Washing bed sheets might seem like one of the simplest household chores. But getting it wrong can leave sheets feeling less clean and less comfortable, and even shorten their lifespan. This can result in a bad night's sleep, skin irritation and unpleasant odours. From using too much detergent to washing at the wrong temperature, many common laundry habits prevent sheets from feeling as fresh as they should. Luckily, Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundryheap and laundry expert, has shared five common mistakes to avoid.
Only Washing Sheets When Visibly Dirty
The expert said: “Unfortunately, people don’t wash their sheets as regularly as they let on—some even wash them every four months. Waiting until your sheets are visibly dirty can allow for germs, sweat and dirt to build up over time, which not only affects the condition of your sheets, but isn’t great for health either.” As a rule of thumb, the expert recommended washing sheets every two weeks to keep them in peak condition.
Not Checking the Label
Deyan explained: “Whilst this one may seem obvious, people don’t check the labels of their sheets and just assume that they require the same cycle as their towels or clothes. This often isn’t the case for sheets, as each type of material has different washing requirements. For example, cotton sheets are best washed at lower temperatures, polyester fabrics can handle warm washes of 40C, whereas delicate fabrics like silk or stain should be washed in cold water up to 30C. It’s also worth noting that if you’ve been sick, a one-off hot wash at 60°C once you’re feeling better can kill off any leftover germs on your sheets.” Certain fabrics should also never be ironed or put in the tumble dryer, and all this information can be found on the care label. Deyan added: “If you follow the instructions, you’ll wash your bedsheets as efficiently and keep them crisp and clean.”
Overdrying Bedding
While it is good to put on new sheets as soon as they come out of the tumble dryer, keeping them in the appliance for too long can unfortunately cause them to shrink. To avoid this, the laundry expert recommended drying them naturally on a drying line or rack, preferably outside for “better results”.
Washing Them with Clothes and Towels
The expert said: “You may think that chucking your sheets into your washing machine with a few towels or thick clothes might not make much of a difference, but it does in the long run. Every material has a different washing process and needs enough room to circulate and rinse properly. Adding different fabrics into this cycle can create added friction, wearing down your sheets or causing bobbling. Equally, zippers or buttons could get snagged and cause tearing. It’s best to run cycles specifically for your sheets to give them enough time to be washed properly.”
Adding Too Much Detergent
A big laundry mistake involves adding too much detergent. Not only can this wear from fibres, but it can also cause holes and tearing. Deyan recommended using two tablespoons of standard detergent for a full drum, or a single all-in-one laundry pod. He said: “This will reduce wear and tear over time, leaving you with clean sheets for longer.”
