How Often Should You Change Sheets

Out of all the regular chores, you must do around home, one of the most annoying is often changing your sheets. In saying that, regularly switching out your linen is probably one of the most important jobs. It doesn’t matter whether you sleep in a convenient fitted sheet, flannelette sheets or one of the finest silk sheet sets; you’ll need to change and clean your sheets from time to time. 

So, how often should you actually change your linen? And what happens if you don’t change your bed sheets? Yes, we do have an extensive guide on buying sheets. But, in this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know when it comes to taking off your sheet sets, giving them a clean and putting them back on. Here’s what we’ll cover:

What happens if you don’t change your sheets enough

Factors that impact how often you should change your sheets

The best way to wash bed sheets

Step by step for putting on new sheets

How to know when it’s time to buy new sheets

The range of bed sheets at Briscoes

Let’s get into it!

What happens if you don’t change your sheets enough

We don’t mean to gross you out, but there are plenty of nasties that can build up and get stuck in your linen. Whether fitted sheets for a children’s bed, super king fitted sheets or anything in between, unwanted visitors can take hold if you don’t wash them regularly. These nasties could include:

• Fungi
• Bacteria
• Pollen
• Body secretions
• Sweat
• Skin cells

Especially if you have asthma or allergies, any number of these intrusions in your bed can cause a real problem. Not only that, but these unwanted guests can also build up over time to cause bad and musty smells. No one wants that!

Factors that impact how often you should change your sheets

So, how often should change those favourite fitted sheets with wide elastic all the way around? Well, there is no exact number. There is, of course, official wording from Healthline that dives into some of the health considerations, but generally, you should replace your sheets at least once a week. Some variables mean you may want to change and clean your linen more often. You’ll want to switch out your sheet sets more regularly if you:

• Eat in bed
• Sleep without pijamas
• Allow your pets in bed
• Leave make-up on at night 
• Only shower in the morning 

As with anything hygiene related, it’s often best to take a better-to-be-safe-than-sorry approach. When you sleep in the same bed every night, it is sometimes difficult to notice musty smells from your linen.

The best way to wash bed sheets

The most effective way to clean and wash your linen will depend on a few factors, including whether you’re working with brushed cotton, flannelette sheets, or an allergy-friendly polyester fitted sheet. No matter what sheets you’re working with, it’s essential not to just chuck them into the washing machine with the rest of your laundry. Given how they’re made, sheet sheets often require a more delicate approach to washing. 

Step 1: Check the label

Before washing your linen, you should always check the label. The label on your fitted sheets or non-fitted bed sheets should specify the best practice for your specific linen. This blog covers one of the most common methods for cleaning linen. However, if the label on your sheets contradicts what we’re suggesting, always follow the label. 

Step 2: Separate colours

Not everyone goes to the effort of separating colours when doing the washing. But, technically speaking, this is the right way to do laundry. Of course, if you’re cleaning your sheets on their own, this shouldn’t be an issue. However, if you want to wash your linen with your duvet cover, you may need to take the time to separate out colours. For example, if your sheets are white and your duvet cover is black, you want to avoid discolouring the lighter of the two.

Step 3: Check for stains

Before throwing your favourite fluffy flannelette sheets into the wash, you’ll also want to check for any large or obvious stains. If you notice marks, you may need to pre-treat that given area with a stronger spot cleaner. 

Top tip: At Briscoes, we have a wide range of laundry supplies, including laundry baskets and clothes airers, to help you with general washing. 

Step 4: Put your sheets in the washing machine

Now, it’s time to put your sheets in the washing machine. As we’ve mentioned, if your given linen says to hand wash, follow these instructions in the first instance. Otherwise, you’ll want to put your fitted sheet or non-fitted bed sheets on the cold wash setting. Then, use a regular wash cycle, but be sure not to overcrowd the machine. This way, all of the fibres in the sheet sets can be cleaned properly.

