How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets? Experts Settle the Debate Once and for All
We all have different habits when it comes to washing our sheets. Some of us religiously change them every Sunday, while others can go weeks without even thinking about it. But what is the right answer? How often should we actually be washing our sheets? Well, according to experts, it’s a lot more frequent than you might think.
A recent survey conducted by Mattress Advisor revealed that the average time between sheet changings or washings in the U.S. is 24 days, or every 3 1/2 weeks. However, the same survey also found that unwashed sheets are considered “gross” after 35 days. While some may find these statistics acceptable, experts beg to differ.
Dermatologist Alok Vij, MD, suggests that people should wash their sheets at least every two weeks. However, he also notes that certain factors may require more frequent washing. If you have pets, live in a hot climate, sweat a lot, are recovering from illness, have allergies or asthma, or sleep naked, it’s recommended to wash your sheets even more often.
The reason behind this recommendation lies in the fact that we constantly shed dead skin cells. When we roll over in bed, our skin rubs against the sheets, causing these dead skin cells to slough off. Additionally, we sweat during sleep, which also ends up on our sheets. Combine this with dander, dust mites, and dirt that we carry around with us, and it’s clear that our sheets can become quite dirty in a short period of time.
While some may argue that showering before bed and wearing clean pajamas can extend the time between sheet washings, most experts agree that a weekly sheet cleaning is ideal. The New York Times consulted five books about laundry and cleaning habits, and all of them recommended washing sheets once a week. So, if you’re currently on a monthly sheet washing schedule, it might be time to step up your game.
But what about the rest of your bedding? According to Sleep.com, washing your duvet cover once a week is recommended if you don’t use a top sheet. However, if you do use a top sheet, you can go a couple of weeks longer on the duvet cover. As for blankets, comforters, and duvet inserts, they should be washed every three months. Decorative blankets and quilts that aren’t used regularly only need to be washed once a year.
Now, let’s talk about pillows. Pillowcases should be washed along with your sheets on a weekly basis. However, the pillows themselves should be washed every three to six months. While washing pillows can be a bit of a hassle, it’s important because they can harbor bacteria from sweat, saliva, and skin cells.
Lastly, let’s not forget about the mattress itself. Home influencers on TikTok have popularized the practice of sprinkling baking soda on the mattress, brushing it into the fibers, and then vacuuming it out. According to Architectural Digest, leaving the baking soda on the mattress for at least a few hours, preferably overnight, is recommended. Some people even add a few drops of essential oil to give their mattress a pleasant scent.
If all of this sounds like too much work, don’t worry. You can start by simply focusing on washing your sheets more frequently. Pick a day of the week and make it your designated sheet washing day. You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference clean sheets can make in terms of comfort and overall well-being.
So, how often should you wash your sheets? According to experts, every week is the general consensus. While it may require a bit more effort, the benefits of clean sheets far outweigh the inconvenience. So why not treat yourself to a fresh set of sheets more often? It’s a simple way to feel pampered without a whole lot of effort.