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Table of Contents
- How Often Should You Change Your Bed Linen?
- When You Should Change Your Bed Linen According To Experts
- When You Should Change Your Bed Linen More Frequently
- The Importance Of Maintaining Clean Bed Linen
- How To Keep Your Bed Linen Cleaner For Longer
- Remember to Read Specific Washing Instructions
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts
How Often Should You Change Your Bed Linen?
At some point in our lives, we've all been told that it's important to change our bed sheets on a regular basis. But how often should you change them? Is once a week enough or could you get away with washing your bed linen every two weeks or so?
It can be rather time-consuming to wash and change your sheets regularly, so is it really all that important?
As bedding experts in the UK, Belledorm is here to give you helpful advice on how often you should change your bed sheets. We'll answer all your frequently asked questions and explain the importance of maintaining clean bed linen.
When You Should Change Your Bed Linen According To Experts
The general rule of thumb is that you should change your sheets around once a week. But what about your other bed linen? Most experts agree that pillowcases should be changed once a week and duvet covers should be changed approximately every two weeks.
Blankets and comforters can be changed every two to three months while pillows can be washed every three to six months. These items don't need to be cleaned as often as they are typically protected from dust and dirt by pillowcases and duvet covers.
When You Should Change Your Bed Linen More Frequently
While the average person can stick to the advice mentioned above, there are scenarios in which your bed linen should be changed more frequently. For example, if you are prone to night sweats you may want to change your sheets more than once a week.
Some other situations that may require you to change your bedding more often include:
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Your pets sleep on the bed with you
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You often eat in bed
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You sleep with a partner
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You have allergies that are affected by dust
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You sleep naked
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You go to bed without showering
During the hotter months, you are more likely to sweat while sleeping, so you should change your bed sheets more regularly during summer than in winter.
You should wash your sheets immediately if:
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They come into contact with bodily fluids, like blood, etc.
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You spill coffee, wine, juice, or tea in bed
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You notice there is a lot of dirt on your sheets
Regularly inspect your bedding for stains, dirt, and dust. You can do this when you make your bed in the morning. You can also use this time to inspect your bed linen for any tears and other signs of damage.
The Importance Of Maintaining Clean Bed Linen
Every night, our bodies shed dead skin cells, natural oils, and sweat. This creates a breeding ground for invisible bacteria. So, even if your sheets look clean after a few weeks without washing, they are most likely covered in dead skin cells and are in desperate need of a wash.
Here are a few other important reasons to maintain clean bed linen:
Get rid of dust mites
Dust mites refer to various species of household mites that feed on dead skin cells, shed by people or pets. Dust mites thrive on dirty bedding, so make sure you change your bed sheets regularly to avoid your bed becoming a dust mite breeding ground.
Kill germs
Germs and bacteria living in your sheets can lower your immune system and make you sick. Washing your bedding properly kills any germs hiding out in your sheets, ensuring you have the best chance of enjoying good health.
Better sleep
Sleep experts agree that the cleaner your bedding is, the more likely you are to enjoy a peaceful sleep. Maintaining clean bed sheets can improve your overall sleep quality. If you are battling to fall asleep and sleep through the night, you should try changing your bed sheets more regularly to see if it helps.
Keep allergies under control
Did you know that over 10% of the world's population is affected by dust allergies? If you find that you are constantly sneezing while in bed, it may be a good idea to try changing your bedding more than once a week. You may also want to consider investing in hypoallergenic bedding.
Overall wellbeing
Is there anything better than sleeping on top of freshly cleaned bed sheets after a long day at work? Keeping your bedding clean and changing it at least once a week helps you maintain an overall better mood and a sense of peace and well-being.
Personal hygiene
Washing and changing your bed linen should form part of your personal hygiene routine. Not only can this help your bedroom smell and look better, but it can also help boost your self-esteem and confidence.
How To Keep Your Bed Linen Cleaner For Longer
As you can see, it's very important to keep your bed linen clean, fresh and free from stains. However, you should also keep in mind that the more you wash your sheets and duvet covers, the faster they can deteriorate.
For this reason, you should avoid washing your bedding more than you need to.
You can also keep your bed linen cleaner between washes by:
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Avoiding eating in bed
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Not spending all day in bed
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Not allowing your pets to sleep in bed with you
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Dusting out your bed sheets every day when you make your bed
It's worth investing in good-quality bed sheets that will last longer than lesser-quality linen. You may also want to have at least three sets of bedding in rotation so you aren't constantly washing the same sets. It gives your bed sheets a break from the washing machine and expands their lifespan.
Having multiple sets also allows you to enjoy different colours and prints when you change bed sheets. It's also a good idea to ensure that each set is made from the same material, so sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases can all be washed together if needed.
Remember to Read Specific Washing Instructions
The way in which you should wash your bedding depends on things like the type of material, colour, thread count, etc. It's important to read specific washing and drying instructions if you want to maintain the quality of your bed sheets.
For example, our bamboo duvet set is machine washable at 40°C. You shouldn't bleach or dry clean the fabric; however, you can tumble dry or drip dry it. We also recommend washing colours separately and washing your bedding before use.
Sheets, duvet covers, pillows, and pillowcases should all come with detailed washing and care instructions. If you have any questions, you can always reach out to the manufacturers or the company you bought your bedding from.
FAQs
What type of bed linen is the easiest to wash?
Polycotton bed sheets are known for being incredibly easy to wash and maintain. They are perfect for busy individuals and families who are looking for an affordable bed linen option that is easy to care for.
How often do hotels wash their bed linen?
Hotels typically wash their bed sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers every few days.
Additionally, bed linen is always washed between guests. Even if a guest only slept in the bed for one night, the bed sheets and other bed linen will be washed before the next guests arrive. Hotel bed linen is also usually replaced every few years.
Is it okay to wash my sheets weekly?
Yes, it is okay to wash your sheets weekly. The general rule of thumb offered by experts is to change your bed sheets weekly. However, you may need to change them more than once a week if you eat in bed, allow your pets to sleep on your bed, or if you go to bed without showering.
Is good quality bedding worth it?
Investing in quality bedding is well worth it as you'll enjoy better sleep and bed sheets that feel soft to the touch. Additionally, quality bed linen is more likely to last longer as it can withstand many years of use, including washing and drying.
Final Thoughts
You should aim to change your sheets once a week; however, you will need to consider your lifestyle to determine if you need to change them more frequently. It's always a good idea to add reminders on your phone and keep track of when last your bed sheets were washed.
If you have a housekeeper who takes care of washing your bed sheets, make sure you let them know the recommended frequency. Additionally, inform them if you ever spill anything in bed and would like your sheets washed immediately.
When making your bed every morning, take the time to inspect your bedding and look for signs of dirt, skin cells, and dust mites. If your bed sheets look dirty, simply throw them into your laundry basket and wash them when you get a chance.
Washing your sheets regularly is an essential part of general hygiene and overall health and well-being. It's important to get into a habit of changing and washing your bed sheets so that it eventually becomes an automatic part of your cleaning schedule.
