Comforters typically don't get as dirty as bedsheets, especially if you use a topsheet. But comforters still accumulate lots of icky stuff over time including allergens, dead skin cells, body oils and germs. 

If it’s been several months or, gasp, years since you laundered your comforter, it’s a lot dirtier than you think and could actually be a health risk. On the other hand, comforters are not meant to be washed daily or even weekly as that could drastically reduce their longevity. 

How often you wash your comforter depends on several factors. It can range from once or twice a month to just a couple of times a year. 

Why It’s Important to Wash Your Comforter 

It may not be obvious, but your bedding is home to a lot of unpleasant things. Your sheets can get especially dirty because they are in direct contact with your skin. They quickly accumulate dead skin cells, oils, skin products, dirt and even fecal matter. 

All this stuff can build up in your comforter as well, especially if you don't use a top sheet or a duvet cover. And don't forget all the dirt and other particles from the air and around the bedroom that settle on the comforter.  

One of the first things you will notice is an odor from your comforter. The smell can be musky, damp or moldy depending on what is lurking inside. 

But odor is the least of your worries. A build up of allergens, bacteria and fungi can cause health problems like acne, rashes, infection (including things like yeast infection especially if you sleep naked), and allergy symptoms. 

That’s not surprising considering you are spending 6-8 hours each night in a soup of dirt and germs. Your warmth and body moisture make your comforter the perfect place for these pathogens to thrive.  

Washing your comforter regularly maintains a hygienic sleep environment, which keeps you healthy and ensures nothing messes with your sleep. 

How Often Should You Wash Your Comforter? — It Depends on These Factors

Do You Have a Top Sheet?

Top sheets have become an issue of cultural divide, similar to the over or under toilet paper debate. I am strongly on the ‘definitely use a top sheet’ side of the debate. 

A top sheet separates your body from the duvet or comforter, which helps keep it cleaner and more hygienic.  

If you have a top sheet, you can wash your comforter once every 1-2 months. If not, we recommend washing it at least twice a month. 

Do You Use a Duvet Cover?

A duvet cover provides another layer of protection between your skin and the comforter. It also protects the comforter from dust, allergens, pet hair and other particles from around the bedroom. 

You only need to wash the cover once a week to keep your comforter clean. The comforter itself can go several months before you need to launder it. You can do it a couple times a year. 

By reducing how often you need to launder the comforter, a duvet cover ensures your comforter lasts a lot longer.  

How Much Do You Sweat in Bed?

If you sweat buckets in bed, the dampness will attract more bacteria and germs and make your bed more unhygienic. To keep your bed clean, you need to wash your bedding more frequently. 

For sheets and the pillowcase, 2-3 times a week is ideal. For your duvet, wash it every couple of weeks if you don't have a top sheet or duvet cover. But if the comforter is protected by a duvet cover, once a month should be enough to keep it clean. 

Do You Sleep Alone?

Couples sharing a bed will make the comforter a lot dirtier than one person sleeping alone. And it’s not just about having sex; two bodies produce more sweat, dead skin cells and body oils than one body. 

So you’ll need to wash your comforter a bit more often, maybe once or twice a month even if you have a top sheet. If you have a duvet cover, which provides better protection, cleaning the comforter once every 1-2 months will suffice. 

If you share your bed with pets, wash your comforter every couple of weeks to prevent a build up of dust mites, dirt, pet hair and bacteria. We highly recommend getting a pet sleeping pad or blanket that they can sleep on instead of directly on the comforter. 

Final Thoughts

If you want to wash your comforter as few times as possible, get the Hercleon Jax Comforter. It is breathable, soft, and is designed to prevent bacteria from growing on it. So it stays hygienic for longer, even if you sweat a lot at night.