Buzz
Keeping your sheets clean is no small task. Even with the most luxurious sheets, that freshly laundered feel tends to fade after just a few nights of rest, no matter how often (or, let's be honest—how rarely) you wash them.
There are laundry guidelines for nearly every type of fabric in your home—sports bras and jeans included—but the rules get hazy when it comes to washing bedding. So, how frequently should you wash your sheets? We asked the experts for their take.
When to Replace Your Sheets
As a general guideline, Tricia Rose, founder of Rough Linen, suggests washing your sheets every week to maintain their freshness and scent—whether they're silk or sateen sheets.
"Once a week is the norm," says Rose. "It mostly comes down to personal preference, but the best time to wash your sheets is when they no longer feel fresh to you."
Shelby Harris, MD, suggests a slightly more cautious approach. "Washing sheets regularly, or roughly every one to two weeks, is recommended to keep them clean and ensure a healthy sleep environment," says Harris.
| Ideal Washing Frequency for All Bedding | |
|---|---|
| Fitted and top sheet | Once a week or bi-weekly |
| Pillowcases | Once a week |
| Duvet covers | Once a week if you don't use a top sheet. Once a month if you do. |
| Comforters | Once a week if you don't use a top sheet. Once a month if you do. |
| Duvet inserts | Every 3 months |
| Weighted Blanket | Every 3 months (If over 20 pounds, bring to a laundromat.) |
| Mattress pad | Every 3 to 4 months |
| Pillow inserts | Every 3 to 4 months |
Why You Should Wash Your Pillowcases More Frequently
Dermatologist Rachael Nazarian, MD, advises that pillowcases should be washed along with your sheets—and at least once a week. If you're washing your sheets every two weeks, be sure to remove and wash your pillowcases separately in the meantime.
Rachael Nazarian, MD
"Regularly washing bedsheets is crucial, but it's especially important to clean our pillowcases, as they come into contact with many parts of our body and can transfer bacteria and oils to sensitive areas like our eyelids, blocking glands and causing irritation and inflammation."
"While we sleep, oils from our hair transfer from the pillowcase to our face, along with sweat, bacteria, and even saliva. This buildup can irritate the skin, contribute to acne, and even lead to infections," explains Nazarian.
For those who don't wash their hair daily, Nazarian mentions, "Environmental pollutants, free radicals, dirt, oils, and hair products cling to your hair and get transferred to your face and body, accelerating skin aging."
For more fragile silk pillowcases, it's best to use a mesh laundry bag and wash them on a gentle cycle with cold water.
Factors to Keep in Mind for Washing Less Frequently
The weekly or bi-weekly washing recommendation is just a guideline and can be adjusted to fit your personal routine. Below are other factors to consider when determining the best laundry schedule for your home.
Hygiene Practices
How often you wash your sheets depends on the season and your daily habits. For instance, whether you shower in the morning or evening plays a role—if you shower at night, your sheets are likely to be cleaner than someone who showers first thing in the morning.
Sweating is another key factor. "How much you sweat and what you wear to bed will influence how quickly your bedding becomes dirty," Rose explains. If you tend to sleep hot and haven’t invested in cooling sheets, you may need to wash your sheets weekly rather than bi-weekly.
Number of People and Pets Sharing the Bed
How many people are sharing the bed? "If you're sharing, the bed experiences double the wear," says Rose. In addition to human sleepers, if your furry companion—dog or cat—joins you, their hair, dander, odor, and any dirt they carry can create unsanitary conditions for your sheets. If you share your bed, wash your sheets more often than once every two weeks.
As tempting as it may be to snack in bed, avoid eating where you sleep. Crumbs can dirty your sheets and attract unwanted pests into your bedroom.
Type of Bedding Material
Think about the fabric you're sleeping on. Cotton and bamboo sheets require different care than linen. Linen doesn't need to be washed as frequently as cotton because it’s naturally resistant to dirt and can easily be cleaned with a shake or a quick brush. If you have linen sheets, don’t sweat a lot, and aren’t sharing the bed with pets or kids, you can get by with changing sheets every other week.
What Are the Risks of Not Washing Your Sheets Regularly?
Skipping laundry day every now and then isn't a big deal, but letting it slide too often can cause problems. Sheets that aren't washed regularly can become a breeding ground for health issues.
According to allergist and immunologist Purvi Parikh, MD, "If you neglect to wash your sheets, they can collect dirt, skin cells (which dust mites thrive on), dust mites, and mold. This can trigger allergies, asthma, skin infections, and acne." Yikes. Harris also mentions it can cause sleep disruptions, fungal growth, and even bed bug infestations.
While severe consequences are rare, it’s safer to stick to a regular washing schedule that works for you. "Frequent washing eliminates allergens, bacteria, and irritants, promoting a cleaner sleep environment and overall health," says Harris.
How Often Should You Wash the Rest of Your Bedding?
Your sheets aren't the only bedding that requires regular care. Items like duvets, mattress pads, and comforters also need cleaning to ensure their longevity and effectiveness.
Duvet Covers
When it comes to duvet covers, Rose recommends not washing them too often, as they don’t receive as much wear as sheets (and putting them back on can be quite the hassle). "Duvets take some effort to change, so washing them less frequently spares you that inconvenience," she says. If you use a top sheet, washing the duvet cover once a month should suffice.
Mattress Pads
Because mattress pads sit under the fitted sheet, they don’t need to be cleaned as often, typically about once every three months. Keep in mind that frequent washes, especially for heated mattress pads, may cause them to wear out faster.
Comforters
Your comforter is the one bedding item that can be washed the least often. When cleaning your comforter, you have two choices: either use your washing machine or take it to the dry cleaner.
For down comforters, you can wash them as frequently as your sheets if you don’t use a top sheet. If you do, washing it once a month should be enough. Just ensure your washer and dryer are large enough to handle it. For other materials like wool, cashmere, or silk, dry cleaning a few times a year is recommended.
If you're sick, be sure to wash all your bedding—even if it was recently cleaned—to help prevent the spread of illness in your household.
