Doing laundry for our clothes is pretty intuitive — but have you ever wondered how often we should actually be washing our towels, bedsheets, and pillows?
Ahead, you’ll find tips on how often we should be washing these items (which is probably more than you think):
Towels are a piece of cloth used to wipe down clean bodies, right? So, they’re technically clean? The truth is, the more we use our towels and the longer they stay damp, the more hospitable the environment becomes for microbes, including harmful ones.
That means we risk picking up these microbes every time we dry our hands and bodies. Dr. Alok Vij, MD, told the Cleveland Clinic that damp, dirty towels can cause outbreaks of fungal and viral infections, as well as flare-ups of “eczema or atopic dermatitis.” He added that towels can also become a hotbed for “allergens,” especially if we keep our windows open.
Laundry expert Zach Pozniak of Jeeves NY, a fourth-generation dry cleaner, shared with BuzzFeed: “Washing towels after every use will keep them as clean as possible; however, their lifespan will be reduced dramatically. Ideally, the sweet spot is washing them every few uses or about once a week.”
Bedsheets: once a week (depending on the environment).
If we’re sleeping the recommended 7-8 hours per night, that means we spend about a third of our days in bed. Naturally, this will cause a buildup of sweat, dead skin cells, and dirt and grime in our bedsheets.
To prevent “a buildup of contaminants” that can lead to “skin irritation,” “acne breakouts,” or even flare-ups of “allergies, asthma, or eczema,” washing sheets frequently can help reduce those risks, Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a New York–based dermatologist, told Time. Once a week is a good place to start.
A weekly wash will also help prevent sheets from “yellowing caused by oxidized sebum (body oil),” Zach told BuzzFeed. For the freshest-looking sheets possible, he added, the sooner the wash, the “less of a chance [for sebum] to yellow your sheets and bedding.”
Pillows: every three to six months.
Unlike pillowcases, which should be washed once a week (ideally, along with your bedding), pillows themselves have a bit more leeway, but they should still be washed regularly.
Angela Brown, host of the Ask a House Cleaner show and podcast, told Newsweek, “Regular washing helps to remove sweat, body oils, dust mites, and allergens that can build up over time.” Mold, stemming from drool, sweat, and humidity, is another risk that can develop if we don’t wash our pillows regularly.
For pillows, “every three to six months is standard for the average household,” said Angela. To extend their washing cycle, purchasing pillow protectors is an option; however, they would need to be washed every one or two weeks.”
Key takeaway: To prevent bacteria and allergens from building up in our towels, bedsheets, and pillows, a routine washing schedule is recommended by experts. It will help prevent skin irritations and also help with product longevity.
Washing cycles also vary per environment. For example, in the summer or in a more humid climate, upping the cleaning frequency helps keep mold, mildew, and bacteria from multiplying. And to conclude, Zach shared these helpful wash tips:
Were you surprised by the laundry cycles of towels, bedsheets, and pillows? Do you have any cleaning tips to add? Let us know in the comments!
