Don't be one of those people who wait until their bed sheets are literally falling apart before you get new ones. Old and worn out bed sheets can be unhygienic, uncomfortable and bad for your sleep. They are also unsightly. 

Instead, you should replace your bed sheets when they get close to the end of their useful lifespan. How long that is depends on the type and quality of sheets, how well you take care of them and how often you use them. 

How Often Should You Replace Different Types of Bed Sheets?

Generally, bed sheets made from synthetic materials such as polyester last a shorter time compared to natural bed sheets. 

• Polyester and microfiber bed sheets, which are generally the cheapest you’ll find, last between 1 and 3 years depending on the quality of the sheets. 
• As for cotton bed sheets, their lifespan varies wildly depending on the quality of cotton and thread count. Cheaper cotton sheets made with short staple cotton may only last a couple of years while high quality long staple cotton sheets such as those made with Egyptian cotton can last up to 5 years or more. 
• Still on cotton sheets, lower thread count (under 200) sheets wear out quickly (usually in 2 years), but too high of a thread count (over 600) is also bad for longevity since it means the sheets are made with fine thread that’s weaker. 
• Other natural and semi-natural bed sheets including silk, linen, bamboo and Tencel generally last about as long as high quality cotton sheets — 3-6 years or more depending on how often you wash them. 

How to Tell You Need New Bed Sheets

You can usually tell when your bed sheets are getting a little too worn out. And no, it’s not when your sheets have gaping holes and tears. That’s too far past the expiry date. Here are some earlier signs to look out for. 

• Your sheets start to lose their soft texture. This indicates the fibers are weaker and are starting to fray. 
• You notice tiny holes or tears. You may also notice fraying along the edges. 
• Old sheets also tend to become discolored. White sheets may get a yellow tint while bright colored sheets begin to fade. They may also get stains that don't go away. 
• At some point, bed sheets accumulate so much sweat, body oils and other gunk that they never smell quite fresh no matter how many times you wash them. If you notice your bed sheets always have a lingering odor, it’s probably time to retire them. You can keep your bed sheets smelling fresh for longer by getting the Hercleon antimicrobial Jax sheets, but even these don't last forever.  
• After countless cycles of washing and drying, bed sheets shrink or lose their elasticity. You may notice that your fitted sheets don't fit as snuggly any more or your flat sheets are somehow smaller. 
• Your bed sheets don't feel as breathable or moisture-wicking as they did when they were new. 
• Your bed sheets have gotten thinner especially under where you sleep. Friction will, over time, eat into the fibers of the bed sheets. 

How to Make Your Bed Sheets Last Longer

The biggest enemy to the longevity of bed linen is, ironically, laundering it. Your washer and dryer are by far the most stressful experience your bed sheets go through. The high temperatures, the spinning, the snagging — it all eventually extracts a toll on your bedding. 

So the best way to make your bed sheets last longer is to wash them less, and wash them properly. But wait, isn’t washing bed sheets frequently important for hygiene?

It certainly is. You should try and change your bed sheets once or twice a week. To avoid having to wash your sheets too often, get 2-3 sets or more of good quality bed sheets. That way, you only have to wash them once every couple of weeks or even just once a month. 

Just as importantly, follow the care instructions provided. Be especially careful about the washing and drying temperature. Silk and linen bed sheets are especially delicate and need to be washed on a gentle cycle using special detergent. Some manufacturers will even go as far as recommending against machine drying in favor of air drying. 

Oh, by the way, bleach is generally bad for bed sheets. Using it too often will quickly deteriorate your linen. Only use it for spot treatments (to remove stains) and only use oxygen bleach, which is gentler.