Textiles & laundry2 min read
How often should you change your bedding?
Sheets, pillowcases, duvets and pillows all need fresh air and washing — just not at the same pace. Here is a rhythm that is easy to keep.
By HouseRoutines team · Published
Quick answer: Sheets and pillowcases every 1–2 weeks; pillows and the duvet every 4–6 months.
We spend a third of our lives in bed, and our bedding quietly collects sweat, skin cells and dust along the way. Fresh sheets feel lovely — and they also help you sleep and breathe more comfortably.
A rhythm that works
- Sheets and pillowcases: every one to two weeks.
- Mattress protector: every month or two.
- Pillows and duvet: wash every four to six months, if the label allows.
- Mattress: vacuum and rotate every three to six months.
When to change more often
Go for weekly — or swap pillowcases mid-week — if you sweat a lot at night, if pets sleep on the bed, if someone has allergies or has been ill, or during hot summer weeks.
Washing tips
- Wash cotton bedding at 60 °C when the care label allows; it is more effective against dust mites.
- Dry everything completely before it goes back on the bed or into the cupboard.
- Air the bed for a while in the morning before making it — trapped moisture is what mites like.
Make it part of the week
Bedding fits naturally into a weekly routine. Pair it with changing the towels, and the bigger, rarer routines — pillows and duvet — can come back on their own every few months.
