How Often Should You Wash Your Bedding? Science-Backed Advice

Most people spend roughly one-third of their lives in bed. Sleep is far more than a period of inactivity: it is vital to healthy brain function and general wellbeing. Although we tend to concentrate on the number of hours we sleep, the standard of the environment in which we sleep is important as well.

A freshly made, inviting bed - with clean sheets, comfortable pillowcases and newly laundered blankets - feels pleasant and can help us rest more effectively.

Yet how frequently should bed linen actually be washed?

A 2022 YouGov survey found that only 28 percent of Britons wash their sheets weekly. Remarkably, many respondents said they wait considerably longer, with some going eight weeks or more before laundering them.

What does the evidence-based advice say?

Here is what builds up in your bed each night, and why washing bedding regularly involves much more than simply keeping it looking clean.

While we sleep, we lose hundreds of thousands of skin cells, release oils from the sebaceous glands and perspire as much as half a pint of fluid - even when we have showered immediately before going to bed. Our skin is home to millions of bacteria and fungi, and many of these end up on sheets, pillows and duvets as we move in our sleep.

Fresh perspiration may have no smell, but skin bacteria - especially staphylococci - break it down into odorous compounds. This often explains why you can wake with body odour despite having gone to bed clean.

Microbes are not the only issue. Throughout the day, our hair and skin pick up dust, pollutants, pollen and allergens, all of which may be deposited on bedding. These substances can provoke allergies, impair breathing and worsen bedroom air quality.

Dust mites, fungi and other unseen bedfellows

The skin particles we shed overnight provide food for dust mites, microscopic organisms that flourish in warm, moist mattresses and bedding. Although the mites are not harmful themselves, their faecal droppings are powerful allergens that may worsen eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Beds are also attractive to fungi. Certain varieties, including aspergillus fumigatus, have been identified in used bed pillows and may lead to severe lung infections, particularly among people with weakened immune systems.

Sleeping alongside pets makes this microbial gathering even more active. Pets bring additional fur, dander, soil and, at times, traces of faeces into sheets and blankets, meaning these items should be washed more frequently.

So, how regularly should you launder your bedding?

Sheets and pillowcases

• When: Wash weekly, or every three to four days if you have been unwell, perspire heavily or share your bed with pets.
• Why: This clears away sweat, oils, microbes, allergens and shed skin cells.
• How: Use detergent and wash at 60°C or above to eliminate bacteria and dust mites. For more thorough sanitisation, tumble-dry or iron the items. To deal with dust mites within pillows, freeze them for at least 8 hours.

Mattresses

• When: Vacuum no less than weekly, and air the mattress every few days.
• Why: Perspiration raises moisture levels and produces an ideal environment for mites to multiply.
• Tips: Fit a plastic or allergen-proof mattress protector, and replace the mattress every seven years to preserve hygiene and support.

Pillow interiors

• When: Launder every four to six months, having checked the care label first.
• Why: Bacteria and mould can accumulate within the internal filling.
• How: Wash the pillow fully, then ensure it is completely dry to prevent fungal growth.

Blankets and duvet covers

• When: Wash every two weeks, or more frequently when pets sleep on them.
• Why: These materials retain shed skin, sweat and allergens.
• How: Launder at 60°C, or at the highest temperature permitted by the care label. Some advice suggests handling them like towels: frequent, hot washes keep them hygienic.

Duvets

• When: Clean every three to four months, based on how often they are used and whether children or pets share your bed.
• Why: Despite a cover, body oils and mites will eventually make their way into the filling.
• How: Consult the label: while many duvets can be machine-washed, others need professional cleaning.

Your bed might appear clean, yet microbes, allergens, mites and irritants can accumulate there quickly. Laundering your bedding is not merely about freshness; it is also a health consideration.

Routine washing gets rid of the biological mixture of sweat, skin, dust and microbes. This can lessen allergic responses, help prevent infections and control unpleasant odours. As research continues to demonstrate how deeply sleep affects matters ranging from heart health to mental clarity, maintaining a hygienic sleep setting is a modest but meaningful investment in your wellbeing.

So, strip the bed, wash the sheets and freeze the pillows. Your microbes - and your sinuses - will be grateful.

Sweet dreams - and happy laundering.

Primrose Freestone, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology, University of Leicester

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.