How Often Should You Change Your Sheets?
Chances are you’re either a night or morning person when it comes to when you shower — but here’s why one expert says it’s better to wait.
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As grown ups, it’s safe to say we’re no longer worrying about finding monsters under the bed. But what about what could be hiding inside our sheets?
Bodily secretions and sweat are just some of the things that inevitably make their way onto our sheets and pillows whenever we sleep. And for those who shower in the morning there’s likely an extra dash of dirt, oil and bacteria that your hair and skin have quietly collected throughout the day.
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But does our bath time actually make a difference to how often we should be changing our sheets?
In this article
- Why is it better for your sheets to shower at night?
- How can you tell when your bed sheets need to be changed?
- How often should you wash your bed sheets?
- What is the best type of material for bed sheets?
- Bed silk bed sheets and silk sheet alternatives
WHY IS IT BETTER FOR YOUR SHEETS TO SHOWER AT NIGHT?
Dr Leona Yip from Skin Partners in Brisbane says rinsing off before crawling into bed is a great way to minimise the amount of grime build-up.
“Showering at night is preferred to morning as this removes dirt, sweat and bacteria from our skin after a day’s work or exercise when exposed to environmental elements and pollution outside,” she explained.
But bathing before bed doesn’t mean you can leave your sheets unwashed for several weeks, according to dermatologist and specialist in skin health and disease, Dr Shreya Andric.
“Not washing sheets regularly exposes you to the microorganisms, pollen and animal dander that are commonly found on sheets and other bedding,” she said.
Similar to how floor bacteria doesn’t wait five seconds before transferring onto food that you’ve accidentally dropped, Dr Yip says our bodies continue to “shed dead skin cells, natural oils and sweat” as well as “smear skincare products” whenever we sleep – regardless of when we shower.
“Our bed sheets start to accumulate dirt, dead skin cells and dry flaky skin that our body sheds, in addition to sweat on warmer nights the more we sleep on it,” she explained.
“Our pillowcases cop it even more – natural skin oils from our face and scalp, skincare products and cosmetics, bacteria from our mouths and nose reduce freshness of the linen and increase build up of unpleasant smell.
“These factors may induce skin irritation, acne breakouts or flare eczema in some people.”
HOW CAN YOU TELL WHEN YOUR BED SHEETS NEED TO BE CHANGED?
Dr Andric suggests washing your sheets once there is a stain or discolouration, or the bed linen doesn’t feel as breathable compared to when they were first put on.
However, Dr Yip says “don’t wait” until your bed sheets show stains or start smelling bad before throwing them in the washing machine because “bacteria, grime and skin debris build up on the sheets way before smells and stains” become noticeable.
Here are several telltale signs that suggest your bed sheets need to be washed sooner than later:
• There is a bad smell.
• Sheets have stains or discolourations.
• Sheets start to feel more stuffy or warm.
• Sheets feel scratchy and rough.
• Sheets start pilling.
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HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR BED SHEETS?
Both dermatologists believe replacing your bed sheets once a week is ideal, although Dr Andric says you can stretch it to every two weeks.
But there are situations where it would be better to change your pillows and bed sheets a couple times per week, such as if you have a sweaty partner or regularly apply medicated creams before sleeping.
“If you have been sick or share a bed with someone else (including pets) you might want to wash your sheets more frequently,” Dr Andric said.
“Also, if you suffer from acne, you may want to change your pillowcase every couple of days as your pillowcase can accumulate oils and bacteria that can exacerbate existing acne and even make new acne breakouts more likely.”
“However, most of us live a busy lifestyle and changing sheets more regularly than once a week can become a chore and may not be possible. Be practical about it and do what you can,” Dr Yip added.
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But keep in mind that trying to get rid of as much bacteria as possible can actually potentially do more harm than good.
“Everyone needs bacteria on their skin – it is called your microbiome,” Dr Andric said.
“A weakened skin barrier affects the balance of our normal skin microbiome, which comprises resident bacteria needed to help keep our skin healthy,” Dr Yip added.
“Showering with soap-free wash and tepid water helps to reduce the load of bacteria which may be harmful to our skin – (but) remember that hot long showers are not good for our skin, as this strips natural skin oils and weakens our skin barrier.”
The Brisbane-based dermatologist also recommends moisturising after showering to help protect the integrity of your skin barrier and maintain a healthy skin microbiome.
WHAT IS THE BEST TYPE OF MATERIAL FOR BED SHEETS?
Our experts recommend silk as the ultimate fabric to invest in, especially if you have eczema or sensitive to dust mites.
