How Often You Should Wash Your Sheets

Wondering how often you should wash your bed sheets? Because your bed sheets collect dirt, sweat, oils, and dead skin, they need to be cleaned regularly. Otherwise, this can eventually lead to allergies and other ill effects on your health.

Thankfully, you can keep your bed sheets free of allergens and dust mites by washing them at least once a week. Here, we tell you how often you should wash your sheets, as well as the proper methods of washing sheets and your other bedding

How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets?

As a general rule, people should wash their sheets once a week. If you have pets who sleep on the bed with you, you sleep without clothes, or if you share the bed with someone else, you may want to wash your sheets two times a week.

Cleaning your sheets frequently is also important if you suffer from allergies or respiratory conditions such as asthma. Even a small amount of dust, dead skin cells or dander can trigger allergic reactions.

Regularly cleaning your bed sheets and mattress can limit allergens in your home and help you breathe easier at night. Note that if you spill something or your pet or child has an accident on the fabric, you should wash your sheets as soon as possible to avoid staining and prevent moisture from seeping into your mattress

Why Is It Important to Wash Your Sheets Regularly?

One of the most important reasons for washing your sheets regularly is that this will help you maintain better hygiene and keep you healthy. It will also prevent the buildup of a number of things you don’t want on your bed or on you, for example:

• Dead skin
• Bacteria
• Dirt
• Allergens
• Body oils
• Dust mites
• Pet dander

Because you spend a large amount of time in bed night after night, everything can build up quickly and cause a variety of problems. Allergy symptoms, acne, skin irritation, and eczema are just a few of the negative side effects dirty bed sheets can cause. While you should always get medical advice and a diagnosis from your doctor if you’re experiencing any health issues, cleaning your sheets is a simple act that may also help.

If you’ve been sneezing or sniffling a lot, these are signs that you have bedroom allergies. Read our guide to bedroom allergies to learn what may cause them and how to allergy-proof your bedroom.

How to Wash Bed Sheets

Now that you know how often you should wash your sheets, it’s also important to know HOW to wash your sheets. Depending on the type of sheets you have (i.e. silk versus cotton) will determine how you go about your laundry routine for your bedding.

We recommend checking the manufacturer tag before washing to make sure you clean them properly. Note that failure to follow proper care instructions and wash cycle recommendations may cause issues that shorten the lifespan of your sheets, such as shrinkage and fabric damage. 

Here are other important steps to follow while washing your bed sheets:

• Read the manufacturer tag for cleaning instructions.
• Inspect your sheets for bed bugs. If you find bugs in your bedding, strip your entire mattress and wash your bedding.
• Avoid using chlorinated bleach for the treatment of any sheet stains. Look for color-safe bleach, a.k.a. oxygen bleach, as this will clean your sheets without fading their color. Read our comparisons of different brightening methods for advice on how to whiten your sheets.
• Pre-treat stains. Read our guide on how to remove blood from your sheets for more tips for removing these stubborn stains.
• Use a gentle detergent or soap products that are best suited to wash your sheets’ fabric. This will gently strip them of dirt and spills without damaging the fabric.
• Wash your sheets on a gentle cycle.
• Wash your sheets with cold water, because cold water is better at removing stains.
• Dry sheets on a low heat setting to prevent the material from shrinking.
• Make sure your sheets are completely dry before putting using or storing them.

How Often to Wash Other Bedding

Different kinds of bedding need to be washed at different periods. Now that you are comfortable washing your sheets, the rest of your bedding is just as important. Your pillow and pillowcase, as well as your comforter and any blankets, can collect dust and grime, too. Cleaning your pillows and bedding regularly will help you stay healthy and sleep better.

Here’s how often you should wash bedding other than bedsheets

Upgrade Your Sleep With Purple

One way to assure that you always have clean sheets is by having multiple sets on hand. Purple has several quality options to choose from. Our innovative and luxurious bed sheets help make falling asleep simple. They’re soft, and breathable, and only add to the comfort of your mattress. 

Purple Complete Comfort Sheet Set

The classic cotton feels you love, now with mattress-enhancing two-way stretch. To bring out the full potential of your mattress.

If you want to learn more about cooling sheets and their effectiveness, read our article on cooling sheets to find out if they're right for you.

Purple SoftStretch Sheet Set

Luxuriously soft, stretchy, and cool to optimize the true comfort and support of your mattress.

Not sure if it’s time to get a new pair of sheets? Our articles will walk you through how often you should buy new sheets to help you find the right answers