I believe that there are a number of great reasons for keeping your bed sheets new, clean, and organized in a dedicated closet far from moisture and dust. Besides keeping you warm through those chilly nights, and cool during a heat wave, bed sheets are also the first line of defence against potential allergens that can penetrate the surface of your mattress.

Keeping a spare or two on hand is always a smarter alternative to washing the same sheets every week.

With that in mind, here are some of my dos and don’ts of bed sheet care?

When should I toss my bed sheets?

It may be hard to part with those soft sheets that you cuddled with for so many years, but everything has a life expectancy. Depending on the quality of the sheets, manufacturing process, and the number of washes, they could last up to 10 years.

But many people avoid tossing them for nostalgic reasons or are just in denial that they need to be replaced. Signs to look for include an overstretched elastic on your fitted sheet that just doesn’t hug your mattress like it used to, tears, wear spots, stubborn stains, and discolouration.

Changing your bed sheets

Why should I change my sheets weekly?

Your bed sheets are in use for about a third of the day, every day. Hair, sweat and dead skin cells fester in your sheets and become a hardy meal for bacteria and other organisms that might be living on the surface of your mattress. These allergens can eventually become airborne, affecting the air quality in your room substantially.

In order to prevent this, wash your sheets regularly with warm, not hot water. Use bleach for those difficult stains, but keep in mind that it will damage the sheet’s fibres over time. Eventually, this process will wear out your sheets, and replacing them is the only logical next step.

Using a baking soda and vinegar solution can be substituted for bleach if you prefer to go green. Keep in mind, sheets will not last forever, so don’t get too attached to those colours and patterns you matched so well with your decor! Sometimes, for this reason, choosing neutrals is best.

Where should I store my spare sheets?

Having two or three backup sheets is always a great idea to accommodate guests and facilitate the laundry process. I always keep my spare sheets nicely folded in a cool and dry closet or drawer.

Keeping them in cubed linen bags lined with acid-free tissue paper can prevent yellowing and discolouration. Do not store them in plastic containers as they can trap moisture creating a perfect environment for mould and mildew.

Another bright idea is to store them neatly in their own pillowcase and stacked above each other. This will not only identify the bedsheets but keep all the pieces neat and tidy in little bundles.

Folded Sheets in Pillow Case

Source: Martha Stewart

Consider the four seasons when purchasing bedsheets to accommodate for the low dips in winter and the soaring highs in summer. Selecting the fabric and manufacturing process to give you the ultimate in comfort will ensure the best sleep any time of the year!

Angela, Your Sleep Expert