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Nothing beats the feeling of getting into bed when you have nice, clean, fresh bedding. With our busy lifestyles it can sometimes be hard to find the time to give yourself this luxury. But just how often should you wash your bedding and how important is it?
4 Min Read | By Nat Took
Last Modified 28 August 2025 First Added 14 January 2020
Our Sleep Survey revealed that most people are pretty diligent about cleanliness, with the majority sticking to a weekly or biweekly sheet-changing routine. Ideally, you should change your sheets at least once a week, or every two weeks at the latest. Regular washing keeps bedding fresh, helps reduce the build-up of germs, dust mites, and allergens, and supports better hygiene for anyone who shares their bed with pets or tends to get warm at night.
If you have pets in your bed or get hot easily, you may want to change your sheets even more often. Next, we’ll take a closer look at why you should wash your bed sheets and what can happen if you leave them too long.
Putting off sheet-wash day can lead to a build-up of dirt, sweat, body oils, skin cells, and even dust mites. Here are a few reasons it’s important to keep your sheets fresh and clean:
If you deal with night sweats or warmer weather, your sheets can end up holding onto extra moisture and salts. That dampness creates the perfect conditions for dust mites, bacteria, and even mould to grow. In fact, studies have found that dust mites multiply fastest in warm, humid bedding, and fungi can skyrocket in moist household dust. Researchers also note that keeping your sheets dry and clean helps cut down on these unwanted guests – so washing them regularly makes a real difference.
Dust mites thrive on the dead skin cells we naturally shed, and for people with allergies or asthma, they can trigger sneezing, wheezing, or itchy eyes. The good news is that washing your bedding in hot water, around 60 °C, has been shown to kill dust mites and reduce the allergens they leave behind.
When your sheets aren’t fresh, they can irritate your skin – sometimes leading to itchiness, breakouts, or even eczema flare-ups. Keeping your sheets and pillowcases clean is a simple way to help your skin stay comfortable and happy.
If you sleep with your pet in the bed, you’ll know they can sometimes leave behind dander, hair, and even outdoor allergens. While we’re not saying don’t cuddle with your furry friend, just make sure you wash your sheets regularly.
Studies have found that bed sheets can sometimes collect bacteria such as Staphylococcus and E. coli, which aren’t ideal for your skin or overall health. Regular sheet washing, especially at warmer temperatures, helps keep your bedding clean, fresh, and free from unwanted substances.
We as humans create a lot of humidity through sweat and breathing, so bedding is often at risk of mould and fungal growth if left for a long time. Fungi can linger on fabrics such as cotton, polyester, and wool for nearly a month, making regular sheet washing important to keep bedding fresh and hygienic and combat anything that can be carried in on your shoes, clothes, or pets.
Changing your sheets after being poorly is always a good idea, as the germs can linger in your bedding. Washing at high temperatures can kill viruses, helping to prevent reinfection or passing it on to someone else in your home.
If you go to sleep naked, or you haven’t showered in a while, you’ll add more body oil and dead skin cells to your sheets. This speeds up the bacteria and dust mite build-up, meaning you’ll need to wash your sheets more often.
If you can’t find the time to change and wash your bedding as often as you’d like, there are ways to help keep your sheets clean between washings, such as:
Although this will not kill any germs or dust mites, it will help to keep your bedding feeling clean in between washes.
Yes, not making your bed straight away can actually help keep your sheets clean. While being warm and toasty is great when you’re under the covers, it’s not so great for your bed. You’ve probably heard that you should “air out” your bed or even seen the Scandi tradition of putting your bed sheets out in the cold to freshen them up. This is actually really good advice.
@sejsejlija the Scandinavian way to GREAT sleep ✨️ #svalbard #longyearbyen ♬ Metamorphosis – Danilo Stankovic
the Scandinavian way to GREAT sleep ✨️ #svalbard #longyearbyen
♬ Metamorphosis – Danilo Stankovic
Studies have shown that allowing the heat and moisture to escape by leaving the covers pulled back or hung up (preferably in the sun) can reduce the growth of bacteria and fungi, dust mite build-up, and odours.
You should also ensure good airflow in the room, so make sure you leave a window or door open for at least a couple of hours a day to improve air quality.
Drying bedding in sunlight is one of the best options, as UV rays naturally help kill bacteria, reduce dust mites, and leave fabrics feeling fresh. Sunlight can also help neutralise odours and brighten whites without the need for harsh chemicals.
If outdoor drying isn’t possible, using a tumble dryer on a low to medium heat setting is a good alternative. High heat can damage fibres, elastic, or shrink bedding over time, so gentler cycles are best. Adding wool dryer balls can speed up drying and prevent clumping, especially with duvets or comforters.
It’s also important to ensure bedding is completely dry before storing or putting it back on your bed, as even slight dampness can encourage mould and mildew growth. For heavier items like duvets, an extra spin cycle or partial line-dry followed by tumble drying can help.
Finally, always check the care label – natural fibres like cotton and linen tolerate heat and sunlight well, while synthetic blends may require lower settings to preserve their lifespan.
Duvets only need a wash around twice a year. Check that your duvet is machine washable and your machine’s drum capacity before washing your duvet at home, though. Remember that natural fillings like feathers or wool retain moisture, so they need thorough drying.
Aim to wash your pillows every 3 months, as they can collect sweat, oils, and even fungi. Always check the care label for washing instructions, and like duvets, dry them quickly and thoroughly to avoid mould.
Mattress protectors are essential for extending your mattress’s life, but they need care, too. Ideally, you should wash your mattress protector every two months. If you’ve had a spill, sweated a lot, or let pets sleep on your bed, you should wash it more often.
Vacuum your mattress with a soft upholstery attachment every couple of months. Before you start, check the manufacturer’s care guide. You can also clean your bed frame with a damp cloth.
Remember, regardless of cleaning, we recommend changing your mattress every eight years.
To summarise, you should wash:
Changing and cleaning your bedding doesn’t just feel good; it also improves sleep quality, prevents allergies, and helps your bedding last longer.
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