We spend roughly a third of our lives in bed – and during that time we leave sweat, skin flakes and skin oils in the sheets. Many people wonder how often to wash bed sheets and whether they really need to wash at 60 °C. The honest answer: it depends on the material, the season and whether anyone in the household has an allergy.
Here are five clear answers that work in everyday life, including in buildings with a shared laundry room.
1. How often to wash bed sheets
There is no official rule, but in practice these frequencies work well:
| Item | Typical frequency | Wash more often if … |
|---|---|---|
| Pillowcases | Every week | You have oily skin, acne or use hair products |
| Sheets and duvet covers | Every one to two weeks | Hot weather, heavy sweating, illness |
| Mattress protector | Every one to two months | Children, pets in bed, spills |
| Pillows | A few times a year | Allergies, visible stains |
| Duvets | Once or twice a year | Allergies, pets |
Change the bedding more often in summer, when you're ill, if pets sleep in your bed or if someone in the household has an allergy. After a stomach bug or fever, washing the bedding straight away makes sense.
2. The right temperature for each material
Always check the care label first. As a general guide:
- Cotton and percale: 40 °C for everyday washing; up to 60 °C if the label allows and there's a reason (allergy, illness).
- Jersey and flannel: Usually 40 °C; can shrink at higher temperatures.
- Linen: 40 °C, sometimes 60 °C – check the label; creases easily.
- Microfibre and polyester: Usually 30–40 °C.
- Silk and satin: Delicates or hand wash, cold or 30 °C.
For everyday laundry, EnergieSchweiz recommends low temperatures and eco programmes where possible, full loads and no extra detergent. For bed linen without special reasons, 40 °C is a sensible compromise between hygiene and energy use.
3. Bed linen and house dust mite allergy
House dust mites feed on skin flakes and like warm, humid places – beds offer both. aha! Swiss Allergy Centre recommends for people with a mite allergy to wash pillowcases, duvet covers and pyjamas at 60 °C, use mite-proof encasings, keep the bedroom at around 18–20 °C and air it several times a day.
These measures reduce exposure; they are not a treatment. If you suspect an allergy, talk to your doctor or an allergist for personal advice.
4. Washing pillows and duvets
Pillows and duvets absorb sweat over time and should be washed a few times a year – if the label permits.
- Check the label: Many synthetic pillows and duvets are machine washable at 40–60 °C; feather and down items need a gentle programme and special detergent.
- Check the machine size: A large duvet needs space. Shared laundry rooms often have bigger machines – otherwise, a laundrette or a professional laundry is an option.
- Wash gently: Use a mild detergent, no fabric softener, and an extra rinse.
- Dry completely: This is the most important step. Feather and down items need a tumble dryer on low heat (with a few clean tennis balls or dryer balls to break up clumps) if the label allows, or several days in a well-ventilated room.
5. Drying bed linen properly
- Shake out sheets and covers before hanging them to reduce creases.
- Hang in the drying room or outdoors where allowed by your house rules; in Swiss buildings, the drying room is often next to the laundry room.
- Tumble dryer: Cotton usually tolerates it; check the label for jersey, linen and synthetics.
- Iron or not: Not necessary for hygiene – fold neatly while slightly warm, and most creases disappear on the bed.
- Air the flat: If you have to dry laundry in your flat, air it several times a day to avoid condensation.
Your weekly bed routine
Common mistakes with bed linen
- Making the bed immediately after getting up: Moisture stays trapped in the bedding.
- Overloading the machine: Duvet covers roll up and don't get clean inside. Close zips and buttons before washing.
- Too much detergent: Leaves residue that can irritate sensitive skin.
- Fabric softener on microfibre or towels: Reduces absorbency.
- Putting damp pillows back on the bed: Leads to musty smells.
A clean mattress is just as important as fresh sheets – see our guide on cleaning a mattress.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you wash your bed sheets?
For most people, every one to two weeks is a good rhythm, with pillowcases weekly. Wash more often in hot weather, during illness, with pets in the bed or with allergies.
Do I need to wash bed sheets at 60 °C?
Not necessarily. For everyday cotton sheets, 40 °C is usually enough. With a house dust mite allergy, aha! recommends 60 °C for pillowcases and duvet covers, if the label allows it.
How often should I wash my pillow?
A few times a year, according to the care label. Make sure it dries completely afterwards.
Can I wash a duvet in a normal washing machine?
Small and synthetic duvets often fit in a normal machine, but large or feather duvets need more space. Use a larger machine in the laundry room, a laundrette or a professional laundry.
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