Here’s How Often You Should Wash Your Sheets | Banner Health

If you asked ten different people how often they washed their sheets, you’d probably get ten different answers. And at least one of those people would likely say, “Not as often as I should.”

From dead skin cells to makeup to body fluids to sweat, a lot of stuff can transfer from your body to your sheets in the night. And if you’re getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night, you’re spending 49 to 63 hours between your sheets every week. We turned to Brandie Beuthin, RN, regional infection prevention director at Banner Health in Arizona, for an expert answer on how often to wash your sheets. Here’s what she told us.

What’s the recommended timeframe for washing your sheets?

“For most people, washing your sheets once a week is a good general rule of thumb,” she said. People with severeallergies或者asthmamay want to wash their sheets every three or four days. More frequent washing can help remove dust, dander and pollen that can trigger symptoms.

而且，如果您的宠物在床上睡觉，您可能需要每三到四天的时间表就可以接受。那是因为宠物可以在床单上添加体液和皮屑。如果您在床上吃饭或大量汗水，您可能还想更频繁地洗床单。

It’s a good idea to wash your pillowcases, towels and blankets on the same schedule.

And you should wash new sheets since they may contain chemical residue from the manufacturing process.

What health problems could you develop from dirty sheets?

“Two of the best researchers in the field of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona, Drs. Kelly Reynolds and Chuck Gerba, have done extensive research on laundry and reducing the risk of getting sick,” Beuthin said. The researchers found that dirt, skin cells and bodily fluids such as mucus and saliva help germs and dust mites survive.

Dust mites can make allergy symptoms flare.
Dirty sheets can makeeczema和acneworse.
Bed bugs, fleas and lice can breed in the dead skin cells in dirty sheets. They have to get into your home from elsewhere, but dirty sheets can give them a place to multiply.

How can you wash your sheets properly?

When you wash your sheets, it removes the debris that helps germs survive and reduces your risk of exposure and getting sick,” Beuthin said. You can check the instructions on your sheets for any special care when laundering. In most cases, washing your sheets on a typical wash cycle with detergent is sufficient to clean your sheets properly.

One tip:You can pick up germs on your hands when transferring wet laundry from the washer to the dryer. So, after you put your clothes in the dryer, you should wash your hands.

What steps should I take if someone in my home is sick?

呼吸道病毒的细菌可以生存几天，而有些导致腹泻的细菌可以生存数周。细菌可以活数周，甚至可以繁殖。您应该尽快清洗任何弄脏的床上用品，并在某人生病时定期清洗床单。

The bottom line

Washing your sheets regularly—once a week for most people—can get rid of the dead skin cells, makeup, body fluids and sweat that can build up on them. If you think you might have skin problems related to your sheets,connect with a Banner health care provider咨询。