Everyone has their own standards for keeping their houses clean, and how often to wash sheets is one of the more subjective tenets. Users on Reddit say they wash their bed linens anywhere from weekly to every four to six months, which is a pretty significant gap. So who’s right?
Meet the Experts: Laura Goodman, M.S., principal scientist for Procter & Gamble; Aleksandra Brown, D.O., F.A.A.D., F.A.O.C.D., board-certified dermatologist and partner at River Ridge Dermatology in Virginia; and Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
First, it’s important to understand that not everyone has access to free laundry, nor does everyone have a spare set of sheets stored in the linen closet to make the transition easy. All of these factors play a part. However, experts do say the cleanliness of your sheets matters.
Your skin sheds 30,000 cells per minute, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. That means hundreds of thousands of dead skin cells accumulate in your sleeping spot nightly. There is also great potential for the harboring of dust mites, bacteria, and fungi, especially if you often go to bed unshowered or sleep with pets. Long before they begin to smell, dirty sheets can cause irritated skin, acne, and allergic reactions, according to Laura Goodman, M.S., a principal scientist for Procter & Gamble.
Below, experts share how often you should really be washing your sheets and what happens if you don’t.
How often should you wash your sheets?
As a general rule, Goodman says you should wash your sheets every one to two weeks. Aleksandra Brown, D.O., F.A.A.D., F.A.O.C.D., a board-certified dermatologist and partner at River Ridge Dermatology in Virginia, agrees. “If you have acne-prone skin, eczema, allergies, night sweats, or sleep with pets, weekly washing is ideal,” she adds.
Your pillowcase is a whole other story. Dr. Brown recommends changing those more frequently—about every three to four days—especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin. Other factors to consider when deciding on wash day are how often you have sex, sleep nude, or if you recently fell ill and germed up the space. If those are at play, you’ll likely need a fresh set earlier than anticipated.
What happens if you don’t wash your sheets enough?
Aside from the unhygienic ick you may unintentionally waft toward your one-night stand, there are a few other consequences for sluggish sheet maintenance. Although dust mites don’t carry disease, their body parts (and poop) are one of the most common triggers for year-round allergies, per the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American (AAFA). “Regular washing helps reduce exposure to potential irritants and allergens that can contribute to skin irritation, eczema flares, and allergy symptoms,” adds Dr. Brown. So, if you find yourself sneezing with a runny nose or, in extreme cases, even wheezing or having a hard time breathing, it may be time to bump laundry day up the to-do list.
Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, adds that you’re more at risk of experiencing some sort of a reaction if you already have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea because your skin barrier (the top layer of your skin) is already weakened.
When you climb into bed, you’re also spending lots of quality time with whatever you’ve picked up or put on throughout the day, including dirt, makeup, lotion, and environmental pollutants.
How to keep clean sheets
Life’s busy, especially if your washing machine and dryer are a drive away. The easiest solution is to stock up. Goodman suggests keeping three sets of sheets for your bed and cycling them out every one to two weeks. (May we suggest our favorite linen set?)
When you do have time to wash your sheets, make sure to follow the care label for any specific washing and drying instructions. Typically, polyester blends are best washed in warm water, while cotton can tolerate hot water, for instance, according to Goodman. If possible, opt for the hottest washing temperature setting in order to kill dust mites, per the AAFA. And, of course, remember to separate your sheets by color—dark colors or reds can dull or bleed onto lighter colors, a recipe for tie-dye sheets if you’re not careful.
If you have skin sensitivities, Dr. Brown recommends using fragrance-free and dye-free detergents, “as fragrance is a common cause of skin irritation and allergic contact dermatitis,” she says. “The fabric matters, too. I often recommend 100% cotton bedding because it is breathable, soft, gentle on the skin, and naturally free of synthetic fibers that can release microplastics during laundering.”
If your sheets are particularly soiled, you might be tempted to dump the whole jug of detergent into the washing drum, but don’t overdo it. Using more detergent than your load calls for could mean detergent molecules themselves become lodged in your sheets, which can, unfortunately, further irritate your skin, according to Dr. Zeichner.
Now, as you strip your mattress, lug around your hamper, and remake your bed, just remember: Nothing beats the simple luxury that is sliding into crisp and clean sheets!
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