Step 5: Time to dry

Like any other washing or laundry, now it’s time to dry. There are many helpful online resources that offer advice for effectively drying laundry, especially during winter. However, you’ll usually want to dry your linen out on the washing line or on an airing rack. It doesn’t matter whether you’re trying to dry flannelette sheets, fitted sheets with wide elastic all the way around or sleek summer sheet sets; linen is relatively thin. This means it shouldn’t take too long to dry if in the right conditions. You can usually put your sheets in the dryer if you need to, but air-drying is preferred. This is because air-drying is more gentle on your sheets, meaning they’ll last longer.

Step by step for putting on new sheets

Now that your sheets are clean and dry, it’s time for the moment of truth… making your bed! It doesn’t matter what your desired fitted sheet depth is or whether you’re working with non-fitted bed sheets; not many people enjoy making the bed. However, changing your sheets doesn’t need to be an overcomplicated process. And, even if you’ve made your bed thousands of times, there’s no harm in learning new techniques or having a refresher of best practice. 

Step 1: Clear the area

First up, you’ll want to clean their area. We don’t mean that you must remove everything from your bedroom in anticipation of a big mess. Instead, you should start by brushing your mattress with your hand. This way, you make sure you have a blank canvas to work with and don’t leave any lumps and bumps that could make for an uncomfortable sleep. If using a mattress protector, check that it is in the right place and securely fitted to your mattress. You may even wish to give your mattress a quick vacuum before you put on fresh sheets to remove any dust and debris. 

Step 2: Put on your fitted sheet

These days, most sheet sets include a fitted sheet with wide elastic all the way around. Ideally, you have the correct size, whether a queen fitted sheet or fitted sheet for a children’s bed. If you’ve got the right size, all you need to do is cover your mattress with the fitted sheet. Then tuck the elastic underneath the mattress.  

Step 3: Put on your top sheet

Next up, it’s time to put on your top sheet. You’ll want to take the hemmed side of your top sheet and place it at the top of your bed. Then, lay your top sheet out, so that it evenly covers your whole mattress. All you’ve got to do now is tuck your top sheet underneath your mattress, apart from the hemmed top. This technique is called doing hospital corners. 

Top tip: If you want advice on looking after your bed, check out our guide to protecting your mattress. 

Step 4: Lay out your duvet

What you’ll want to do now is lay out your duvet evenly over your bed. Once laid out, pull the duvet down a bit so that you leave some room at the top end of your bed. You’ll want the top of your mattress to be about six inches away from the top of your top sheet. 

Top tip: If you want advice on other bedding, read our helpful guides, including your guide to duvet inners and your guide to buying pillows. 

Step 5: Fold over your top sheet

Lastly, and probably the easiest step, fold your top sheet over the top of your duvet to make a lip. And, just like that, your bed is made and ready for sleeping! Plenty of other online recourses are available if you’re looking for further advice on making hospital corners.

How to know when it’s time to buy new sheets

No matter how well you look after your sheet sets, eventually, they will need replacing. Because of this, it’s important to look out for obvious signs of ageing and damage. Things to look after that indicate it’s probably time for a trip to Briscoes include:

• Fading colours
• Thinning sheets
• Holes and tears

Having a few sheet sets per bed in your home means you can put a fresh set on as soon as you strip the old set. That way, you don’t need to wait around for sheets to dry, and you can spread the wear across all of your linen. As a result, they should all last longer. 

The range of bed sheets at Briscoes

At Briscoes, we stock all major sheet styles and fabrics from top brands. Whether you want cotton sheets, flannelette, plain/ percale, sateen, linen, polyester or microfibre, we’ve got you covered. Choose from leading linen brands, in-store or online, like Classic Living, Royal Doulton, Hotel @ Home and more. For more advice on choosing your next sheets, read our comprehensive guide to bed sheets. Or, of course, you can chat with thefriendly Briscoes team at your local store for helpful advice.