How Often Should You Wash Your Bedding?

You probably know the importance of washing your sheets regularly . Doing so helps combat the buildup of unwanted bedfellows such as bacteria, dead skin cells, and dust mites. But when was the last time you washed your blanket, comforter, or duvet? How about the pillows you rest your head on every night?

To find out how often to wash seven bedding items and the best ways to do it, we talked to two experts - a dermatologist and a laundry pro. Here's what you need to know.

1. Sheets

Sheets have a direct route to your skin, so experts recommend washing sheets weekly. That's because they can accumulate dead skin cells, dust mites, and bacteria, as well as oils and creams from products we apply to our skin.

Laundering sheets in hot water with a gentle fragrance-free detergent is the most skin-friendly way to wash them; it is also the best method if you have eczema or other skin issues.

But if you sweat a lot at night, have oily skin, or use a lot of skin-care products before bed, you may benefit from washing your sheets more frequently, says Erum N. Ilyas, MD , a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia.

2. Duvet Cover

A duvet cover goes over a comforter or other bedcover, and it can be removed and laundered as needed. Although it can take some wrestling to get the cover back on the insert, the cover itself is generally easier to wash than a bigger comforter.

As for how often to do it, that depends on whether you use a top sheet, says Patric Richardson , a laundry expert known as the "Laundry Evangelist" and the author of Laundry Love. If you do not use a top sheet (also called a flat sheet), treat the duvet cover like a sheet and wash it with the same frequency as your sheets. If this sounds like a hassle, you may want to pop a top sheet on your bed.

If you always use a top sheet, then your cover still needs a wash on occasion because it's not completely protected from your skin. (Ever notice that the top, by your face, can become discolored over time?) Richardson recommends that those who use a top sheet wash their duvet cover every four to six weeks.

3. Comforter

The same washing rules apply for a comforter as a duvet cover, but because it's one piece, it comes with its own challenges.

Comforters can be big and bulky, so make sure you add these to the wash alone. Be careful not to overstuff the laundry machine, says Dr. Ilyas. "For front-loading washing machines, you should be able to comfortably place your arm in the machine on top of the [items] with plenty of space," she says. Washing will release dirt from the items, and the space is needed so that the dirt can be rinsed out of the machine - not deposited back into fabrics.

Richardson recommends using laundry soap instead of detergent because it rinses cleaner from fabric. (Soaps are generally made from a base of natural animal or plant fat, such as coconut oil, whereas detergents are synthetic compounds.)

"Any residue left, which can happen often with detergents, results in down that's not as fluffy, so it won't be as warm or cool," he says. You can also opt for a detergent that's specially formulated to wash a down comforter or an extra-gentle detergent such as one made for washing baby clothes. Choose dye- and fragrance-free laundry products if you have sensitive skin or a skin condition such as eczema.

Drying is needed to puff up your comforter, and research indicates that the added benefit of a hot tumble dry is it effectively kills dust mites.

When you toss the comforter into the dryer, add three tennis balls, says Richardson. "These will add the loft back into your comforter," he says.

If your comforter is a down alternative, keep an eye on it during the drying cycle, and remove it right when it's dry, he says. Overdrying down alternatives can make the material inside stick together, which will compromise how well it works to manage your body temperature.

4. Mattress Protector

If you don't have a mattress protector, you may want to add one right away. A mattress protector guards the mattress against body fluids - everything from your child having an accident during the night to regular old sweat. Plus, if you have indoor allergies, using one designed to deter allergens will protect you from dust mites.

Richardson recommends washing mattress covers every few months. As a bonus, while your mattress is bare, you can take advantage of this time and sprinkle baking soda on the mattress itself to make it smell better. He advises letting it sit for 10 minutes to absorb any odors, then vacuuming it. "If you've never done it before, the results are dramatic," says Richardson.

5. Pillows

Aim to throw these in the wash once a month, recommends Ilyas. Even if you use pillowcases, you might notice that pillows can accumulate yellow staining. That may be from fluids like sweat and drool, but that's not all. "I suspect the increased use of skin-care products is contributing to the accumulation of residues here," she says.

After washing pillows, you'll need to dry them. They can become misshaped after a tumble dry, so just like with a comforter, Richardson recommends drying pillows with a few tennis balls to make them fluff up and go back to their job of providing neck support at night.

Another option is to cover pillows with pillow protectors (also known as dust mite covers) so that you don't have to wash pillows as frequently, says Ilyas. You still need a pillowcase, which goes over the pillow protector, and both of these can be thrown into the wash with your sheets. This can help protect the pillow itself from stains and potential odors, as well as dust mites that may accumulate in the pillow.

6. Pillowcases

Because pillowcases are in constant contact with the oils of your skin and hair, toss them in the weekly wash with your sheets. If you notice they're becoming dirty or stained before the week is finished, you may want to wash them even more frequently, or better yet, have an extra set of pillowcases on hand so you don't have to wash them midweek.

