How often to change bed sheets?

You should change your bedsheets once a week. Think about it: You spend 49 to 60+ hours in bed every week, and your sheets collect skin flakes, bodily fluids, and oils. Then there's dust, dust mites, and (if you have a cat or dog) pet hair.

But the method you use is just as important as how often you wash. That article will discuss suitable options.

Bedding care instructions

Your bed is one of the most essential pieces of furniture you own, and your bed sheets are the most important accessories. This includes pillowcases, duvet covers, fitted sheets, pillows, and comforters. So, how often should you change them for optimal comfort?

First, let's look at the recommended figures from research and Reddit threads:

• Pillowcases: Once a week
• Duvet covers & fitted sheets: Once every 2 weeks to a month
• Comforters: Once every 2-3 months (if washable)
• Pillows: Once every 4-6 months (if washable)

Next, let's look at what impacts how often you should wash your sheets.

• How Often You Sleep in Your Bed: If you're often away travelling or crashing elsewhere, your sheets are used sparingly. The less time you spend in your bed, the less frequently you need to wash your sheets.
• Rotating Your Sheet Sets: Owning multiple sets of sheets and rotating them can extend their lifespan. Each set gets washed less frequently, reducing wear and tear.
• Proper Storage: When storing sheets, avoid using sealed plastic bins to prevent mildew from trapping moisture. Instead, line your storage area with acid-free tissue paper to prevent yellowing. This will help keep your sheets fresh and pleasant when you use them.
• When to Wash More Frequently: Washing every two weeks might be enough for some, but certain habits and conditions mean you should stick to a weekly wash schedule:
  • Sweating a lot during sleep
  • Sleeping without clothes
  • Taking morning showers instead of evening ones
  • Eating in bed
  • Having sensitive skin
  • Sleeping with pets

How Often to Change Bed Sheets to Keep Them Fresh and White

Keeping your white sheets from turning yellow or dingy can be a challenge, but with a few simple tricks, you can keep them looking fresh. Here's how you can use everyday items to restore your sheets to their original brightness.

Lemon

Lemons are more than just for lemonade—they’re great for whitening sheets too! The citric acid in lemon juice is a natural bleach and leaves a fresh, citrusy scent.

Method One:

1. Juice one lemon and pour the juice into your washing machine and regular detergent.
2. Wash your sheets as you usually would.

Method Two:

1. Mix ½ cup of lemon juice with one gallon of hot water (don’t use this method with silk sheets).
2. Soak your sheets in this solution for at least an hour or overnight if they’re yellow.
3. After soaking, wash the sheets in the machine as usual.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Vinegar and baking soda are household staples that work wonders for your sheets. Vinegar helps break down residue and softens fabric, while baking soda neutralizes odours and acts as a mild abrasive to lift stains. These methods also help remove bodily fluids and dead skin cells from the sheets.

Regular washing is crucial to get rid of dust mites, which feed on dead skin cells and can impact your health.

Method One:

1. Add ½ cup of baking soda directly into the drum of your washing machine.
2. Fill your fabric softener dispenser with white vinegar. (It is crucial to keep the vinegar and baking soda separate during the wash cycle.)
3. Wash your sheets as usual.

Method Two:

1. Mix ½ cup of white vinegar with one gallon of hot water.
2. Soak your sheets in this solution for at least an hour.
3. Wash the sheets in your machine as usual.
4. Air dry your sheets to ensure any lingering vinegar smell dissipates (optional but recommended).

Summary

At the end of the day, you only need to toss out your sheets once they show signs of wear and tear, such as thinning, discolouration, stains, frayed edges, or loose elastic.

Even if your sheets are still in good shape, adding another set to your collection can help extend their lifespan. Rotating between sets means each one gets used and washed less frequently, keeping them in better condition for longer.

It is important to wash your sheets once a week to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. Changing sheets every two weeks at most helps prevent the buildup of dirt and allergens.

When it’s time to buy new sheets, check out Sootora’s range of premium bamboo sheets. They’re designed to last and cater to unique sleeping preferences, ensuring you get the comfort and durability you need for a good night’s sleep.