How Often Should I Change My Sheets?

A Lot More Often Than You Think

You should change or wash your bedsheets about once a week. If you sleep with a pet, it's about every 3-4 days.

However, many people don’t change their bedsheets as often as recommended. While the average American waits 24 days to change their sheets, some admit to changing them only once a year!

Overlooking the importance of regularly changing your bedsheets may appear insignificant, but the impact it can have on your sleep quality and overall well-being is surprisingly drastic. By prioritizing this simple task, you can experience unexpected and life-long benefits.

What’s lurking in your sheets when you don’t change them?

Out of sight means out of mind, right? While that might be true, you don’t want to fall victim to unwanted or invisible guests that wind up sharing your bed. Your sheets can become–well, a hotbed of unpleasantness, which in turn can cause some serious issues. Let’s go undercover and reveal what might be secretly lurking in your seemingly innocent bedsheets.

Shedding of dead skin and body oils: Every night, your body sheds dead skin and releases body oils. These microscopic organisms accumulate in your bedsheets over time, contributing to unpleasant odors.

Build-up of sweat and bodily fluids: Your body produces sweat as a natural cooling mechanism. However, sweat, along with other bodily fluids like saliva, urine, and even menstrual fluids, can find their way into your bed sheets. These fluids create a damp environment, which is ideal for the growth of bacteria and fungi.

Bacteria and fungi growth:If left unchecked, this microbial growth can lead to various health concerns, including skin infections, respiratory issues, and allergic reactions.

Allergens like dust mites and pet dander:Dust mites are microscopic creatures that feed on dead skin cells and can trigger allergic reactions in some people. Making matters worse, dust mites leave behind carcasses and even fecal matter. (Gross!) Additionally, if you have pets, their dander (tiny skin flakes), and fur can also accumulate in your bed sheets, further exacerbating allergies.

Why Don’t People Change Their Bedsheets?

It turns out that there are a few reasons behind this (very) common hygiene oversight:

• Lack of Awareness: People are simply unaware of the recommended frequency for changing bedsheets.
• Busy Lifestyles: With work, family, and other commitments, changing bedsheets might not be a top priority on their to-do list.
• It’s Inconvenient: Changing bedsheets can sometimes be seen as time-consuming. Stripping the bed, washing and drying the sheets, and making the bed again can feel like a hassle.
• They don’t look dirty: Since bedsheets are often not visibly dirty, the urgency to clean them can be lacking.

What are the benefits of changing your bedsheets regularly?

It goes deeper than the sheets. The simple act of swapping out your bedsheets holds the potential for significant gains.

1. Heightened Hygiene Game: Building an awareness to steer clear of dirt, sweat, and odor in your bedsheets can positively influence how you participate in other areas of cleanliness in your life, ensuring a healthy lifestyle in and out of the bed. Changing the sheets, or, if you want to go a step further, even vacuuming your bed can greatly improve your sleep conditions. If you're lucky enough to be sleeping on BEDGEAR's M3 Mattress, then you know it's the only mattress you can clean from the inside out, so you can deepen your cleaning by removing any dust, dander, or allergens, and really get to the bottom of the dust pile.
2. Enhanced Physical Health: Don’t let stress get the best of you! Reducing stress levels is essential for maintaining good physical health, and changing your bedsheets regularly can promote a state of relaxation. Coming home to a bed complete with clean sheets has a calming effect and can help alleviate stress accumulated throughout the day. It’s important to note that finding the best pillow that suits your sleep position can have a significant impact on the way your neck and back feel the following day.
3. Improved Sleep Quality: Nothing feels better than crisp, cool, clean sheets after a long, hard day. Reports found that 73% of people slept better on fresh sheets. And remember, Sheets that wick, don’t stick! Check out BEDGEAR’s Dri-Tec Performance sheet set, engineered to effectively wick moisture away from your body and promote better breathability. Allow your body to rest and recover more efficiently, a vital foundation for leading a strong and vibrant life.
4. Superior Self-Respect: TTaking the time to change and maintain clean sheets demonstrates a level of self-care and self-respect. This act can boost your self-esteem and improve your self-image, leading to a more positive mindset.
5. Deeper Sense of Appreciation: Climbing into a bed with fresh, clean sheets can elevate your mood and provide a sense of joy and satisfaction.
6. A Better Bedtime Routine: Establishing a bedtime routine that includes changing into clean sheets can create a positive association with sleep. This routine can signal to your brain that it's time to relax and prepare for rest. The quicker you can rest, the more sleep you can enjoy. And don’t forget, a better sleep routine may even include washing your mattress protector. Unlike your sheets that need to be washed once a week, a mattress protector only gets washed once per season. Getting your bed routine in order is the first line of business if you want to take actionable steps towards getting better, healthier sleep.

What are the signs it’s time to change the sheets?

Now that we've uncovered some of the dirty dwellers that can live in our sheets, let's throw a spotlight on the signs that indicate it might be time to change them.

: A clear indication that your sheets need to be changed is when they start to develop an unpleasant smell.

: If you or someone in your household is experiencing frequent allergies, asthma, or respiratory issues, dirty sheets can exacerbate those symptoms.

: Over time, bedsheets can accumulate dirt, dust, and other particles, which can lead to your sheets looking dull and discolored.

*Remember: Don’t wait for the signs before you take the time to change your sheets. Be mindful of the once a week–or at least once every two weeks, rule.

Conclusion:

If you’ve been lingering a little too long in the same sheets night after night, you could be sharing your bed with some other nasty neighbors. Remember to look out for some of the signs it might be time to swap the sheets.

Getting great sleep doesn’t have to be difficult. And simply changing your sheets more often is one way to get there. This small yet transformative step can help you live more in sync with your natural physical, mental, and emotional well being. Stay vigilant in prioritizing your sleep and overall health to reap the rewards of a balanced life.

…And don’t forget to change your sheets once a week.