Your bed gathers all sorts of dirt, oil, and sweat while you sleep. Learn how often to wash bedsheets so you can sleep soundly on fresh bedding.

You typically spend upwards of eight hours in bed each day, which leads to the buildup of dirt, body oils, dead skin cells, sweat, and other grime on your sheets and bedding. All this residue isn’t just unpleasant to think about; it can also attract dust mites, stress your fabric’s fibers, and cause health issues like allergies, skin irritation, and acne—not exactly ideal for a peaceful night’s sleep.

The average person changes their sheets about every 24 days, according to a recent survey. But that’s not the best routine for optimal hygiene and freshness. The ideal schedule for washing your sheets depends on several factors, but there are general guidelines that work for most people. Read on to learn exactly how often to wash your sheets, and how to keep them fresh if you need to stretch the time between washes.

How Often to Wash Sheets

Washing your bed sheets about once a week ensures they stay fresh on a regular basis. Plan to add this task to your weekly cleaning schedule to help make it a habit. Note that you don’t necessarily need to wash sheets the same day you strip your bed. Having a few different sheet sets makes it easy to quickly swap.

While once a week is a good rule of thumb, how often you should wash your sheets depends on how quickly they get dirty. For example, if you travel a lot and don’t sleep in your own bed every night, you can probably go a bit longer between washes. Conversely, if you or your partner tend to sweat a lot, or if you share your bed with a pet, your sheets will dirty faster. Allergy sufferers and people with sensitive skin might also want to change their bedsheets more often, perhaps every three to four days.

If washing your sheets weekly (or more frequently) isn’t feasible, there are a few steps you can take to extend the time between washes. First, wash your face and bathe or shower before bedtime to cut down on dirt, oil, and sweat. Have your pet sleep elsewhere to avoid hair and dander on your sheets, and avoid snacking in bed. Owning multiple sets of sheets makes this chore easier, allowing you to switch out your bedding and save laundry for another day.

Here are some tips to help you sleep on a clean, safe, and bug-free bed every night:

– Turn back the covers to let the moisture dry for a few minutes before making the bed.- Wash sheets once a week with hot water to disinfect them.- Vacuum the mattress a few times a year.- Wash bedding more often if you are sick, sleep nude, or go to bed without showering after a workout or being outside for a long time.- Wash pillows at least twice a year, as well as duvets and other coverings.- Change sheets often if you sweat a lot, eat in bed, or share it with kids or pets.

Apart from using hypoallergenic detergent, Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, suggests using fragrance-free detergent, but only in the recommended amount. Overdosing means that the detergent molecules can get trapped in fabric fibers and cause irritation.

Following these guidelines will help ensure your bed is a clean and comfortable place to rest each night, contributing to better sleep and overall health.