{"id":15853,"date":"2020-07-06T18:09:40","date_gmt":"2020-07-07T01:09:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sleepjunkie.com\/?p=15853"},"modified":"2023-11-22T16:07:09","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T23:07:09","slug":"how-often-should-you-wash-sheets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sleepjunkie.com\/how-often-should-you-wash-sheets\/","title":{"rendered":"How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets?"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to a scientific study<\/a>, you should wash your sheets once a week in hot water. The study was designed to find inexpensive, practical ways to lower dust mite allergens levels in homes.<\/p>\n

Dust mites<\/a>\u00a0are tiny pests invisible to the naked eye. They feed on skin flakes and human or pet dander. A dust mite\u2019s fecal matter\u00a0contains proteins that can cause an allergic reaction<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Weekly washings might seem excessive to those of us who wash our bed sheets<\/a>\u00a0every two weeks or even once a month and still sleep comfortably. However, think about it this way: You wouldn\u2019t want to wear the same clothes for more than a week without washing them. Why would you hold different standards for your sheets, which we essentially wear as a second set of clothes when we sleep through the night?<\/p>\n

You might need to wash your sheets more often if you spend a lot of time outside before bed, don\u2019t shower after a workout, or you experience a flare-up of allergy symptoms. During the summer, when\u00a0many of us sweat during warmer nights, our bedding might need changing every two days.<\/p>\n

You should also wash your bed sheets when you fall ill. Cleaning dirty sheets keep your mattress and bedding from becoming a hotbed of germs<\/a>\u00a0and spreading disease.<\/p>\n

Exceptions to the Weekly Washing Rule<\/h2>\n

For the most part, all of your bed linens should be washed once a week. That includes blankets, top sheets, and fitted sheets.\u00a0However, there are some bedding items that you should wash less often, or rarely, more than once a week.<\/p>\n

Because pillowcases can absorb a lot of dead skin cells, sweat, and other debris, some experts recommend<\/a>\u00a0changing your pillowcase twice or even three times a week. Instead of running a midweekly load, you might want to double up on pillowcases and wash them weekly with the rest of your bedding.<\/p>\n

Even the best pillows<\/a>\u00a0should be cleaned at least every six months. Machine washable pillows are the easiest to take care of, but you can freshen up a non-washable pillow with a sprinkling of baking soda.<\/p>\n

Mattress pads and protectors don\u2019t need to be washed every week because a lot of dirt, dust, and debris settles on the sheets covering them. Remove them once a month for a good cleaning and to eliminate dust mite attractors. If you use a pillow protector, you should also wash it once a month.<\/p>\n

A duvet or comforter<\/a> can be spared from a weekly washing if you keep it inside a duvet cover. Wash the cover every week with the rest of your bedding and wash the duvet insert once a season.<\/p>\n

If you have a bed skirt<\/a> or a canopy, you will want to eventually wash those items, too. If you regularly vacuum around them, you shouldn\u2019t have to wash them more than every three to six months.<\/p>\n

Many people like to keep two or three sets of sheets on hand so they don’t have to immediately wash their sheets. You fold up your fitted sheets<\/a>, flat sheets, spare pillowcases and other items and keep them in a closet or storage container.<\/p>\n

How Do I Wash My Sheets?<\/h2>\n

Most of us probably have an idea of how to clean our sheets with a washing machine. The question is, are you washing your sheets in the most effective way you can?<\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

For best results, you should wash your sheets at the hottest temperature they can reasonably stand. Hot temperatures kill bacteria and dust mites, though the best temperature will depend on the sheets\u2019 material. For example, you should usually wash polyester bedding in warm water, while cotton sheets<\/a>\u00a0can withstand higher temperatures.<\/p>\n

Before you purchase a set of sheets, see if you can find out their care instructions. Not all sheets are machine washable, so it\u2019s important to ask yourself if you are willing to invest a lot of upkeep in a set of sheets.<\/p>\n

You should wash new sheets before you place them on your mattress. Even if you buy pre-washed sheets or the care label doesn\u2019t say that you have to wash before first use, it\u2019s always smart to make sure you\u2019re putting clean sheets on your bed. Washing your sheets first can eliminate any lingering production smells or dissolve chemicals that are brushed on the bedding so it looks beautiful in its packaging.<\/p>\n

Other Ways to Keep Your Sheets Clean<\/h2>\n

If you want to avoid washing your sheets more than once a week, you\u2019ll have to minimize the debris and other stuff that can settle on your bed. Maintain your sheets\u2019 cleanliness by:<\/p>\n