When it comes to how often you wash your sheets, frequency is important. Not only can dirty sheets lead to allergies, but skin problems as well. Besides that, there's just something comforting about sleeping on fresh sheets.
How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets?
Ideally, you should wash and change your sheets weekly. This is true for all different brands and types of sheets. However, this isn't a hard and fast rule. Many factors come into play. For example, if you don't sleep on your mattress every day, or shower before you go to bed, then you might stretch how often you change your sheets to every two weeks. Other factors that may stretch the time to two weeks include:
- Wearing pajamas
- Sleeping in one position
- Not having pets in your bed
- Sleeping alone
What Might Lead to More Frequent Sheet Washing/Changing?
Certain factors lead to the need for more frequent washing. For example, if you sleep naked or go to bed dirty, then consider changing your sheets every few days. Other factors include:
- Allergies
- Sleeping with pets
- Restless sleeper
- Drooling
- Skin problems (acne/eczema)
- Excessive sweating
- Eating in bed
- Season (washing sheets more in warmer months)
What Happens if You Don't Wash Your Sheets?
Now comes the big question, "why do you need to wash your sheets so much?" The short answer is they get gross, fast. You might not realize it, but your sheets take a lot of abuse. Beyond your clothes, they probably come into contact with your skin the most. Would you wear the same outfit for two weeks straight? Probably not. Well, your sheets can get just as dirty as your clothing. Your sheets are teaming with dirt, skin cells, body oil, sweat, drool, and dust mites. And the more dead skin on your bed, the more dust mites, and their fecal matter you are laying in. Gross, right?
Problems From Not Washing Sheets
While you probably aren't going to get sick from letting your sheets go for a bit, Science Daily estimates humans shed 200,000,000 skin cells every hour. That is an all-you-can-eat buffet for dust mites, which could lead to allergy outbreaks and skin outbreaks. Not washing your sheets frequently enough could also expose you to nasty bacteria and fungi.
How Often Should You Wash Your Pillowcase and Other Bedding?
Your bedding is kind of a package deal. Not only do you have sheets, but pillowcases, blankets, etc., that need to be taken care of. Follow this general cleaning schedule for other bedding.
- Pillowcases - wash with sheets (1-2 weeks)
- Comforters and Blankets - 2-3 months
- Duvet covers - 2 months
- Pillows - 4-6 months
- Mattress - 6 months
Again, if you are an excessive sweater, drooler, or prone to allergies, or if your furry companions sleep with you, you want to shorten the duration between cleanings of your bedding.
The Importance of Washing Your Sheets
When it comes to changing and washing your sheets, most Americans aren't doing it enough. In fact, a Mattress Advisor survey of 1,000 people found that most people change their sheets about every three weeks. However, to keep the dust mites at bay, consider doing this weekly or taking a few precautions against a dust mite extravaganza. You also want to consider how you clean and sanitize your laundry to clean your sheets properly. You can also strip your sheets to remove buildup that doesn't come out with regular washing.
