How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets? Experts Weigh In

Few things feel as good as diving into a freshly made bed with crisp, clean sheets. When your bedding hasn't been washed in a while, it can make your sleep environment less than relaxing. Because you spend so much time laying on them, sheets quickly build up bacteria, dust, and other debris that can make them feel dingy. Ahead, experts explain how often you should clean your sheets, plus tips for caring for them.

How Often to Wash Sheets

It's best practice to wash your sheets once per week. "Sheets can carry everything from dust mites to bacteria to fungus and bodily fluids," says Becky Rapinchuk, of Clean Mama and author of Simply Clean and The Organically Clean Home. "Weekly washing ensures that you're getting rid of any dust mites, bacteria, etc., and it makes for a clean sleeping environment."

How to Wash and Care for Your Sheets

Washing sheets is simple—but there are some things to keep in mind to get the best results and to ensure that your sheets last as long as possible.

Select the Right Temperature

For normal washes, use a regular cycle with cold or warm water and natural detergent. Hot water fades colored items faster, so using cold or warm water is especially important when washing patterned or dark-colored sheets. However, if you're dealing with stains or if you've been sick, select the hottest cycle possible. 

Wash Sheets Separately

As tempting as it is to just do one load and be done with it, it's important to wash your sheets separately from other items—especially towels. "The lint from the towels will get onto the sheets, and that's not something you want to deal with," says Lindsey Boyd, co-owner of The Laundress. Additionally, items like socks and shirts can get stuck inside the sheets and either get lost or don't get cleaned properly when you wash them together. Another reason to wash clothing and sheets separately is to avoid snags. "Sheets get caught on zippers and hardware, and you'll find mysterious holes and rips," Boyd says.

Dry on Low Heat

Avoid using high heat when drying bed sheets to prevent any potential shrinkage. Ten minutes before the drying cycle is over, take your sheets out. If you love a crisp bed, iron them now while they are still warm and a little damp—it's harder to get the wrinkles out once sheets have cooled down, says Boyd.

Skip Fabric Softener

While fabric softener has a lot of pros—softening your garments, helping with static, preventing wrinkles, etc.—it's not well-suited to all materials, including sheets. The ingredients in fabric softener can seep into the fabric and weaken the fibers in sheets, which may potentially create holes over time, says Boyd.

How Often to Wash the Rest of Your Bedding

Keep the rest of your bedding clean, by using the following guidelines for washing frequency.

• Pillowcases: Wash pillowcases weekly with your sheets, says Rapinchuk.
• Duvet covers: If you don't use a top sheet, wash your duvet cover once a week. If you do use a top sheet, wash your duvet cover every two to three weeks.
• Mattress pads: Wash your mattress pad every other week.
• Comforters: Wash comforters seasonally.
• Throw pillows: Wash throw pillows seasonally. If they are not washable, toss them in the dryer to fluff them up and get rid of any dust, says Rapinchuk.