HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR SHEETS
Is It For You?
Getting a good night’s sleep is about more than just having a comfortable mattress or the right pillow. Your bed sheets play a crucial role in sleep hygiene and overall health. But how often should you wash your sheets to ensure a clean and comfortable sleeping environment?
Let’s take a look at the best washing practices, factors that affect sheet cleanliness, and expert recommendations to keep your bedding fresh.
Table of Contents
Why Washing Your Sheets Regularly Matters
Your bed sheets accumulate sweat, body oils, dust mites, dead skin cells, and bacteria over time. When left unwashed, these can contribute to allergies, skin irritation, and even impact sleep quality. For those with allergies or a compromised immune system, you may even be looking at asthma, upper respiratory issues, and more.
Regular washing helps to:
Maintain skin health
Reduce allergens and irritants
Improve sleep quality
Extend the lifespan of your bedding
How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets?
General Guidelines
Most sleep experts and dermatologists recommend washing your sheets at least once a week. This ensures that dirt, sweat, and bacteria don’t build up to harmful levels. However, some factors come into play here, and may impact how often you should wash your sheets:
Factors That May Affect Washing Frequency
While once a week is a good rule of thumb, certain factors may require you to wash your sheets more or less often. These include:
1. Allergies or Asthma
If you suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions, washing your sheets every 3-4 days can help minimize allergens like dust mites and pet dander.
2. Night Sweats or Hot Sleepers
People who experience night sweats or tend to sleep hot should consider washing their sheets every 3-4 days to prevent sweat and bacteria buildup.
3. Sleeping with Pets
If you allow pets to sleep in your bed, you should wash your sheets twice a week to remove pet hair, dander, and potential allergens.
4. Illness or Skin Conditions
If you’re sick or have skin conditions like acne or eczema, washing your sheets every 2-3 days can help prevent bacteria from worsening the condition.
5. Sleeping Naked
If you sleep without pajamas, you may need to wash your sheets every 3-4 days, as there is direct contact between your skin and the fabric.
Best Practices for Washing Your Sheets
Choosing the Right Detergent
We always recommend using a mild, fragrance-free detergent, especially if you have sensitive skin. Harsh chemicals and their residues from laundry day, can irritate your skin and affect your sleep quality.
Water Temperature Matters
Washing sheets in hot water (130°F or higher) helps kill bacteria and dust mites. However, if your sheets are made of delicate fabrics like silk or bamboo, check the care label for the recommended temperature. Often, washing on cold will work out just fine, especially if you stick to cleaning your sheets weekly.
Drying Your Sheets Properly
High Heat: Helps eliminate allergens but may wear out fabric faster and contribute to shrinking. While it is best if you have allergies, we personally steer clear of high heat.
Low Heat/Air Dry: Extends the lifespan of your sheets but takes longer.
Adding Wool Dryer Balls: Reduces drying time and softens fabric naturally.
How Often To Wash Other Bedding Items?
While washing your sheets weekly is essential, don’t forget about other bedding items:
Pillowcases: Every 2-3 days, or at the very least weekly with your sheets
Blankets & Comforters: Every 4 weeks (every 2 weeks if you use them directly without a top sheet or comforter cover)
Pillows: Every 3-6 months. We recommend using a pillow protector around your pillow if you are prone to allergies and other ailments.
Mattress Protectors: Every 1-2 months
Signs It’s Time to Wash Your Sheets
Even if you follow a washing schedule, certain signs indicate it’s time for a fresh set of sheets:
Visible stains or discoloration
Unpleasant odors
Increased allergy symptoms
Itchy or irritated skin
How to Keep Your Sheets Fresher for Longer
If you want to extend the time between washes, consider:
Showering before bed to reduce sweat and dirt transfer.
Using a top sheet to protect your fitted sheet and comforter.
Investing in high-quality, breathable sheets to minimize bacteria buildup. We prefer bamboo sheets, but eucalyptus and organic cotton are good too.
Rotating between multiple sets of sheets to always have a clean pair ready.
- Use a fan to reduce your A/C power bill and limit sweating.
How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets - Final Thoughts
Keeping your sheets clean isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about improving your overall sleep hygiene and health. By washing your sheets regularly, you create a cleaner, healthier sleeping environment, ensuring better rest and well-being.
So, how often should you wash your sheets? Ideally once a week, but factors like allergies, pets, and sweat may require more frequent washes. By following the best practices outlined in this guide, you can enjoy fresh, comfortable, and hygienic sleep every night.
References
- Cleveland Clinic. (2023). How Often Should You Wash Your Bed Sheets. Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-often-should-you-wash-your-bed-sheets
- USA Today. (2024). How often should you wash your sheets? The answer might surprise you. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2024/05/30/how-often-should-you-wash-your-sheets/73646184007/
- NY Times. (2024). How Often You Should Wash Your Sheets (And How to Get Them Really Clean). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-often-you-should-wash-your-sheets/
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Ideally, you should wash your sheets once a week to maintain cleanliness and prevent bacteria buildup.
If you don’t sweat much and use a top sheet, you might extend washes to every two weeks, but weekly is best for hygiene.
Dirty sheets can lead to allergies, skin irritation, dust mite buildup, and even worsen respiratory conditions.
Yes, pillowcases should be washed every 2-3 days since they come into direct contact with your face and hair.
Shower before bed, use a top sheet, rotate between multiple sheet sets, and let your bed air out each morning.
More Sleep Resources
How often should you wash your sheets?
Ideally, you should wash your sheets once a week to maintain cleanliness and prevent bacteria buildup.
Can I wash my sheets less often?
If you don’t sweat much and use a top sheet, you might extend washes to every two weeks, but weekly is best for hygiene.
What happens if you don’t wash your sheets regularly?
Dirty sheets can lead to allergies, skin irritation, dust mite buildup, and even worsen respiratory conditions.
Should I wash my pillowcases more often than sheets?
Yes, pillowcases should be washed every 2-3 days since they come into direct contact with your face and hair.
What’s the best way to keep sheets fresh between washes?
Shower before bed, use a top sheet, rotate between multiple sheet sets, and let your bed air out each morning.
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Laura Georgieff
Laura is a mother of three who did not sleep through the night for the first 5.5 years of her kids' lives. She is passionate about sleep quality and loves sharing her experience and knowledge of all thing bedding! It is her mission to help you make the best decisions when it comes to sleep and help you get the best deal on the market!