If an oily or discolored spot appears on pillowcases, Richardson recommends adding an oxygen bleach (a chlorine-free bleach that's color-safe) to the wash, which will break down oils and help remove stains.

7. Blankets

Blankets can be thrown between your sheet and comforter, or spread on top of your bed for some extra warmth on a particularly chilly night. Of course, you might also use blankets to snuggle up with on the couch.

When considering how often to wash blankets, consider whether your blanket is being used directly on your or your family members' skin, and how it's being used. "Blankets that are in direct contact with the skin should be washed with the same frequency as bedsheets," says Ilyas. "However, if these blankets are usually used over clothed skin, then frequent washing may not be as necessary."

Richardson washes his blankets once per month. If you have a weighted blanket, read the label to determine whether you can wash it. While many can be thrown into a washing machine, others, such as those filled with buckwheat, cannot be washed, says Richardson.

You can also hand-wash a weighted blanket by laying it longways in your tub, covering it with warm water and a bit of liquid soap or detergent, and swishing it around a couple of times. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Drain the water, fill it with clean water, and rinse twice. Let it lay there for six hours (it will be too heavy to move anyway), then toss it over a railing (if you have access to one) to finish drying.

Why It's Important to Wash Bedding Regularly

Because your skin comes into contact with your bedding, it's generally a good hygiene practice to wash bedding regularly. For one thing, oils and sebum from our skin can penetrate through duvet covers, sheets, and pillowcases, leaving behind a yellow residue on pillows and comforters, says Ilyas. This can trap odor in fabrics and allow it to build up.

Bodily secretions can also contribute to the flourishing of bacteria and other microbes in bedding, just as they do in clothing such as shirts and underwear that come into contact with armpit sweat and other excretions.

How often to wash bedding can vary from one household to another and can depend on several factors. Here are some that Ilyas recommends taking into account:

• Does this bedding item come in direct contact with your skin? Do you use a top sheet or just a blanket or duvet cover?
• Is your bedding likely to accumulate dust, dirt, or other debris?
• Do you use skin-care products before bed, such as lotions and oils? (When residue from skin-care products stays on bedding, bacteria can flourish.)

The Takeaway

Washing bedding regularly is important because sweat, oils, and skin-care products can transfer from your own skin to your sheets, comforter, and blankets. If left to linger long enough, this can cause an unpleasant odor and allow germs to grow. Wash sheets weekly and clean comforters, duvet covers, blankets, and pillows monthly.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking

Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy . We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.

Sources

1. How Often You Should Wash Your Sheets (and the Gross Reasons Why). Cleveland Clinic . February 16, 2023.
2. Laundry Care for People with Eczema. National Eczema Association .
3. Development of Tide Synthetic Detergent. American Chemical Society .
4. 5 Common Places Dust Mites Are Lurking. National Eczema Association . April 4, 2024.
5. Managing Indoor Allergen Culprits. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology . December 27, 2023.
6. Møllebjerg A et al. The Bacterial Life Cycle in Textiles is Governed by Fiber Hydrophobicity. Microbiology Spectrum . October 13, 2021.
7. Bockmühl DP et al. Laundry and Textile Hygiene in Healthcare and Beyond. Microbial Cell . January 7, 2019.

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Ross Radusky, MD

Medical Reviewer

Ross Radusky, MD, is a practicing board-certified dermatologist at the Dermatology Treatment and Research Center in Dallas. Originally from New York City, he graduated summa cum laude from the City University of New York and then received his MD from the New York University School of Medicine. There, he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and served as chapter president for two years. He completed his residency in dermatology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical Center, and at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Dr. Radusky practices general and cosmetic dermatology with a focus on the early detection of skin cancer, and provides patients with a personalized approach to looking their best at any age. He has authored articles and textbook chapters on the clues that our finger- and toenails may provide us about internal disease, as well as on comprehensive therapies for cosmetic dermatology and reversing the signs of skin aging.

Complementing his medical practice, Radusky has a strong passion for the cultural arts, particularly in expanding access to youths and seniors. He previously served as an artist instructor for the Rockaway Artists Alliance, a New York City nonprofit arts and education organization, and then served as both a board director and treasurer of the organization throughout his medical school training.

Radusky enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife Robyn, son Oliver, and poodle Lucy, where he can usually be found preventing photoaging and reducing the risk of skin cancer beneath an umbrella in a wide-brimmed hat. He is also the proud inventor of Sunshotz, the world's only sunscreen measuring cup, designed to help patients of all ages apply the proper amount of sunscreen needed to enjoy all the sun without the burn.

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Jessica Migala

Author

Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.

She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine , Real Simple, Woman's Day , Women's Health , Fitness, Family Circl e, Health , Prevention , Self , VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).

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