Well, today we’re going to answer all those questions and more as we discuss how often you should wash different types of sheets.
How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets?
You should wash your sheets at least once a week, and more frequently if you have pets or children. If you're sick or sleeping in the same bed with someone who is, it's best to wash them more often.
Why it’s Important to Wash Your Sheets?
There are several reasons why you should wash your sheets:
- Dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic insects that live in the bedding and can cause allergic reactions, sneezing, and itchy eyes. Bed sheets are a great environment for dust mites to thrive because they’re warm and moist. Because of this, people who have asthma or allergies may find their symptoms worsen when they sleep on dirty sheets.
Allergens
You may find that your sheets are covered in allergens, which could cause a reaction and make you feel itchy. To reduce this problem, wash your sheets at least once a week.
You should also clean the pillows on your bed regularly. Pillows often have skin cells from the previous person who slept on them, so they can be quite dirty!
Skin Care
Your face is the most sensitive part of your body. As you already know, it's also the most exposed and visible. All of this makes it vulnerable to damage from everything from heavy makeup to dirty sheets.
Nice Smell
Your sheets should smell clean, fresh and nice. If they don't, you need to wash them. The best way to tell if your sheets are clean is to smell them—but what does a good sheet smell like? The answer is simple: fresh!
Sheets that have been washed have a light fragrance of laundry detergent plus whatever scents you've added in the washing machine. There's no need for heavy perfumes or other additives when you're washing your own bedding—just stick with what nature intended: clean clothes that smell like laundry!
Better Sleep
You know that feeling of slipping into bed after a long day, feeling the soft sheets on your skin? It's like being wrapped in a hug. But what you may not realize is that clean sheets can help you sleep better and even improve your overall health.
How to Wash Bed Sheets?
Wash bed sheets at least once a week.
Use warm water, but not hot. Most experts recommend using warm or cold water for washing your sheets
What Happens If You Don’t Wash Your Sheets Often?
Dust mites are microscopic organisms that live in the fibers of your sheets, pillows and mattress. They feed on dead skin cells and their droppings can trigger allergies. Dust mite allergens are one of the most common causes of asthma in children and adults alike.
Other Bedding (Washing Frequency)
If you have any other bedding, such as comforters, blankets or pillows, then you should wash them at least once a week. If you don’t wash them regularly, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria and dust mites. These little critters are harmful to your health and make your skin itchy and uncomfortable. By keeping this in mind when buying new sheets for yourself or your family’s bedding needs consider washing everything about once every 7 days to keep things clean!
Pillowcases
Pillowcases should be washed weekly, or after every two uses. Pillowcases can also be machine-washed in cold water on the gentle cycle. You should never wash your pillowcase with sheets because it will get tangled up with them and become damaged, but if you need to do this (for example, if you only have one set of sheets), then make sure that there is no fabric care label on either item before doing so. After washing pillowsheets*, put them in dryer for about 15 minutes on low heat setting.
Duvet Covers
Duvet covers are the easiest thing to wash, and they can be done alone in your washer. Use the gentle cycle and set your dryer on a low heat setting. It's best if you wash duvet covers every 2 weeks, but if your sheets aren't getting enough love, it's okay to go longer than that.
Comforters
If you're wondering how often to wash your comforter, keep in mind that a cotton-filled mattress or pillow sham can be washed every week or two. However, if you have an all-down or synthetic-filled comforter, it should only need to be cleaned once a year.
Blankets
Blankets should be washed once a month. Wash the blanket in warm water and use detergent with bleach (if you want to keep your blanket white). Always dry on low heat for about an hour. This will kill any dust mites living inside your blanket and help prevent any stains from setting in.
Pillows
Pillows are the most difficult fabric to wash because they are filled with down, feathers, or foam. Wash pillows every three months using a gentle cycle and mild detergent.
- To wash in a machine: Remove any zippers or buttons first so they do not get caught on other items that may be washing. If you have an agitator in your machine, make sure it is turned off during this step as well.
- To hand wash: Fill your sink with cool water and add 1 cup of vinegar (this helps get rid of dust mites).
Frequency Asked Questions
Should you wash new sheets?
You should always wash new sheets. Even if they come from the store with that "new sheet smell," washing them for the first time is important for removing any sizing or finishes that may have been applied to the fabric.
How often should you wash your sheets?
The general rule of thumb is to wash your bedding as often as possible so they stay clean and fresh, but there are some exceptions. If it's very cold outside, then it might not make sense to run a load of laundry every night because it would take too much energy (and money).
Should you wash new sheets?
If you are buying new sheets, you should definitely wash them before using. New sheets may have chemicals to keep them fresh and clean, and they may be full of dust or dirt from the factory floor. The reason is that they are often packaged in plastic bags that remain closed while they are being transported.
What setting to wash bed sheets?
If you have a front load washer, use the gentle cycle (cold or warm water) and choose a delicate wash cycle. If your washer has an "eco" feature, use that option instead of the regular detergent. And make sure your fabric softener is free of dyes and perfumes—they can stain sheets over time. But if you're doing a hand-wash, follow these steps:
- Soak in warm water with detergent for 30 minutes before rinsing well in cold water; repeat if necessary
- Add vinegar to rinse water for one minute; repeat if necessary
Can i wash sheets with clothes?
No, you should not wash sheets with clothes. It's easy to see why this is a bad idea: if you're washing clothes in your machine and there are no sheets on the bed, then what's the point? If you do have some dirty clothes that need washing (laundry day is coming!), use a separate load from your clean ones.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a quick answer, the answer is yes. You should wash your sheets every week or so. It can be an overwhelming task if you don’t have time in your life for this chore. But when it comes down to it, how often you wash your sheets depends on how often they get dirty from use
