Most people should wash their sheets every 1-2 weeks to minimize the buildup of sweat, dirt, and dead skin. However, you may need to wash your sheets more frequently if you sweat a lot, sleep with a partner, or let pets in your bed.
You’ll spend roughly a third of your life in bed—sleeping, scrolling, snacking, binge-watching shows, doing other things. That sacred space deserves to be as clean as your clothes (if not more). So, how often should you actually toss your bedsheets in the washing machine?
It’s easy to ignore the growing grime when you're tucked under cozy blankets, but here's the harsh truth: not washing your sheets regularly is downright disgusting. All of the sweat, dead skin, and bodily fluids (yep, we went there) leave you marinating in a bacterial buffet.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how often to wash your sheets, what happens if you delay laundry day, and how to launder your linens like a 5-star hotel.
How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets?
It’s best to wash your sheets every 1-2 weeks to keep them looking and feeling fresh and sanitary. This goes for all types of bedsheets, including cotton, linen, silk, and satin. Chances are you spend 50+ hours in bed every week, so regular washing gets rid of sweat, makeup, oils, and other grime that builds up while you snooze.
The weekly or bi-weekly washing suggestion is just a general guideline, so you might need to tweak it to fit your lifestyle.
If you share the bed with a partner or let pets snuggle up with you, expect to wash your sheets more frequently—once a week is a good rule of thumb here. The more bodies involved, the more sweat, body oils, and hair make their way onto your sheets. Sweaty sleepers should also stick to weekly washes, as excess sweat and body oils can leave sheets feeling grimy.
On the other hand, if you sleep solo and don't sweat much, you can probably get away with washing your sheets every two weeks. Ultimately, listen to your sheets—and your body—and wash as needed.
What Happens If You Don’t Wash Your Sheets Regularly?
If you don't wash your sheets regularly, they can accumulate dirt, skin cells (which attract dust mites), bodily fluids, and mold. In other words, your bed becomes a petri dish for all kinds of nasty stuff. This can trigger allergies, asthma, skin irritation, and acne.
We get it—washing your bedsheets probably isn’t your idea of “fun.” But neither is dealing with a bed teeming with bacteria. Choose your battles wisely.
How Often Does the Average Person Wash Their Sheets?
Spoiler alert: not enough. CBS News reports that 44% of Americans wash their sheets once or twice a month, while only 33% are weekly washers. 11% of adults wash their sheets just once a quarter. But even worse, 5% of adults admitted to only washing their bedsheets once or twice per year.
Excuse us while we barf.
How to Wash Your Sheets (the Right Way)
If you want to nerd out about laundry, check out our ultimate guide to washing any type of bedsheets. In the meantime, here are the basics:
- Check the care label on your sheets for specific instructions
- Pre-treat any stains
- Add laundry pods to your washer drum
- Use lukewarm water
- Dry the sheets on low heat
Pro Tip: Swap your standard detergent for Laundry Sauce to infuse your sheets with scents that suit your mood, like Australian Sandalwood, French Saffron, or Siberian Pine.
Should You Wash Your Pillowcases More Often Than Your Sheets?
Think about it: Your face is smushed up against your pillowcase for hours on end, picking up oil, sweat, makeup residue, and other face-related gunk. So, yes, pillowcases should be washed more than your sheets—ideally every week, or every 3-4 days if you’re prone to acne or have sensitive skin.
Don’t forget that your pillow is basically your face’s best friend or worst enemy. If your pillowcase is looking like it’s been through battle, it’s time for a wash.
Your Bedsheets Deserve the World’s Best-Smelling Laundry Detergent
Now that you’re on track with how often to wash your sheets (weekly, by the way), let’s talk about how to make them smell like they belong in a five-star hotel. There’s no point in washing your sheets with something that leaves them smelling like nothing or worse—like damp laundry that sat in the machine for a little too long.
That’s where Laundry Sauce comes in to save the day—laundry day, that is. Our luxury laundry pods aren’t just tough on grime, they make your sheets smell like heaven. Imagine dozing off to the notes of Australian Sandalwood, Egyptian Rose, or Indonesian Patchouli.
Warning: You may never want to leave your bed again after you catch a whiff of these fragrances.
