How Often Should You Really Wash Your Sheets?
If it's been a while since you've washed your sheets (or honestly, you can't even remember the last time you changed them), you're in good company. On average, Americans say they wash their sheets every 24 days, according to a recent Mattress Advisor survey.
However, they only found the bedding legitimately disgusting after more than a month had passed. Because she doesn't see her own body odors, she probably doesn't notice panic in her sheets as much as anyone else, says Laura Goodman, M.S., a senior scientist at P&G Fabric Care.
So how long is a long time without a new game? Here's your guide to how often to wash sheets, why it's best to stick to the schedule, and how to handle it if you're already dreading laundry day.
So how often should you really wash the sheets?
As a general rule of thumb, you should wash your sheets for a week or two, Goodman says. That said, if you or your partner sweat, have sex, sleep naked, or share your bed with pets, you are ruining your sleeping space more than you would if you were, for example, sleeping only in your pajamas.
If any of the above sounds familiar to you, you should wash the sheets once a week.
What if you don't wash the sheets often?
First, there's the unpleasant factor: every hour, you lose around 200 million dead skin cells (that's more than 1.4 billion per night, doubled if you're sleeping with a partner).
And in your bed, tiny eight-legged mites feast on dead skin cells. Although these creatures do not transmit any diseases, body parts (and feces) are one of the most common triggers of allergies throughout the year, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American (AAFA). If you don't clean the sheets regularly, you can sneeze with a runny nose or, in extreme cases, even have wheezing or trouble breathing, Goodman says.
In addition to pesky mites, you also spend a lot of time with everything you pick up or wear throughout the day, including dirt, makeup, lotion, and environmental pollutants, to name a few, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and dermatology clinical research at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
Add to that your own sweat, body oils and sexual fluids, more animal hair, and you've got yourself some pretty nasty sheets.
Because all of these substances come into close contact with your skin while you sleep, a wide range of problems can arise, from skin irritation to acne and possibly even infections (although we're talking worst-case scenarios here), says Dr.Zeichner. If you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea, you're at the highest risk because your skin barrier (the top layer of skin) is already weakened, he says.
Worse? Microorganisms like bacteria and fungi tend to thrive in humid environments, including dirty pillowcases, says Dr. Zeichner.
But what if you don't have time to wash your sheets every week?
Life is busy, especially if your washer and dryer are just a short drive away. The simplest solution is to stock up. Keep three sets of sheets for your bed and cycle every week or two, Goodman suggests. (Can we suggest a set of our favorite linen, chilled, or silk sheets?)
When you have time to wash your sheets, be sure to follow the care label for specific washing and drying instructions (polyester blends generally wash best in warm water, while cotton can tolerate hot water), Goodman notes.
If possible, choose the warmest wash temperature setting to kill the mites, according to the AAFA. And of course, remember to sort the sheets by color - dark or red colors can fade or bleed into lighter colors - a recipe for tie-dye sheets if you're not careful.
And while you may be tempted to throw out the entire detergent bottle if your sheets are heavily soiled, don't overdo it. Using more detergent than your load requires can cause detergent molecules to lodge in your sheets, which can unfortunately further irritate your skin, says Dr. Zeichner.
Now, as you remove the mattress, drag the basket, and remake the bed, remember: nothing compares to the simple luxury of sliding on clean, immaculate sheets!
We hope you enjoy watching this video about how often should you actually wash your sheets:
Source: Wirecutter
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Last update on 2025-01-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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