How to Clean Your Bedding Like a Pro

Cleaning your bedding is not only important for hygiene, but also for your comfort and health. Dust mites, bacteria, sweat, and dead skin cells can accumulate on your sheets, pillows, and blankets, creating an unpleasant and unhealthy environment. By washing your bedding regularly, you can remove these allergens, odors, and stains, and enjoy a fresh and cozy bed. Here’s everything you need to know about washing your blankets, sheets, and pillowcases.

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How Often You Should Clean Your Bedding

The general rule of thumb is to wash your sheets and pillowcases once a week, and your blankets and comforters once a month. However, this may vary depending on your lifestyle, preferences, and health conditions.

If you have allergies or skin problems, you may want to wash your bedding more frequently. Sweat and body oils can also increase your washing frequency. If you tend to sweat more, oils from your skin and hair will accumulate and irritate skin or cause unpleasant odors. Pets can also add extra dander, allergens, and bacteria to your bed sheets, so make sure you wash your bedding regularly if you like to cuddle in bed with your furry friends.

If in question, it never hurts to give your bedding an extra clean — after all, we tend to spend more time in bed than in our clothes.

Pro Tip: Keep three sets of bedding on hand and rotate through them regularly to maintain their longevity.

What You Need To Clean Your Bedding

Not all bedding materials can be treated the same, but for the most common types such as cotton blends and polyester, a cycle in the washer and dryer should be sufficient. For satin, bamboo, or linen sheets and pillow cases, be sure to consult the fabric care label.

Washing machine

Stain remover

Laundry detergent

Soft-bristle brush

Dryer

Clothesline or drying rack

Iron

How To Clean Your Bedding Properly

Before Washing

Read the care labels on your bedding and follow the instructions for washing, drying, and ironing. Some materials require specific cleaning requirements or special considerations. The fabric care label will provide instructions on water temperature, bleach usage, and more.

Pre-treat stain, if applicable. If you had a spill resulting in a light stain, pre-treat the area with a stain remover and lightly scrub with a soft bristle brush.

Washing

Wash your bedding in warm or cold water. Be careful with hot water, as it can shrink and fade certain bedding materials like polyester blends. However, certain materials like cotton can benefit from hot water as it kills bacteria and dust mites.

Separate your bedding by color, as dark colors or reds can be prone to color bleeding. Also consider sorting by fabric and weight, and wash clothes in small loads to prevent tangling and wrinkling.

Drying

Dry your bedding on low or medium heat. Remove them promptly when they are slightly damp. This can prevent over-drying, shrinking, and wrinkling.

Air-dry your bedding whenever possible, especially for natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool. This can help preserve the softness and breathability of your bedding, act as a natural disinfectant, and brighten whites.

After Drying

Iron your bedding if needed, using the appropriate setting for the fabric. This can help smooth out the wrinkles and create a crisp and neat look, while taking care of any remaining germs or dust mites. Ironing can also help with storage.

If the washed bedding isn’t going right back on the bed, store your linens in a dry and cool place. Avoid storing in sunlight as it can lead to discoloration over time.

When to Replace Bedding

The longevity of your bedding relies on many factors, such as usage, materials, and quality. Sheets will likely need to be replaced more often than a comforter or duvet due to wear and tear over time.

In general, sheets and pillowcases should be replaced every 100 washes, or every 2–3 years. Keep an eye for these signs that it's time to replace your bedding:

Yellowing or discoloration

Signs of fraying or ripped seams

Stains that won’t lift

Holes or excessive pilling

Unpleasant smells, even after washing

Uncomfortable textures

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