As a general rule, wash your sheets once a week. If you sleep in them every night, weekly washing keeps them fresh and free of the body oils, sweat, and skin cells that build up quickly. You can stretch to every two weeks for a guest bed or if you shower before sleeping, but weekly is the standard for the bed you use nightly.
Why once a week
You spend roughly a third of your life in bed, and during that time your sheets collect perspiration, natural oils, dead skin cells, and traces of lotions and hair products. Left longer than a week, that buildup can dull the fabric, attract dust mites, and affect both freshness and skin comfort. A weekly wash keeps fine linens hygienic and helps them look and feel their best for longer.
When to wash more often
Some situations call for washing every three to four days. If you sweat heavily at night, sleep without nightclothes, share the bed with pets, have allergies or sensitive skin, or are recovering from illness, more frequent laundering is worthwhile. Hot summer months, when perspiration increases, are another time to wash a little more often.
When every other week is fine
A guest room bed that goes unused can simply be washed before and after visitors. Likewise, if you shower at night before getting into bed and don't sweat heavily, every ten to fourteen days can be acceptable. Pillowcases are the exception: because they touch your face and hair nightly, many people refresh them more often than the rest of the set.
Caring for them well
Whatever your rhythm, wash with a gentle, phosphate-free cleanser and skip chlorine bleach, which weakens fibers over time. Washing in the right water temperature and avoiding overcrowding the machine helps fine sheets rinse clean and last longer. Rotating between two or three sets also extends the life of each, since the fabric gets time to rest between uses.
This guide was prepared by Fig Linens and Home, a specialist in luxury bedding, bath, and table linens.