“Silk fabric is breathable, cooling and wicks moisture. It is also resistant to house dust mites, therefore ‘hypo-allergenic’ to those who suffer from eczema and house dust mite allergy,” Dr Yip said.
“You want to choose something that is breathable so that you don’t get sweaty and uncomfortable as you sleep, which will therefore result in poor sleep quality. Silk pillowcases are great for creasing the skin less and not absorbing as much skincare product off the face,” Dr Andric added.
Dr Yip also points out silk doesn’t absorb skin oils, skin debris and skincare products so “there is less chance of remnants clogging skin pores to aggravate breakouts”. Plus, using silk minimises skin friction, which can help “cause less skin creasing during sleep” and “reduce sleep lines and wrinkles”.
It even reduces the risk of hair tangling and frizziness when you wake up (i.e. bed hair).
The downside is that silk sheets are expensive and difficult to clean, although Egyptian cotton and sateen sheets work as good alternatives.
“For comfort and durability, cotton sheets are best – 100 per cent cotton is natural and breathable. If you are allergic to dyes and chemicals, you may want to consider sheets made from organically grown, natural, undyed cotton fibres,” Dr Andric suggested.
“Regardless of fabric, good bed linen hygiene is most important,” Dr Yip said.
BEST SILK BED SHEETS AND SILK SHEET ALTERNATIVES
Want to freshen up your sheet collection? Here are a few silk bed sheets and silk alternatives to check out.
*Prices reflect queen-size bedding, unless stated otherwise.
Sheet Society Fleur Silk Fitted Sheet, $580, THE ICONIC
What you should know
For silk sheets with a difference, Sheet’s Society Fleur Silk range has a soft matte sandwashed finish, leaving an even softer feel (similar to suede). It drapes beautifully and has less of a shine compared to non-sandwashed silk, which is great if you want to create a sense of effortless elegance in the bedroom.
These 19 momme silk sheets have 45cm deep sides and contain a zipper to keep everything in place. And if you have allergies, the Fleur Silk sheets are naturally hypo-allergenic and odour resistant. They’re also certified by Oeko-Tex, so you can relax knowing your sheets are free from up to 350 toxic chemicals.
But the best part is that these pieces come pre-washed and ready to use.
If you prefer to have a set, you can opt for a quilt cover and up to four standard or kingsize pillowcases. Colours to choose from include moss, mauve and beige.
19 Momme Seamless Silk Fitted Sheet, $209, LilySilk
What you should know
Don’t want to fork out big bucks for bed linen, but still want the luxury silk experience? Take a look at these charmeuse silk fitted sheets from LilySilk. They have a 400 thread count and offer an extra deep fit, which is ideal for anyone with thicker mattresses. Aside from being breathable, skin-friendly, glossy and soft, these bed sheets are also Oeko-Tex certified.
It’s available in a variety of colours, including light blue, navy blue, rosy pink, black, natural white, dark teal, deep purple, silver, lavender, taupe and the brand’s LILYÁURE undyed natural golden shade.
“Perfect for me. It helps keep my very long hair from tangling overnight and feels so luxurious to sleep on,” a customer wrote.
“Love the feeling of this on my skin,” another reviewer posted, rating it five stars.
“Really good quality material! Comfy and breathable.”
Egyptian Cotton Blend 600TC Sheet Set, $399.99, Sheridan
What you should know
Featuring a sateen finish and 600 thread count, these Sheridan sheets will make you want to stay in bed all day. You can also personalise the set with your name or add initials for an extra cost to make the perfect gift. It’s available in several colours, including Nocturnal, Whisper Green, Peach, Soft Gold and Snow.
“Exquisite sheets, crisp and cool but so silky at the same time! My new favourite sheets. A little bit of luxury every day. Generously cut too, they don’t skimp on the size like some other brands,” an impressed reviewer posted.
Bamboo Signature Sateen Flat Sheet, $149, ettitude
What you should know
If bamboo sheets are on your wishlist, make sure to check out ettitude. Made from 100 per cent bamboo lyocell, these bamboo sheets are breathable and hypo-allergenic so they’re ideal for hot sleepers and anyone with sensitive skin.
“I bought these sheets as a house-warming gift to myself, and they are so beautiful! Exceptional quality, silky soft and they keep me nice and warm in an Aussie winter. I will be buying another set for when these are in the wash!” a happy customer posted.
“Comfortable and stylish, they match our decor perfectly and the satin-esque feel to them means you don’t get too hot in the summer!” another wrote.
Looking for more tips? We have guides on the best mattresses, best mattresses for back pain, best pillows, best cooling toppers, best front load washing machines, best dryers and more.
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