How to Clean Bedding: Sheets, Pillows, Comforters

Wash sheets and pillowcases every week or two, wash the comforter or duvet about once a month, and read the care label before anything goes in the machine. The rest is detail: don't overload the drum, dry everything completely, and don't forget the mattress under it all.

It's very common to put this off, especially if a dog sleeps on the bed, so don't feel bad. A simple routine is easier to keep than a big deep clean twice a year.

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How often should you wash your sheets?

Purdue Extension says bedsheets and pillowcases should be washed at least every two weeks, and that blankets and comforters should be washed monthly. That's the minimum. I recommend weekly for sheets if you sweat at night, have allergies, or share the bed with a pet.

Pets matter here because their dander travels. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences notes that pet allergens can circulate in air and remain on carpets and furniture for months. Bedding is soft furniture, so it holds them too.

Read the care label first

The label tells you the hottest safe water temperature, whether bleach is allowed and how to dry the item. Cotton and linen sheets usually tolerate warm water. Delicate fabrics, wool and anything with a special finish need gentler settings. When in doubt, go cooler and slower.

How to wash bed sheets in a washing machine

1. Shake out hair and debris first, especially pet hair.
2. Wash sheets together without towels, which are heavy and can twist them into a knot.
3. Fill the drum loosely. Sheets need room to move and rinse.
4. Use a modest amount of detergent. Too much leaves residue that dulls fabric.
5. Dry on a setting the label allows, and make sure they're fully dry before you put them on the bed.

Pull sheets out promptly. Damp fabric left in the drum starts to smell within hours.

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How to wash a comforter and duvet

Check the size of your machine first. A bulky comforter needs a large-capacity washer, and a laundromat is a fine option if yours is small. Wash on a gentle cycle and add an extra rinse if you can.

Drying is where most people go wrong. Fill and loft depend on the item being completely dry, so use low heat, stop to fluff it a few times and add clean dryer balls if you have them. A damp center leads to a musty smell. A duvet cover goes in with the sheets, which means the insert itself only needs washing a few times a year if you use a cover.

How to wash pillows

Many polyester and down-alternative pillows are machine washable, but check the label. Wash two at a time so the drum stays balanced, use a gentle cycle, and rinse twice. Dry on low with a few tennis balls or dryer balls, and don't use the pillow until you can't feel any damp spots. Memory foam and latex pillows are not machine washable. Spot clean them and let them air dry.

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Why do sheets turn yellow, and how do you whiten them?

Yellowing usually comes from body oils, sweat and detergent or fabric softener residue building up over time, plus age and heat. Sheets that get dingy tend to need a reset, not stronger soap.

• Wash less per load and use less detergent so everything rinses clean.
• Skip fabric softener on sheets, since it coats fibers.
• Soak in an oxygen bleach solution if the label allows it, then wash as normal.
• Dry in a dryer or in sun when possible. Sunlight helps freshen and brighten cotton.

Avoid chlorine bleach on anything that isn't pure white cotton, and never on foam or polyester fill.

How to clean a mattress

Strip the bed and vacuum the whole surface with the upholstery attachment, including the seams and piping where hair collects. Sprinkle baking soda, leave it for a few hours, and vacuum it up. For a spot, blot with a cloth and an enzyme cleaner made for pet or body stains, using as little liquid as possible. Never soak a pillow top, since foam holds moisture and can grow mold. Let it dry completely before you remake the bed.

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A mattress protector makes this much easier, because you wash the protector instead of scrubbing the mattress. For more detail on foam and quilted tops, see how to clean a pillow top mattress, and if you've inherited one secondhand, how to clean a used mattress covers that case. If dust is a constant problem in your bedroom, this look at air purifiers and dust may help too.

Remake the bed

Start with the mattress protector, then a fitted sheet that's deep enough for the mattress. A thick pillow top often needs deep-pocket sheets, and a good rule is to measure the mattress height and add a couple of inches. Smooth the top sheet, pull the duvet up, and finish with pillows. If you want ideas for the pillow arrangement, this guide to styling pillows carries over to beds.

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Frequently asked questions