How often should you wash and change out your sheets? Experts explain
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Even if you wash your sheets regularly and they look like they've seen better days, it may be time to replace them. Courtesy Vivian Le There are so many different options online and in stores when it comes to bedding — the variety of pillowcases , flat sheets and comforters available makes it hard to know what to choose. What’s less confusing though is knowing that no matter what, your sheets need to be cleaned regularly to avoid stains, odors and just overall damage. Knowing just how often you should wash your sheets and bedding is a little more obscure, plus, even if your bedding is technically clean, sometimes it may just be time to replace it.
To find out how often you should change out and wash your sheets and when it’s time to replace them with a new set altogether, I spoke with laundry experts for their guidance. Keep reading to learn what they say, including how the rules change for pet owners who share the bed with their fur babies.
Best overall Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda $2.59 $5.99 Amazon Learn more Best for stains OxiClean White Revive Laundry Whitener and Stain Remover $11.79 $14.97 Amazon Learn more Best for protection Utopia Bedding Queen Size Mattress Protector $undefined $18.99 Amazon Learn more Related selected selected How often should you change and wash your towels, and when is it time to buy new ones? Here’s what experts say Want more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.
In general, you should change and wash your sheets around once a week, though this can depend on what type of bedding you’re referring to, according to Salvador Villarreal, the owner of laundry services company VIP Cleaners & Laundry . For things like fitted and flat sheets, once a week is standard, but for pillowcases, Villarreal recommends every three to seven days. Additionally, you should wash duvet covers every two to four weeks and comforters or duvet inserts at least every three weeks.
If you have pets that sleep in your bed with you and/or are prone to allergies, you should be washing your bedding more often, according to Villarreal. Consider changing your sheets twice a week and cleaning your duvet covers and inserts every two weeks regularly and never stretching it to four. You can wash mattress protectors every one to two months overall.
While it may depend on the type of bedding and factors such as how often you’ve been washing them, you should replace your sheets every two to five years, according to Villarreal. If your sheets have stains that are hard to get rid of, the fabric is becoming thin, pilling, tears and has less elasticity, then it’s time to replace them, says Villarreal.
“Duvet covers generally last longer since they protect the comforter underneath, while fitted sheets wear out first due to constant friction,” he says. Out of all types of bedding, though, fitted sheets should be replaced most often because of the friction they’re in contact with, according to Kim Romine, a fabric care scientist at Tide .
$ 2.59 $ 5.99 Amazon Now 57% off $ 5.38 Walmart $ 5.98 Home Depot What to know What we like Affordable Many uses Unscented Something to note Not for all fabric types This simple and affordable product is an incredibly popular laundry detergent, mainly because it’s so effective according to the thousands of positive reviews shoppers have left for it. While it may seem just like baking soda in a box, it’s actually made with sodium carbonate and water (whereas baking soda you use for cooking and baking is technically sodium bicarbonate).
Sodium carbonate, which some people use to make their own homemade laundry detergent (the brand even gives directions for this on the box), is more chemically basic than regular baking soda. The label actually lists several uses for washing soda, in addition to laundry, including cleaning pots and pans, surfaces and upholstery. Plus, many shoppers say they love using this product because it helps them save money on detergent. Just be mindful that you’ll want to refrain from using it on silk, leather or wool, according to the instructions on the box.
$ 11.79 $ 14.97 Amazon Now 21% off $ 11.79 Walmart $ 11.79 Target What to know What we like Chlorine bleach free Pleasant smell Removes stains Something to note Soaking recommended Since I never use traditional bleach when I do laundry, I started using this powder oxygen bleach (which is different from highly corrosive liquid chlorine bleach) as an alternative. After using it a few times and soaking my clothing and sheets in it, I truly noticed a difference in the whiteness of my sheets.
This powder, which is also available in tablet form, works well for cleaning and whitening clothing and bedding without the strong odors that come from traditional chlorine. Soaking definitely makes a huge difference and it has a “clean linen” smell to it that I enjoy. In addition to sheets, it works on canvas-based shoes, sports uniforms, shirts and socks, according to the brand.
$ 159.20 $ 199.00 Buffy Now 20% off What to know What we like Available in many designs Made from eucalyptus Tencel Great for hot sleepers Something to note Wash in cold water only The Breeze Sheets are made from ultra-soft eucalyptus lyocell material that has a breathable feel, according to several reviewers.The lyocell fabric helps absorb and release moisture so that you don’t trap humidity under the sheets, according to the brand, so they’re less likely to make you sweat — which means less washing to get sweat stains out of the sheets. The set is available in several sizes and multiple stripe, plaid and floral designs.
$ 18.99 Amazon $ 26.99 Walmart What to know What we like Available in many sizes Waterproof Fits beds up to 17 inches tall Something to note Made from polyester This popular mattress protector is available in twin…
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