Is Sleeping with Wet Hair Ruining Your Bedding? Why You Should Rethink Your Routine

Your heatless curls may make mornings more manageable, but are they worth it? Laundry experts weigh in on the negative effects of sleeping with damp hair.

Heatless curls are the hair sleeping hack taking over the internet. The method involves going to sleep with wet hair wrapped around a device that promises bouncy waves by morning. With little to no effort or heat, the heatless curl trend seems like a win-win for getting a little more shut-eye and preserving your strands. But is it actually the healthier option over using hot tools ? Unfortunately, in the case of going to bed with wet (or even damp) hair, the downsides might outweigh the benefits.

It turns out, going to bed with wet hair can cause serious issues with not only your bedding, but also your hair, skin, and overall health. So, if you’ve been in the habit of sleeping with damp locks, you might want to rethink your bedtime routine.

We consulted with Cyndi Bray, inventor of Wad-Free bedding products , to learn more about how to keep your bedding clean, along with alternative methods that can protect you, your bedding, and your beauty sleep.

Related: The 9 Best Pillow Protectors of 2024 Will Help Extend The Life of Your Pillows

Sleeping with Wet Hair Can Damage Your Bedding (And Your Health!)

More than a few risks are associated with climbing under the covers while your hair is wet, whether soaking or slightly damp. “If you go to sleep with still-wet hair, you are inviting a whole host of problems to your hair, health, and bedding,” Bray says. And it's not just your bedding at risk: This habit can wreak havoc on your health, too.

According to the Sleep Foundation , sleeping with wet hair can lead to hair breakage (especially if it's treated with chemicals), exacerbate skin conditions (such as acne) and even cause scalp infections due to fungal growth.

The good news is that the organization actually debunks the old wive’s tale that sleeping with wet hair can cause a cold. They also indicate that the negative effects on hair and skin have not been proven to affect everyone who sleeps with wet hair. But, is it worth the potential risk? If you have chronic conditions, such as an itchy, flaky scalp or clogged pores, and regularly hit the hay with damp hair, it’s a good idea to rework your routine.

Sleeping with wet hair can also damage your bedding. We all take care to prevent mold and mildew growth in damp places like the bathroom or basement—but bacteria can just as easily grow in your bedding. “Inevitably, wet hair will dampen the pillows, pillowcases, and sheets for hours at a time, providing a breeding ground that nasties thrive in,” Bray says. If enough moisture accumulates over time, you could be breathing in spores and exposed to mold toxicity. So, while sleeping with wet hair won’t cause a common cold, it still has the ability to make you sick.

“Any hair product applied before bed transfers to the bedding, potentially staining and weakening the fabric,” Bray adds. Undoubtedly, your health taking a toll is more dangerous, but it’s also important to know that you're unnecessarily shortening the life of your sheets, pillows, and mattress—which can be expensive to replace .

Related: How Often Should You Replace Pillows? Plus How to Make Them Last

How to Protect Bedding from Wet Hair

The simple way to avoid any of the above issues is to plan to wash your hair earlier in the day (or use a blow dryer) so that it is dry by bedtime. As Bray puts it, “It’s just a bad idea to go to bed with wet hair.” If it does happen, though, she suggests you strip the bed and wash your sheets and pillow cases first thing in the morning.

Since going to bed with wet heir is sometimes unavoidable, here are a few more ways to minimize the damage to both your bedding and yourself.

• Use a microfiber towel immediately after washing your hair to soak up as much moisture as possible.
• If you only have limited time or energy to dry your hair manually, focus on getting the roots, as they will have the most contact with your bedding throughout the night.
• If your hair is still damp, consider sleeping with a silk scarf or bonnet or on a silk pillowcase . Although the material can still attract bacteria when exposed to moisture, it will do a much better job of protecting your hair from damage.
• Make sure to wash sheets regularly (at least once per week as the suggested standard) and ensure that they’re dry before remaking the bed.
• Wash your pillows (not just the pillowcases) as well, especially since they’re most often in contact with your hair, scalp, and face. It’s recommended to do so roughly every three months and, surprisingly, experts suggest they be replaced every one to two years.
  

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