How Often Should You Wash Your Linens?

On average, people are changing their sheets every 24 days. While at first that may not sound too bad... think about how much you're probably sweating, shedding skin, drooling, sneezing, etc. in your bed. Do you really want to be sleeping in all that?

You probably don't know how often you should be washing sheets. It's likely more frequently than you're already doing, but who has the time? That's where linen services come in.

Read this article to find out how often and with what methods you should be washing sheets. If it sounds like too much for you, it may be time to learn about linen services and give Hamperapp a call.

Washing Your Linens

There are several reasons why it's important to regularly wash your linens.

First of all, it's just more pleasant. When you collapse into bed after a long day, freshly cleaned sheets feel so much better on your body than a dirty set. They'll also smell better, and can even smell like relaxing lavender, which can help you sleep.

Second, freshly cleaned linens can help with a number of health issues. If you are a frequent allergy sufferer, you may find clean linens make your allergies better, because they aren't building up dust.

Your skin will also thank you, because you won't build as much oil and dirt on your sheets. Acne will get better and you'll be at less risk for fungal skin infections.

If you or someone in your home is sick, you'll want to wash your sheets even more frequently! Sheets can hold onto germs, which is why hospital bedding is so carefully and regularly washed.

To prevent anyone from catching the illness or reinfecting the recovering person, wash sheets as frequently as possible, and wear gloves while handling them. Wash your hands afterwards.

What Kind of Detergent Is Best?

Now that you know why you should wash your sheets, you're probably desperate to make sure that you're doing it right. The good news is that it's a hard task to mess up.

Your first question may be what kind of detergent you should be using to wash your sheets.

If you have allergies or sensitive skin, choose a detergent that is 100% fragrance and dye-free. Even if you like the look or smell, these chemicals could give your skin unwanted reactions.

If you don't have allergies, the world of detergents is your oyster. Experiment with fragrances to find the one you prefer.

Make sure that whatever you choose is compatible with your specific washing machine. Some detergents are better for certain fabrics, colors, etc.

Consider what's most important to you when choosing a detergent. Are you most concerned about removing stains?

Are you worried about being eco friendly? Are you looking for the best scent? All of these concerns are met by different detergents. See our breakdown of the best detergents here.

In the end, the best detergent is the one that you like the best.

What Temperature Should You Use?

Before taking our advice, check the label on your sheets. They may come with instructions for proper care. You should always follow these instructions first to avoid damaging or destroying your linens.

Most of the time, you can trust a cold or warm wash to adequately clean your linens. The water agitation and detergent will do more than enough to remove smells, and cold water is often better for removing stains.

You can extend the life of your sheets by letting them dry on a line instead of a machine dryer. You never need to use dryer sheets.

However, there are some circumstances in which you should employ a higher heat setting. If your family is dealing with bed bugs or scabies, you should wash your sheets on the highest water temperature setting, and then dry them on high heat. This won't be enough to completely get rid of bed bugs (call an exterminator for that), but it'll be an important step.

How Often Should I Wash My Linens?

We keep saying that you should wash your linens regularly. But what does regularly mean in this scenario?

Sheets and pillowcases should be washed about once a week. However, if something becomes noticeably or significantly soiled, it should be washed right away instead. You can make sure you're getting to the end of the week with still fairly clean sheets with some preventative practices.

Never eat in bed. Shower before getting in bed, especially if you sweat during the day. Get high-quality cotton sheets to help regulate your temperature during the night, so that you aren't heavily sweating during your sleep.

As mentioned before, if you or someone else is sick, you should wash your sheets with even more frequency. Aim for washing the sheets of a sick person every three days or more if they are heavily sweating due to fever.