The general recommendation is to change and wash your bed sheets about once a week. This weekly frequency helps keep your sleeping environment fresh and clean, reducing buildup of sweat, dead skin cells, dust mites, bacteria, and potential allergens. Weekly changes are particularly important if you:
- Suffer from allergies, asthma, or skin issues
- Experience night sweats
- Sleep with pets on the bed
- Live in warmer months or climates
In less demanding circumstances, some people may stretch changing sheets to every two weeks, but weekly is the ideal standard for hygiene and comfort. Other bedding items, like pillowcases, duvet covers, and comforters, are generally cleaned less frequently, ranging from every two weeks to a few months. Experts emphasize that washing sheets weekly is important for sleep quality and health because dirty sheets harbor irritants and microbes that can affect the skin and respiratory system. Line drying cotton sheets after washing is also recommended to keep them fresh and reduce creases. In summary:
- Change bed sheets weekly for best hygiene and sleep quality.
- If you have pets, allergies, or sweat a lot, wash more frequently (up to twice a week).
- In cooler or less demanding situations, every two weeks may be acceptable.
- Other bedding items have varied cleaning schedules but less frequent than sheets.
This guidance aligns with the Sleep Foundation, health experts, and recent studies on bedding hygiene.
