HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR SHEETS?

Changing sheets and remaking a bed can be amongst the most labor-intensive chores, which is why the average person might genuinely wonder: How often should you wash your sheets? “Are people confused about how often they should be washing their sheets, or do they hope that they can put off unmaking the bed, washing the sheets, and then remaking the bed for as long as possible?” asks Mary Gagliardi, Clorox’s in-house scientist and cleaning expert (also known as Dr. Laundry). “I’m not so sure people are confused about this as much as they just don’t believe the recommendations, if it means doing more work,” she says.

She’s right, of course. But Gagliardi knows well that washing sheets relatively frequently is a necessary household task. We all sweat, drool, and shed dead skin cells in our sleep—saying nothing about dust mites and allergens from dander—and all of that gunk seeps into our sheets, where we return night after night. The more buildup that accumulates, the nastier the sheets become—whether or not you habitually shower at night or make sure to put on clean pajamas.

“At a minimum, sheets should be changed weekly,” Gagliardi says, noting that the task is easier “when you have a second set available to swap with the dirty sheets, allowing you more flexibility to fit a laundry load of sheets into your schedule.”

Other than the ick factor of buildup, there’s a vanity-based reason for completing this chore regularly, according to Katie Elks, design director at Brooklinen. “You might also find changing your pillowcase more often will benefit your skin and hair,” she says. And then there’s one more positive to consider: Getting into clean sheets is one of life’s little luxuries. Read on for answers to FAQs around this chore, so that you can master it once and for all.

How often should I wash my sheets?

As Gagliardi mentioned, throwing your set of sheets in the washer once a week is best, although Elks says you can likely push it to two weeks if you’re not a hot sleeper. The type of wash cycle you should do depends on the type of sheets you like to sleep in, so let’s cover the basics.

For cotton, satin, and polyester sheets, Gagliardi recommends washing in the hottest water possible in the heavy-duty cycle. For linen sheets made of flax, “care instructions typically recommend the delicate cycle, with lower agitation and spin speeds that help reduce wrinkling—which is good, but also means washing with cold water, which is less effective at cleaning,” Gagliardi notes. Silk sheets should be gently hand washed, unless the care label allows for a delicate or hand-wash cycle.

“And skip the fabric softener,” Elks says, particularly if you have eczema or sensitive skin. “Softeners can build up on fabric and cause irritation.” Fabric softeners will also make your fabrics wear out faster, and no one wants to make a habit out of buying new sheets too often.

What setting should I use on my washing machine?

You should generally wash your sheets in hot water or warm water to kill germs. Gagliardi suggests a laundry detergent that includes “enzymes, cleaning agents and builders.” But check the care tag on your sheets, because it may recommend cooler temperatures to preserve the fabric over time. In that case, you’ll just want to be diligent about washing your sheets more often to keep the body oil buildup at bay.

“Cold-water washing, or using a delicate cycle, can be enough when the item being washed isn’t that dirty and is washed frequently,” she continues. “But if sheets are allowed to get pretty dirty over time, increasing the wash temperature will help improve cleaning.”

Should I put my sheets in the dryer?

Yes, you can put your bed sheets in the dryer—in most cases. “For cellulosic and manmade fibers, dryers are generally okay, but natural protein fibers like silk and wool should not go in the dryer unless the care label specifically allows for this,” Gagliardi says. “One potential drawback of tumble drying, though, is that colored sheets will fade because of the heat of the dryer.”

To prevent your colored sheets from fading as much as possible, stick to a lower heat setting or hang them up to dry. And make sure to throw a few dryer balls in, since they’ll keep everything from bunching into the elastic of your fitted sheet.

How often should I wash my duvet and pillowcases?

The timing around washing your duvet or comforter comes down to whether or not you sleep with a top sheet. Top sheets insulate a duvet cover or quilt from the dirt of your body, so if you don’t sleep with one, you’ll have to wash your duvet more often. “A duvet cover can reduce the number of times you need to wash the actual duvet, but you’ll still need to wash it weekly if it’s effectively serving as the top sheet,” Gagliardi says. When a duvet is used in addition to a top sheet, then she advises washing once a month.

Pillowcases that are used nightly should be washed weekly alongside sheets, but decorative pillows can go in with the duvet on a monthly basis.

Do I have to wash my sheets more often if I have pets?

If your pet sleeps in your bed, the frequency with which you throw your sheets in the wash depends on where in your bed they tend to doze off. “If your furry friend stays on your duvet cover, then you may wish to wash your duvet cover as often as you wash your sheets,” Elks says. “But if they curl up on your pillow, you might want to consider changing your pillowcase daily!”

Gagliardi’s parting wisdom about maintaining fresh sheets is to keep your lifestyle in mind, since these recommendations may very from person to person. “People with kids and pets will benefit from sheets that are easier to care for, given how heavily they will be used and what it takes to get them sanitized,” she says. “And I have to say, going through this [info] makes me so happy with my white, bleach-friendly, 100% cotton sheets!”