We may not ever get the hang of folding a fitted sheet, but thankfully, washing your bedsheets is a lot simpler. But exactly how important is it to wash your sheets regularly? Think about it. The same way your clothes become dirty after regular use, so do your bedsheets. Considering the average person spends seven hours asleep, a bed is almost like a secondary outfit that gets “worn” every day.
But while it feels luxurious slipping into a freshly made bed of washed sheets, what’s more important is that clean bedsheets are also good for your health. How? Find out in this blog where we outline all the reasons you should wash your bed linens regularly, as well as how often you should wash your bedsheets.
Why Washing Your Bedsheets is Healthy
Because you might be sharing your mattress with some unwanted guests. Dust mites, to be exact. These little critters won’t bite you; instead, they feed off the large amount of dead skin cells that fall off your body. This process happens naturally throughout the day, but as you sleep, your skin rubs off on your bedsheets, pillow, and comforter, falling onto your linens and mattress.
If that’s not already disturbing, imagine all the byproduct that comes along with their lodging. Just like every other organism, whatever goes into a dust mite must come out. These droppings are laced with a certain protein which can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms in those who are susceptible. Given that the average bed can host up to 1.5 million mites, it’s easy to see why mites are such a big deal.
Other concerns include:
- Saliva, which can be a haven for bacteria
- If you sleep with a furry companion, dander from pet hair can set off eczema symptoms
- Not washing your bedsheets can decrease the longevity of your mattress
Bedsheets: Deconstructed
The term bedsheet is often used loosely to mean all bedding; that is, a duvet, a comforter, fitted and flat sheets, a mattress protector, plus pillows and pillowcases. While it’s widely suggested to wash your bedsheets weekly, over-washing can be damaging to some bedding pieces.
For instance, since you sleep under a comforter and not on it, there’s less body contact—and even less contact when that comforter is inside of a duvet. That means a duvet will require more frequent washes that a comforter will. A simple mix up could have you washing them together, but doing so can permanently ruin a comforter’s filling and fabrics.
What is generally accepted is washing your bedding in the hottest water possible; this will eliminate bacteria, dust mites, and soiling the most effectively. Of course, always defer to the label for precise wash-temp recommendations.
- Duvet: Between every two weeks and a month
- Comforter: Between every two to three months
- Blankets: Between every two to three months
- Flat and fitted bedsheets: Every week
- Mattress protector: Every two months
- Pillows: Every four to six months; confirm if washable first
- Pillowcases: Every week
How to Keep Your Bed Fresh and Clean
Along with regular washes, there are a few ways to keep your bed healthy and sanitary.
One of the easiest methods is to buy more bedsheets. All-in-one bedding sets are a convenient and affordable way to keep fresh linens and comforters on hand. Simply swap dirty sheets for clean ones; once you have a pair of dirty sheets, you can wash them together to save time and energy.
Be mindful of the season. While sleeping hot can be anticipated during the summer, sleeping with the heater cranked up all night will also cause you to sweat. If you find yourself sweating often during sleep, consider washing your sheets weekly the standard.
Illnesses like a cold or the flu are naturally defeated by your body’s immune system, but your bed lacks that, unfortunately. While your body will become immune over time, others who share your bed are still vulnerable.
Consider quarantining a bed to those who are sick only and washing the sheets immediately after recovery. For individuals exposed to COVID-19, limit contact by wearing disposable gloves, making sure to disinfect your hands and hard surfaces that have come into contact with the bedsheets.
Let us Help!
We can’t guarantee making your bed will get any easier, but with these easy tips, you can count on enjoying sleep that is healthy, fresh, and dreamy. Whether you’re updating your bedroom’s look, sizing up your mattress, or want to keep a fresh stock of bedding on hand, ask us about the latest styles and coziest fabrics. Shop today!