How Often You Should Be Washing Your Bed Sheets

Most sleep experts agree that washing your sheets once per week is sufficient. With a weekly wash, you can remove any body oils, sweat, dead skin, and dust mites that may have accumulated since the last wash.

On average, we spend over 50 hours sleeping in bed each week, so it is no surprise that clean sheets are essential for good sleep hygiene. But how often should you strip your bed sheets and wash them? The short answer is that it depends on several factors, from your habits to the type of bedding you own.

This article will dive into all the details about how often you should wash your sheets and what factors to consider when creating your laundry schedule. We’ll also explore how to care for high-quality sheets, why some fabrics soften over time, and best practices for washing a range of bedding items. Let’s get started!

How Often Should the Typical Person Wash Their Sheets?

Most sleep experts, including those at the Sleep Foundation, agree that washing your sheets once per week is sufficient. With a weekly wash, you can remove any body oils, sweat, dead skin, and dust mites that may have accumulated since the last wash.

While washing your bedding once a week is generally recommended for regular sleepers, there are situations where you might extend that timeframe to every two weeks. For instance, if you’re traveling or have a spare bedroom that’s not being used, you may not need to wash your bedding weekly.

Conversely, there are also times when washing more frequently than once a week is advisable. Read on to explore other factors that can influence how often you should wash your bedding.

What Lifestyle Factors Influence Washing Frequency?

Your personal habits can really influence how often you need to wash your sheets. Here are some friendly tips to consider:

• Night Sweating: If you find yourself waking up sweaty, those damp sheets can become a cozy home for bacteria. In this case, try to wash your sheets every 3 to 4 days to keep things fresh and clean.
• You Experience Allergies or Sensitive Skin: If you have allergies or sensitivities, clean sheets can make a world of difference. They help reduce flare-ups and irritations. For folks with eczema or acne, washing your sheets twice a week might be a good idea.
• Sharing Your Bed with Pets: While most love cuddling with their furry friends at night, hair, dander, and other dirt can pile up faster because of it. If you are someone who shares their bed with a pet, aim to wash your sheets twice a week to minimize pet-related stains.

By adjusting your laundry routine to fit your lifestyle, you can enjoy cozy, fresh sheets without overwashing. It’s all about finding that balance for your comfort!

Can Washing Nice Sheets Too Often Shorten Their Lifespan?

Certain luxury bed sheets, including high-thread-count or silk varieties, can wear out more quickly with excessive washing. To extend their lifespan and maintain their comfort, it’s important to adhere to a set of delicate washing guidelines. Here are some tips to ensure your nice sheets last longer:

• Use Cold or Warm Water: Unless the care tag specifically suggests otherwise, stick to cold or warm water. Lower temperatures are not only effective for cleaning but also help preserve the fabric’s quality.
• Choose a Gentle Detergent: Opt for a mild, pH-neutral detergent that’s free from optical brighteners and bleach to keep your sheets in good condition.
• Skip Bleach and Fabric Softeners: These products can break down fiber over time, so it’s best to avoid them.
• Air-Dry or Use Low Heat: High-heat dryers can weaken the fabric, so consider line-drying your sheets or using a low-temperature setting when you put them in the dryer.

These guidelines ensure you protect your sheets during the cleaning process so you can enjoy your favorite bed sheets for longer.

Do Sheets Feel Softer the More You Wash Them? Which Fabrics Benefit Most

Yes, it’s true—some fabrics become more comfortable and softer after a few washes. This is especially true for fabrics like linen, percale, combined cotton, and Jersey knit. For these fabrics, the stiff fibers break down a bit, softening them and creating a more desirable texture.

That said, ultra-smooth sateen weaves or silk blends may not gain the same “broken-in” texture and can degrade if overwashed. To protect your sheets, always balance the desire for softness with care guidelines to avoid unintended wear.

General Washing Tips For Sheets Beyond Care Instructions

Beyond following the care label attached to your sheets, there are a few extra laundry hacks you should consider implementing into your sheet-care routine. Follow these bonus guidelines for the optimal washing experience:

• Wash Your Sheets Separately: Launder sheets on their own to prevent zippers or buttons from snagging.
• Rotate Your Sheets: By owning 2-3 sets of bed sheets, you can rotate them between washes, decreasing the number of washes per set.
• Avoid Fabric Softeners & Dryer Sheets: These can leave residue that reduces moisture-wicking properties and breathability, especially problematic for performance or bamboo-based fabrics.
• Add White Vinegar Occasionally: A half-cup of distilled white vinegar in the rinse cycle helps remove detergent buildup and restore natural softness.

How Often Should You Wash These Bedding Types?

Your bedding is made up of more than just the sheets. If you are supposed to wash your sheets once a week, how often should you be washing the comforter and the rest of the ensemble? Let’s break down the average suggested wash frequency for the other components that make up your bed set:

• Comforters or Top Quilts: Wash or professionally launder every 2–4 months. If you use a duvet cover, clean the cover monthly and the insert seasonally (every 3–4 months).
• Sleeping Pillows: Wash pillow covers weekly, and pillow inserts every 2–3 months. Memory foam or specialty pillows often require spot cleaning or professional cleaning.
• Decorative Pillows: Remove and wash covers monthly; fluff or spot-clean inserts as needed. Dry-clean any delicate fabrics per tag instructions.
• Pillowcase Liners: Treat these like sheet sets and launder weekly or more often if you have severe allergies or a skin condition.
• Mattress Protectors/Toppers: Wash protectors every 1–2 months; toppers, depending on use and spill risk, every 3–4 months. Waterproof covers benefit from a quick monthly rinse to maintain breathability.

You can follow these schedules and the advice in this guide to ensure a continuously clean and fresh bed set. For professional assistance with bed sheets, comforters, quilts, and specialty bedding, explore CD One Price Cleaners’ expert services or learn more about laundry care on our Fabric of Life blog. Here’s to better sleep—one load at a time!