How Often Should You Be Washing Your Bedsheets?

If you were faced with a pile of fungi, bacteria, mold, soil, crumbs, dander, bodily fluids, dead skin cells, dust mites, and excrement, you'd likely hesitate to jump in and roll around. Yet, that's exactly what countless individuals do unknowingly every time they slip into bed.

Surveys have repeatedly shown that many people don't wash their bedsheets often enough (with over half of respondents admitting to washing them only a few times a month or just once per month). While this may be more convenient, it exposes people to harmful germs and pathogens that can lead to serious health risks, such as skin infections, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections.

Dust mites are particularly troublesome as they thrive on dead skin cells, which humans shed at a rate of 500 million per day. If sheets aren't washed often enough, these tiny creatures can continue their life cycle (yuck), potentially triggering allergic reactions or weakening the immune system. This isn't just a concern for the most negligent launderers, as 84 percent of American beds harbor dust mites.

Feeling properly horrified yet? Don't worry, there's no need to panic. Keeping your sheets clean doesn't require constant effort. Most experts suggest washing them weekly to ensure maximum cleanliness and minimize the unpleasant effects.

"Washing once a week is usually enough since we sweat, shed skin cells, and transfer dirt and bacteria to the sheets while we sleep," explains Melissa Maker, author of "Clean My Space: The Secret to Cleaning Better, Faster, and Loving Your Home Every Day" in an email interview. "Our bodies can tolerate some bacteria, but a buildup isn't ideal and can lead to stains and worn fibers. If you've been ill, however, you should wash your sheets more frequently."

Mary Zeitler, consumer scientist with Whirlpool Corporation, suggests washing sheets once a week or every two weeks, "depending on your lifestyle. You might need to wash them more often if you sweat more, during flu and allergy seasons, or if you have pets. This will help reduce allergens and dirt buildup."

How to Care for Sheets

Sheets come in a variety of materials and thread counts, so always check the care label before washing and drying. However, there are a few simple tips to achieve optimal cleanliness: "Washing and drying sheets separately from other items helps prevent them from getting tangled or bunched up," says Zeitler. "Sheets need plenty of space to get thoroughly clean, so avoid overloading the machine."

While it may seem natural to wash and dry sheets on the hottest settings to eliminate any bacteria, this can actually cause more harm than good. Excessive heat can shrink and damage fibers, and worn sheets are more likely to transfer harmful substances to the mattress. "Cotton sheets are best washed in warm or cold water... and for light-colored ones, you may want to add a scoop of oxygen bleach," suggests Maker. "Use the 'less dry' or 'damp alert' setting when drying to avoid shrinking," Zeitler adds. "This also allows you to check if the sheets need to be untangled and put back in."