How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets? The Essential Bedding Health Guide

You spend an essential third of your life asleep, and keeping your bedding clean is critical for your overall wellbeing and a key part of maintaining a healthy sleep sanctuary.

Why Do I Need to Wash My Sheets?

Each night, your bed becomes a collection point for human byproducts, pollutants, and microscopic life.

1. Bacteria, Fungi, and Odor

• We shed hundreds of thousands of skin cells, excrete oils, and sweat up to half a pint of fluid—even if we've showered just before bed.
  
  
• Our skin hosts millions of bacteria and fungi, many of which transfer to our bedding.
  
  
• Bacteria on our skin, particularly staphylococci, break down sweat into smelly byproducts, which is why you may wake up with body odor.

2. Pollutants and External Allergens

• During the day, our bodies and hair collect pollutants, dust, pollen, and allergens that transfer to our bedding.
  
  
• These particles can trigger allergies, affect breathing, and contribute to poor air quality in the bedroom.

3. Dust Mites and Fecal Droppings

• The flakes of skin we shed every night become food for dust mites, microscopic creatures that thrive in warm, damp bedding and mattresses.
  
  
• The mites' fecal droppings are potent allergens that can aggravate eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.
  
  
• Fungi, like aspergillus fumigatus, have also been detected in used pillows and can cause serious lung infections in people with weakened immune systems.

How Often Should I Wash My Sheets?

The short answer from medical experts is: at least once a week. You should aim to swap out your sheets for clean ones every one to two weeks.

How often should I wash pillows, blankets, and comforters?

• Pillows and blankets don’t need to be washed as often as sheets, but cleaning them at least every few months limits the amount of germs and other microscopic organisms you face while you’re asleep.
  
  
• Items like your comforter and pillows can be washed every six months or as needed.
  
  
• Pillows should also be washed or replaced regularly to avoid a buildup of bacteria and allergens.

When should I wash my sheets more often?

• If you sleep with pets, you’ll need to clean your bedding more frequently, as animals introduce extra hair, dander, dirt, and sometimes fecal traces.
  
  
• Wash sheets and other bedding more often during hotter months, especially if you sweat heavily.
  
  
• If you have an illness, an infection, or your allergies strike, take that opportunity to wash your bedding again.

How to Keep Your Bed as Clean as Possible

Dermatologist Sean McGregor, DO, as stated in an article for the Cleveland Clinic, and Jack Dell'Accio, Certified Sleep Coach, provide these tips to maintain a clean bed:

• Prioritize Bedding: Sheets and pillowcases should be washed weekly in hot water to kill dust mites. For general washing, read the care label to avoid shrinking or damage.
  • Essentia Tip: If you have an organic cotton mattress cover, make sure to only wash it in cold water and use a mild detergent. Organic cotton can shrink in the dryer, so air dry these fabrics.
    
    
• Don’t Make Your Bed Immediately: Leave your bed unmade for at least a little while in the morning. Give sweaty sheets a chance to dry by not pulling up your comforter right away. This reduces the moisture that dust mites and bacteria need to flourish.
  
  
• Vacuum Your Mattress (If Necessary): Vacuuming is crucial to prevent dust and dirt buildup on traditional mattresses. However, if you own an Essentia organic latex mattress, you can skip this step. Essentia’s organic foams are naturally impervious to dust mites and do not collect the dust and debris a traditional mattress would.
  
  
• Protect and Dress Your Bed: Invest in a good-quality mattress cover to protect your mattress from spills, stains, and dirt, which will add to its lifespan. Essentia organic mattresses come with a 100% GOLS certified organic cotton cover.

Essentia Organic Sheets for a Cleaner Sleep

Choosing the right sheets can significantly support a clean and healthy sleep environment. Essentia offers sheets crafted from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, ensuring they are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and free from harmful chemicals, synthetic dyes, and formaldehyde-based treatments that can disrupt sleep and indoor air quality.

Because Essentia sheets are crafted from stronger organic cotton fibers, they are more durable and get softer with each wash, allowing you to clean them as often as recommended—worry-free.

FAQ About Washing Bed Sheets

Q: Does sleeping with pets mean I need to wash my sheets more often?

A: Yes. Animals introduce extra hair, dander, dirt, and sometimes faecal traces into your sheets and blankets, increasing the frequency at which you should wash your bedding. If you have a pet, you will need to clean your bedding more often.

Q: Do I need to wash my pillows and blankets weekly like my sheets?

A: No. Pillows and blankets don’t need to be washed as often as sheets, but you should clean them at least every few months. Experts suggest washing items like comforters and pillows every six months or as needed.

Q: What is the benefit of using organic sheets?

A: Organic sheets made from GOTS-certified organic cotton are free from harsh chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic dyes, making them hypoallergenic and non-toxic. This is ideal for individuals with sensitive skin, allergies, or chemical sensitivities, and it helps improve indoor air quality.

Q: Should I use hot water to wash my sheets?

A: Washing in hot water can help to eliminate bacteria from sweat or urine and kill dust mites. However, always check the care label. Fabrics like organic cotton mattress covers should only be washed in cold water and air dried to prevent shrinking and maintain integrity.