Wash an Afghan: 8 Fast Fixes for a More Finished Space

Wash sheets and pillowcases at least every two weeks, comforters and blankets about once a month, and read the care label before you start. Most bedding does well in a washing machine with a mild detergent and a not-too-hot cycle.

If you share the bed with a dog or a cat, you'll want to lean toward the more frequent end. Here is how to handle each layer of the bed, from sheets to mattress.

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How often should you wash your sheets?

Purdue University Extension says bedsheets and pillowcases should be washed at least every two weeks. The same page recommends washing blankets (including weighted ones) and comforters monthly.

Pets change the math. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences notes that pet allergens are easily spread and can remain on carpets and furniture for months. If your dog sleeps on the bed, washing weekly is a reasonable habit, and a washable throw on top of the duvet takes most of the hair.

Read the care label first

The label tells you the maximum water temperature, whether the item can be tumble dried, and whether it needs special handling. Cotton and linen sheets usually tolerate warm water. Wool, silk and anything with a delicate finish usually don't. When in doubt, go cooler and gentler.

How to wash bed sheets in the washing machine

1. Strip the bed and shake off loose hair and crumbs outside or over a bin.
2. Wash sheets on their own, or with pillowcases only. Towels shed lint and cause sheets to twist into a rope.
3. Don't overfill the drum. Sheets need room to move, so fill it about three-quarters at most.
4. Use a mild detergent in the amount printed on the bottle. More soap does not mean cleaner sheets, it means residue.
5. Pick warm water for cotton unless the label says otherwise. Use cooler water for colors that bleed.
6. Dry on medium or low heat, and remove the sheets while they are still a touch damp to cut down on wrinkles.

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How to wash a comforter and duvet

Bulky bedding needs a big drum. If the comforter barely fits in your home machine, take it to a laundromat with a large front-loader so it can tumble freely and rinse out fully.

Use a gentle cycle and a small amount of detergent, then run an extra rinse. Dry on low heat with a couple of clean tennis balls or wool dryer balls to break up clumps in the filling. A damp center leads to a musty smell, so keep drying until it is completely dry. A duvet cover goes in with your sheets, so you only need to wash the insert a few times a year, or when it smells or gets stained.

How to wash pillows

Many polyester and down-alternative pillows can go in the machine, but check the tag. Wash two at once so the drum stays balanced, use a gentle cycle, and rinse twice. Dry on low heat until no dampness is left in the middle, fluffing them partway through. A pillow protector under the pillowcase keeps sweat out of the filling and makes future washing easier.

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

Yellowing usually comes from body oils, sweat and skin cells building up in the fabric, plus detergent residue and heat from the dryer. It tends to show most where your head and shoulders rest. It isn't a sign that the sheets are dirty in a worrying way, only that washing hasn't been removing everything.

To brighten white cotton sheets:

• Wash more often and use less detergent so residue doesn't build up.
• Soak yellowed sheets in warm water with an oxygen-based whitener, following the product's directions, then wash as usual.
• Skip chlorine bleach unless the label allows it. It can weaken fibers and make some whites look yellower.
• Line dry in the sun when you can. Daylight is a gentle natural brightener.

For pet stains, treat them while fresh and avoid ammonia. The Indoor Pet Initiative at Ohio State warns that ammonia-based products can attract a cat back to the same spot, which is the last thing you want on a bed.

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How to clean a mattress

Mattresses collect dust and skin cells just like sheets do, so a quick clean each time you change the bed is a good rhythm.

1. Vacuum the whole surface with the upholstery attachment, including the seams.
2. Spot-treat stains with a small amount of mild soap and cold water on a cloth. Blot, don't rub.
3. Sprinkle baking soda over the surface, leave it for a few hours, and vacuum it up to help with odors.
4. Let the mattress dry fully before putting sheets back on. Avoid soaking it.

As an architect, I'd also give the room some air while the bed is stripped. Opening the window for an hour helps the mattress and bedding dry and keeps moisture from lingering.

Remake the bed

Start with the fitted sheet, then the flat sheet, then the comforter or duvet. Keep a second set of sheets on hand so laundry day never leaves you with a bare mattress. If you're washing a throw or blanket by hand, our post on how to wash an afghan blanket or crochet throw covers it, and the same low-agitation approach works for delicate bedding. Towels follow different rules, so see how to wash bath towels.

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Frequently asked questions