HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR SHEETS? A PRACTICAL GUIDE

Running your sheets through the washer regularly can help get rid of the sweat, oils and dead skin cells our bodies naturally leave behind after each night’s sleep. Keeping your sheets clean may also help reduce allergy symptoms and keep your skin healthier.

There are a handful of telltale signs you may notice when it’s time to wash your sheets. Keep an eye out for fading or discoloration, a sticky or grimy texture, visible stains, sweat marks, odors or dirt on your bedding.

It’s generally recommended to wash sheets at least once a week, but how often is best for you can depend on your unique sleep habits. Read through the scenarios below to learn more about how often to wash your sheets.

Showering before bed and wearing sleepwear may help reduce the amount of dirt and oils that collect on your sheets, letting you possibly stretch the wash schedule. However, factors like pets in bed, a sensitivity to allergens or night sweats may mean you still need to wash sheets weekly.

Pet hair, dander and odors can build up on your sheets, which may trigger allergies or asthma. If furry friends consistently sleep in your bed, it may be beneficial to wash your sheets more often.

While washing your sheets weekly is a general recommendation, you may need to wash them more often if you battle allergies or sensitive skin. This can help limit exposure to pollen, dust and dander that may also lead to flare-ups of skin irritation.

If you or a family member is working through an illness, it’s best to wash sheets as soon as you notice symptoms. Bacteria and germs can cling to bedding, which is never a good feeling when you’re trying to get better. While it’s up to personal preference, you may even want to wash your sheets daily while sick. Additionally, always clean bedding immediately after a nighttime accident, and consider washing sheets more often than once a week if you frequently sweat at night.

Washing your sheets more often in the summer months—when you may be more prone to sweating at night—can help keep your sheets fresh.

Washing sheets isn’t complicated, but a few simple tips can help maintain their quality while tackling germs and dirt. Follow the six steps below to help get your sheets clean, dry and ready to use. 

1. Check the care tag: Depending on the fabric type, your sheets may require certain wash or dry cycles to help preserve the fabric. Consult the care tag before you wash them. 

2. Treat stains: Tackle visible stains before you throw sheets in the washer using a pre-wash stain remover. Avoid machine-drying your sheets until the stain is gone, since dryer heat can sometimes set stains.

3. Load sheets and detergent: It can seem convenient to wash all of your bedding or linens together, but it’s best to avoid washing sheets with items like comforters or towels as this can lead to lint buildup or pilling on sheets. For top load washers, be sure to evenly distribute your sheets around the agitator or impeller for a balanced load, and avoid overstuffing the washer with too many sheets at once.

4. Select cycle settings: Wash your sheets with the warmest water permitted by the care tag to help tackle grime and residue. If your care tag doesn’t specify, plan to use a Normal cycle for cotton, polyester or linen sheets, and a Delicate cycle for more fragile fabrics like bamboo, satin or silk.

5. Dry sheets: Unless the care tag says otherwise, plan to tumble dry your sheets on low heat to help avoid excessive dry times or high temperatures that can lead to damage. Try using rubber or wool dryer balls to help prevent sheets from balling up, and consider drying delicate fabrics on a clothesline rather than in the dryer.

6. Fold and store: Once your sheets are completely dry, fold and store them in a cool and dry location to help keep them clean.

It’s a good idea to wash sheets on their own. This can help prevent pilling or excessive lint from forming on sheets from clothing, and may help stop them from balling up or enclosing/trapping other clothing items (like fitted sheets tend to do in the dryer). You should also avoid washing too many sheets at once, which can overpack the washer and impact cleaning performance.

The right washer setting depends on your sheet’s fabric and care tag instructions. Always consult your care tag for specific wash settings. If the tag isn’t specific, follow the general guidance below by fabric type: 

• Cotton: Warm or hot water on the Sheets, Normal, Regular, Casual or Sanitize cycle.

• Polyester blend: Warm water on the Sheets, Normal, Regular or Casual cycle.   

• Silk and satin: Cold water on the Delicate or Gentle cycle.

• Flannel: Cold or warm water on the Gentle or Delicate cycle.

• Linen: Cold or warm water on the Sheets, Normal, Regular or Casual cycle.

• Bamboo: Cold water on the Gentle or Delicate cycle.

How long it takes to wash your sheets can depend on factors like the wash and dry cycle and settings selected and pre-treatment. In general, you can expect sheets washed with a Normal cycle to take about 60 minutes, while those washed on a Delicates cycle take about 50 minutes. Sheets washed on a Bulky/Sheets cycle may take about 55 minutes.

How often you wash bedding like blankets, pillowcases, comforters, duvet covers and more depends on factors such as how often your bedding comes into direct contact with your skin. In general, here’s how often you may expect to wash the following items, although individual use and circumstances may vary:

The above schedules are general estimates and depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences

Knowing when, and how, to wash your sheets can help laundry day run smoothly. Get answers to common questions about washing sheets below.