How often should you really change your bed sheets? These factors could change the answer

We spend roughly 49 to 60 hours a week in bed, according to the US Sleep Foundation. During that time, sweat, body oils and dead skin cells build up in our bedding, even when it still looks clean.

How often should you really change your sheets? It might seem like a simple household question, but the answer isn't necessarily the same for everyone. Your sleeping habits, who shares your bed and even certain health conditions can affect how often you should reach for the laundry basket.

Some households may need to wash their bedding more often than they realise. So, what's the recommended schedule, and which everyday circumstances could mean it's time to change your sheets sooner?

How often should you change your sheets?

Spanish pharmacist Álvaro Fernández gave a straightforward answer: once a week, or every ten days at the latest.

That broadly matches the Sleep Foundation's advice, which recommends washing sheets weekly for most people. If you don't sleep in the same bed every night, you may be able to stretch this to around two weeks.

Regular washing removes the sweat, oils and skin cells that accumulate overnight. Making the bed and airing it each morning can help moisture escape, but neither replaces a proper wash.

When you should wash them more often

Some everyday habits can make bedding dirty more quickly.

• Pets on the bed: If your dog or cat sleeps with you, the Sleep Foundation recommends washing sheets every three to four days.
• Night sweats: If you regularly wake up sweaty, changing your sheets more frequently makes sense.
• Illness: After a bout of flu, wash bedding sooner if it has become sweaty or soiled.
• Allergies or asthma: More frequent washing may help reduce exposure to allergens for some people.

Why 60°C matters for dust mite allergies

If you have a house dust mite allergy, the Dutch Longfonds recommends washing sheets, fitted sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers at 60°C at least once every two weeks. At this temperature, dust mites die.

Always check the care label before washing. If an item cannot withstand 60°C, freezing may be an option for some materials, provided the item is suitable.

The Longfonds also recommends ventilating rooms regularly and keeping indoor humidity as low as possible, particularly in autumn and winter.

What about the rest of your bedding?

Sheets aren't the only items that need washing. The Sleep Foundation offers these general guidelines:

• Sheets and pillowcases: weekly
• Duvet covers: every two weeks to once a month
• Blankets and comforters: every two to three months
• Washable pillows: every four to six months

Check the care labels, as washing instructions vary between materials. If something becomes dirty or sweaty sooner, wash it sooner.

One easy trick is to keep a spare set of sheets. You can make the bed with fresh bedding straight away and wash the used set when it's convenient.

The takeaway? Start with a weekly wash, then adjust your routine to your household. Pets, sweating and illness can mean changing sheets sooner, while dust mite allergies make washing temperature especially important.