How to Clean Bedding: Sheets, Pillows and Comforters

Wash sheets and pillowcases at least every two weeks, blankets and comforters about monthly, and read the care label before you start. Use the warmest water the label allows, don't overload the machine, and dry everything completely. That covers most of what a clean bed needs.

A bed that is clean also looks and feels more luxurious, because crisp, fresh fabric sits better than tired, oily fabric. Here is how to handle each layer, including the ones people forget.

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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. If you sleep hot, eat in bed or let a dog or cat on the mattress, weekly is a sensible habit. I'd rather you wash sheets a little too often than let body oils build up in the fibers.

The same source says blankets, including weighted ones, and comforters should be washed monthly. A duvet cover sits closer to your skin than the insert, so treat it more like a sheet and wash it every few weeks.

Read the care label first

Labels tell you the maximum water temperature, whether bleach is safe and how to dry the item. Cotton percale and sateen usually tolerate warm or hot water. Linen is happier with warm water and a gentle cycle. Polyester blends and anything with a waterproof layer often need cooler water and low heat. When in doubt, go one step gentler than you think you need.

How to wash bed sheets in a washing machine

1. Strip the bed and shake off loose pet hair outdoors, or run a lint roller over the sheets first.
2. Wash sheets separately from towels and clothes, which shed lint and can drag at delicate weaves.
3. Fill the drum loosely. Sheets need room to move, and a packed machine leaves detergent behind.
4. Use a normal amount of detergent, or slightly less. Too much leaves residue that dulls fabric.
5. Choose the warmest water the label allows, then add an extra rinse if you have sensitive skin.
6. Dry on medium or low heat and take the sheets out while they are still faintly warm. Over-drying sets wrinkles and wears fibers.

Pet owners can add a second rinse to catch dander. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences notes that pet allergens are easily spread and can remain on carpets and furniture for months, so bedding that gets shared with a dog is worth washing on schedule.

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Why do sheets turn yellow, and how do you get them white again?

Yellowing is mostly body oil, sweat and skin cells that soak into the fabric and oxidize, plus detergent residue and sometimes hard water. It builds slowly, which is why a bed can look dingy without any single stain.

To bring white sheets back, try this sequence, stopping when they look right:

• Rewash with a bit less detergent and an extra rinse to clear residue.
• Soak in warm water with an oxygen-based whitener for several hours before washing.
• If the label allows it, use chlorine bleach on white cotton only, diluted as the bottle directs.

Never mix bleach with other cleaners, and keep it off colors and off any pet-soiled spots treated with ammonia products. Speaking of which, if a cat has had an accident on fabric or carpet, Ohio State's Indoor Pet Initiative advises to never use ammonia or ammonia-based products, because the smell may attract the cat back to that area.

How to wash a comforter and duvet

Check that your washer is big enough. A king comforter in a small drum won't get clean, and a laundromat's large front-loader is a fair fix. Use a gentle cycle, mild detergent and an extra rinse. Skip fabric softener on down, since it can coat the feathers and flatten the loft.

Dry on low heat with a few clean wool dryer balls or tennis balls to break up clumps. It can take several cycles. Feel into the corners before you stop, because damp filling smells musty and can mildew. If the insert is labeled dry-clean only, follow that.

As an architect, I'd keep the insert protected by a removable cover and wash the cover often. That way the big, awkward piece needs washing only a few times a year.

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How to wash pillows

Most polyester and many down pillows can go in the machine. Wash two at a time so the drum stays balanced, use a gentle cycle and rinse twice. Dry on low heat until no damp spots remain, fluffing them partway through. Memory foam pillows should not go in the washer. Spot clean them with mild soap and water, then air dry away from direct heat.

Pillow protectors under the pillowcase keep sweat out of the filling and are easy to wash with your sheets.

How to clean a mattress

Do this when you change the sheets, a few times a year:

1. Vacuum the whole surface and the seams with an upholstery attachment.
2. Spot treat stains with a small amount of mild detergent on a damp cloth. Blot, don't scrub, and avoid soaking the foam.
3. Sprinkle baking soda over the surface, wait a few hours, then vacuum it up to lift odors.
4. Let the mattress air out fully before you put the sheets back.

A washable mattress protector makes this much easier. Choose a quiet, breathable one, since crinkly plastic traps heat. Check your mattress warranty before using any cleaner, because some manufacturers restrict what you can apply.

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Is it okay to sleep on new unwashed sheets?

Most people wash new sheets first. They can carry finishing chemicals and factory dust, and washing softens the fabric. If you have sensitive skin, treat it as a rule, and wash them once before the first night.

Remake the bed so it stays fresh

Let the bed air for a few minutes each morning before you pull the covers up, which lets moisture escape. Fold a washable throw at the foot of the bed if the dog likes to climb up, so the throw takes the hair and mud, not your duvet. For more on making the bed look its best once everything is clean, see how to make a luxury bed with bedding choices. If dust is a recurring issue in the bedroom, these fixes for dust floating in the air are worth a read.

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Frequently asked questions