Taking good care of your bed sheets ensures they last a long time and, most importantly, they stay clean. Dirty sheets can cause acne and other health problems including infections and allergy attacks. 

So taking care of your sheets is a serious matter, both for your health and your sleep quality. Nothing feels better than sliding into clean, fresh and crisp sheets. So here’s a quick guide on how to take care of your bed sheets, including laundry, drying and storage. 

How Often Should You Change Bed Sheets?

Let’s first get this very common question out of the way? Exactly how often should you change and clean your bedsheets?

It depends on a number of factors such as how sweaty you get at night, how sensitive you are to allergens and whether you have acne-prone skin. 

For most people, the standard recommendation is to change sheets (as well as the pillowcase and duvet cover) at least once a week. 

If you get frequent night sweats, your pet sleeps on your bed or if you typically don't take an evening shower, your bed is going to get dirtier a lot quicker. Change your sheets twice a week. 

If you have respiratory allergies or any other respiratory condition like asthma, 2-3 times a week is the best frequency for changing your bedsheets. It ensures your bed doesn't build up too many allergens that you start getting respiratory issues when you go to bed. 

This is especially important in spring and summer when there are more airborne allergens like pollen, dust, dust mites and mold spores. 

The same goes if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin. All that build up of dead skin cells, dirt, oils and bacteria on your sheets can cause a breakout. We also highly recommend getting some antibacterial sheets like the Hercleon Jax sheets. They not only kill acne-causing bacteria, they also stay fresh and odor-free for longer, so you don't have to wash them as often. 

How to Wash and Dry Bed Sheets The Right Way

The most important part of taking care of your bedsheets is, of course, washing them. The first step is to check the care label for the washing instructions. Some types of sheets like polyester and cotton are pretty hardy and don't need particularly delicate care. 

But if you have bamboo, silk, linen or Tencel sheets, you have to be very careful washing and drying them to avoid shrinkage and other kinds of damage. 

Most sheets should only be dried on a low setting while extra-delicate sheets like silk should only be air-dried. You can tumble dry bamboo, linen and other natural or semi-natural sheets, but air-drying extends their lifespan. 

How to Store Bed Sheets

Proper storage is part of taking care of your bedsheets. Unless you are putting the sheets right back on your bed, fold them neatly and store them in a dry place. 

Be careful about putting them inside a closet. Most closets tend to build up with moisture, which can cause mold and mildew to grow on your bedsheets. Make sure the closet is well ventilated or add a moisture absorber bag inside. 

If you are storing the sheets somewhere in the open, put them in a breathable fabric bag or a spare pillowcase. This keeps them dry while preventing dirt and allergens from settling on them. Do not store sheets in a plastic bag as that can cause excess moisture buildup inside, leading to a moldy smell. 

Finally, never store dirty, or even semi-dirty sheets or clothes together with clean sheets. This will contaminate the clean sheets with odors, dirt, allergens and bacteria. 

Additional Care Tips for Your Bed Sheets    

• Air your sheets for at least half an hour each day after you wake up. Just strip the duvet off the bed to expose the sheet then open the windows. This will dry any moisture buildup and help freshen up the linens. 
• If possible, don't eat on your bed. Even tiny crumbs falling on the sheets attract bacteria, odors and pests. There’s also a risk of staining the sheets. 
• If you get a stain on the sheets, spot-treat it immediately. 
• Take a shower before you get in bed each evening. It will drastically reduce how dirty your sheets get. You may not see it but your skin and hair drag in lots of dirt and debris from outside. There’s also sweat, body oils, skin products and dead skin cells. 
• Because they are made with fewer or no harsh chemicals, linen sheets are good for your health, especially your skin. They are particularly ideal for babies and people with sensitive skin.