How to Wash Bed Sheets

How Often Should You Wash Bed Sheets?

Bed sheets should be washed every 1–2 weeks. While they may look clean, sheets accumulate sweat, dead skin cells, body oils, and dust mites rapidly. If you sweat heavily at night, have allergies, sleep with pets, or eat in bed, wash weekly. For most people, every 1–2 weeks strikes the right balance between hygiene and fabric longevity.

Step 1: Sort by Fabric and Color

• Wash white sheets separately from colored sheets to prevent color transfer
• Wash cotton sheets separately from delicate fabrics like silk or bamboo
• Don't mix sheets with heavy items like jeans or towels — the friction causes pilling

Step 2: Use the Right Water Temperature

• White cotton sheets: Hot water (140°F / 60°C) kills dust mites and bacteria most effectively
• Colored cotton sheets: Warm water (104°F / 40°C) cleans well while preserving color
• Bamboo, linen, or microfiber sheets: Cold or cool water to prevent shrinking and preserve fabric
• Silk sheets: Cold water, gentle cycle, or hand wash only

Step 3: Choose the Right Detergent and Cycle

Use a regular liquid detergent for cotton sheets — avoid powder detergent which can leave residue in the fabric. Use the normal cycle for cotton and the gentle cycle for delicate fabrics. Don't overload the machine — sheets need room to agitate and rinse properly.

For extra freshness and to eliminate dust mites and bacteria, add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse cycle — it kills 99.9% of bacteria even in cold water without bleaching.

Step 4: Dry Properly

• Cotton sheets: Tumble dry on medium heat — remove while slightly damp and smooth out to prevent wrinkles
• Delicate fabrics: Air dry flat or hang — avoid high heat which causes shrinking
• Add wool dryer balls to reduce drying time and keep sheets soft without fabric softener
• Make sure sheets are completely dry before putting back on the bed — damp sheets develop mildew quickly

How to Keep Sheets Fresh Between Washes

• Air your bed out every morning — pull back the covers for 15–30 minutes before making the bed to allow moisture to evaporate
• Use a mattress protector to reduce how much sweat and oils reach the sheets
• Shower before bed to reduce the amount of body oils transferred to sheets

Quick Tips for Bed Sheet Care

• Wash pillowcases more frequently than sheets — every week, as they contact your face directly
• Rotate between two sets of sheets so each set gets adequate rest between uses
• Store clean sheets folded inside one of their own pillowcases to keep sets together
• Replace sheets every 2–3 years — fabric thins and loses softness over time

Recommended Products

• Lysol Laundry Sanitizer — kills dust mites and bacteria in every wash
• Wool Dryer Balls — soften sheets naturally and reduce drying time