Sleep hygiene is one of the first things that affect how well you sleep. Of course, you need to go to bed with a clean body and a decluttered mind. But, what about your sheets?
It is necessary to keep your sheets spick and span. Washing them regularly is the easiest solution here. However, how often should you wash your sheets?
Read on to find out everything about washing your sheets and bedding.
Why Should You Wash Your Sheets?
What if we tell you that your partner is not the only one you share your bed with?
Yes, there are hundreds and thousands of microscopic creatures sleeping on your bed. A majority of them are dust mites. They don’t bite you but can cause allergies and irritation while feeding on your dead skin cells.
Your bed is full of carcasses of these dust mites. Moreover, it also contains their fecal matter.
Apart from the dust mites, your bed contains the dirt and sweat from your body. Moreover, there are innumerable germs if it is left uncleaned for long. So, washing your bedsheet is inevitable.
Washing your sheets will also preserve their softness. You can get soft sheets if you buy one with a higher thread count.
Are you convinced with why you should wash your sheets?
How to Wash Sheets?
Before diving into how often to wash sheets, you must know how to wash them. Washing your sheets is super simple.
Just follow these steps.
- Read the manufacturer’s instructions before proceeding to wash the sheet.
- Wash it in hot water. That will kill all the harmful microbes and pathogens.
- You can use warm water for polyester sheets.
- Use a mild detergent and put them in the washer.
- Give your sheets an extra rinse. It will ensure there are no soap residues left behind.
- Tumble dry your sheets.
- If the label prohibits tumble drying, you can dry them in the sun. Sunlight is an excellent antimicrobial agent.
- You can also iron your sheets. That will also kill all the germs and microbes without having to keep them in sunlight for long.
For delicate and expensive materials like silk or bamboo, use cold or tepid water to hand wash them. You can wash bamboo sheets in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Silk sheets, however, are best hand washed and dried in the shade.
Now, put on the freshly washed sheets on your bed and enjoy the soothing sleep.
But how often should you wash the sheets on your bed?
How Often Should You Change Your Sheets?
Changing your sheets once every week is a healthy practice. That is enough time for dirt, sweat, and thousands of dust mites to accumulate on your bed.
Keeping a pair of extra sheets can reduce your efforts. For instance, you can wash two sheets at a time every two weeks.
If you are suffering from a contagious disease, it is better to wash your sheets more frequently. Also, wash your sheets immediately after you recover. It will prevent spreading the infection to others.
What About Pillows, Blankets, and Comforters?
What about other bedding? You need to clean them too if you don’t want allergens to accumulate on them.
| Bedding Type | Wash Frequency |
|---|---|
| Pillows | Once every 4-5 months if they are washable |
| Blankets | Once every 2-3 months if you use them often |
| Comforters | Once every three months or more frequently |
| Pillow Covers | Preferably once a week |
You don’t make complete body contact with your blankets and comforters. So, you do not need to wash them as frequently as your sheets. However, that doesn’t mean you are off washing duty here.
You should wash them at least once every season. And, if you cannot wash your blankets, put them out in the sun. This will remove all the bugs and disinfect your blanket.
Pillows are home to dead cells from your scalp and other microscopic organisms. So, cleaning them is the best way to avoid an itchy scalp.
Tips to Keep Your Sheets Dirt Free
Now that you know how often to wash bedding, here are some superb tips to keep your sheets spick and span
- The best tip is to wash your sheets frequently in hot water. That will keep all the allergens and microbes at bay.
- If you are a lazy person, you can vacuum your sheets between cleaning them. It will remove the dirt and dust particles accumulated on them.
- Do not jump to your bed with dirty clothes on. Always change into your nightclothes when you come from outside.
- Avoid sleeping with a sweaty body. Sweat accumulated on the sheets is an invitation to germs. So, it is better to take a refreshing bath before hitting bed.
- You can use a disinfectant spray to sanitize your sheets in the intervals between washing. It will also keep the odor away.
How often should you wash your sheets if your pet sleeps with you?
You may need to wash your bed sheet every alternative day. The saliva and fur of your four-legged friend can settle on your sheets leading to allergies. You can also consider washing them daily if possible.
The Bottom Line
There is no escape from washing your sheets frequently. If you cannot afford to wash them every week, make sure you keep them clean.
When you maintain proper hygiene of your bedding, you will fall asleep faster on those crisp warm sheets.
