites are common in households. They won’t bite you but can worsen skin allergies, cause rashes and irritation. You cannot see these things on your bed sheet, but it’s worse for your skin health. Washing sheets regularly can help you get rid of dust mites.
How to Wash Sheets
Now that you know the importance of washing sheets let’s learn how to wash sheets in easy steps.
- Read the product label carefully. Pay attention to the special instructions.
- Use water temperature as mentioned in the label.
- Use a gentle detergent to machine wash.
- You can rinse the sheets twice to completely get rid of the detergent if you have sensitive skin.
- Dry the sheets.
As washing and drying the sheets is a time-consuming process, you can keep multiple sets of bedsheets to use when required.
How Often to Wash Other Bedding
You know how often you should change your sheets, but how often do you wash bedding?
Washing additional bedding is essential as well for hygiene. Read the instructions given carefully on the label. You should clean your mattress every five to six months to make it last longer. It’s advisable to change your mattress every 6 to 8 years.
Duvet covers, blankets, and comforters need to be washed frequently as they do not directly contact your skin. Here is a table to know how often these things should be cleaned.
| Bedding | How Often Should Be Washed |
|---|---|
| Pillowcases | Once in 7 days |
| Pillows | Once every 5-6 Months |
| Duvet Covers | Once every 2 to 4 weeks |
| Blankets | Once every 2-3 months |
| Comforters | Once every 2-3 months |
Conclusion
It’s essential to keep your bed sheets clean. Dust and dust mites can be worse for your skin. It’s advisable to clean your sheets at least once a week.
FAQs
Yes, you should wash new sheets. As sheets are made in dusty factories and are made with dyes and chemicals that can irritate your skin or eyes, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Bed Sheets should be replaced in 2 to 3 years if they are of standard quality.
This website does not offer medical advice nor professional medical services; rather, it is provided solely for educational, informational, and/or entertainment purposes. Individuals seeking medical advice should consult a licensed physician. The information provided should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any condition, disease, or injury. When you have a medical condition, you should always talk to licensed doctor or other certified medical professional. You should never delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment based on the contents of this website. Call 911 or immediately go to the nearest emergency room if you think you may have a medical emergency. The contents of this website are provided “as-is”, Sleep Authority and its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, contributors disclaim any warranty of the information contained herein. Please contact using contact form to report any errors, omissions, misinformation, or abuse.
Sleep Authority is brought to you by Resident, the company that brings you Nectar, DreamCloud, Awara, Wovenly, Bundle, Home Well Designed and Level Sleep.