How often should you change your sheets?

There’s not much of a better feeling than jumping into a freshly made bed after a tough day. A fresh, clean bed is the perfect way to de-stress and enjoy a long restful sleep. But with our busy lives, sometimes things get on top of us and we struggle to find the time to wash the bed sheets, but we must remember it’s important to do so.

You may be wondering just how often should you change your bed sheets? The answer, like so many, depends. In this article, we will dive into this question, hopefully leaving you fully in the knowledge of how often and why you should be washing your sheets.

How often should you change your bed sheets?

You might be surprised, but it’s recommended that you change your sheets once a week. Those that do are in the minority, as according to a poll, only 28% of Brits change their sheets once a week.

A large proportion of us Brits (40%) change our sheets every fortnight while an incredible 24% only change them every three or four weeks!

Bed sheets can accumulate a lot of dirt and grime while you sleep such as dead skin cells. But they can also lay home to dust mites and are invisible to the naked eye.

Factors that require more frequent washing of bed sheets

Our lifestyles play a huge role in how often we need to wash our sheets. Some of us are more active than others. Some people let their pets sleep on their bed.

Here are some factors that may result in the need to wash your sheets more regularly;

You sweat excessively
You sleep naked
You go to bed without showering
You regularly eat in bed
You allow your pets to sleep on your bed
You have allergies and are sensitive to dust
You have an infection that comes into contact with your sheets
You share your bed with a partner

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Negative effects of not washing your sheets regularly

Failing to wash your sheets regularly exposes you to all sorts of nasties such as fungi, bacteria, pollen and animal dander.

You may also find bodily secretions, sweat and dead skin cells within your sheets. While this may not make you sick, it can still bring irritations and could trigger eczema.

People who suffer from asthma and allergies may find their symptoms worsen after a night's sleep in a bed made with dirty sheets. Those people should monitor their symptoms and potentially wash even more frequently than once a week.

How to keep your bed sheets cleaner

To avoid having to wash your sheets more than once a week, you can adhere to a few rules that will keep your sheets fresher for longer.

Shower before bed
Remove all makeup before you go to sleep
Keep all pets off your bed at all times
Refrain from eating and drinking in bed
Avoid naps on your bed after exercise
Remove all dirt and debris off your feet or socks before you climb into bed
Wear pyjamas if they don’t make you too sweaty

What about other bedding?

We’ve given you a run down of what’s best to do with bed sheets, but what about the rest of your bedding?

Pillowcases	Once a week (wash with your bed sheets)
Duvet Covers	Once every 2 weeks
Comforters	Once every 2-3 months
Blankets	Once every 2-3 months
Pillows	Once every 4-6 months (if washable)

Some unique pieces of bedding may require completely different care and washing without that care may damage it. It’s always important to check the manufacturer's care instructions before washing as different materials will require different care.

As for mattresses, we have touched on that topic before by writing an ultimate guide to cleaning any mattress.

In this guide you will find the following sections;