Dirty Bed Sheets - What Happens When You Don't Wash Your Sheets

Written by: The Linenly Team

|

|

Time to read 5 min

You know that feeling when you finally get into bed after a long day, only to realize that your sheets are dirty? It's the worst. Not only are you now stuck sleeping in a gross bed, but you also have to face the fact that you were too lazy to wash your sheets earlier.

If you're someone who often forgets to wash their sheets, don't worry - you're not alone. In fact, a recent study found that nearly half of Australian's admit that they don't wash their bed sheets as often as they should.

So what's the big deal with dirty bed sheets? It can’t be that bad, right? Well, for starters, they can be really uncomfortable to sleep in. But more importantly, dirty bed sheets can actually be dangerous for your health.

In this article we will look at what really happens when you don't wash your bed sheets.

How Often Should You Wash Your Bed Sheets?

Experts say that you should wash your sheets once a week. But, let’s be honest, most people only wash their sheets when they start to look dirty.

Like anything, there are mitigating and aggravating factors for how often you should be washing your sheets. For example, if you have pets or allergies, you may need to wash your sheets more often. And if you sweat a lot at night, you might want to consider washing them more often as well.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide how often to wash your sheets. But, if you’re looking for a general guideline, once a week to every two weeks is a good place to start.

tips for washing dirty bed sheets

What Happens When You Don't Wash Your Bed Sheets?

We all know that it’s important to keep our bodies clean. We brush our teeth, wash our hair, and take showers regularly. But there’s one part of our hygiene routine that often gets neglected: washing our bed sheets.

We spend about one-third of our lives asleep, so it stands to reason that our bed sheets should be clean. Unfortunately, many of us don’t wash them as often as we should. In fact, a recent survey found that one in four people only wash their sheets once a month or less!

So, what happens when you don’t wash your bed sheets? Can dirty bed sheets cause acne? What about rashes? Itching? Bed bugs!?

Well, for starters, they become covered in dust mites. These tiny creatures thrive in dirty environments and feed on dead skin cells. In other words, they love your bed sheets!

Dust mites are harmless to most people, but they can cause problems for those with allergies or asthma. If you’re allergic to dust mites, you may experience symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and runny nose. Asthma sufferers may have difficulty breathing and may even suffer from a severe attack.

problems that can occur if you do not wash your bed sheets frequently

So, what’s the bottom line? Wash your bed sheets frequently – at least once a week – to keep them clean and free of dust mites, sweat, and body oils. Your skin and your respiratory system will thank you!

Best Way To Wash Your Bed Sheets

You know what they say, clean sheets are the key to a good night’s sleep. But what’s the best way to wash your bed sheets?

Turns out, there are a few things you should keep in mind when washing your bedding. First, always wash your sheets on a gentle cycle with cool water. This will help prevent them from shrinking or getting damaged in the wash.

Secondly, avoid using fabric softener on your sheets. Fabric softener can actually coat the sheets and make them less absorbent. If you want to use fabric softener, opt for a natural version that is specifically designed for use on bedding.

Finally, be sure to dry your sheets on low heat or air dry them. High heat can damage the fabric and cause them to shrink. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your bed sheets are always clean and fresh!

Best Way to Keep Sheets Clean Between Washes 

Assuming you don’t want to wash your sheets every day (which, let’s be honest, who has the time or energy for that?), there are a few things you can do to keep them clean between washes.


1.Vacuum your mattress regularly. This will help get rid of any dust or dirt that has built up over time. Plus, it will make your bed feel a lot more comfortable when you do finally wash your sheets.

2. Use a pillow protector. Pillow protectors are great for keeping your pillows clean and fresh between washes. Just make sure to remove them before you actually wash your sheets so they don’t get ruined in the process.

3. Don’t forget to wash your duvet cover. Your duvet cover can get just as dirty as your sheets, so make sure to throw it in the wash every once in a while.

4. Hang your sheets out to dry in the sun. Sunlight is a great natural disinfectant, so hanging your sheets out to dry in the sun will help kill any bacteria or germs that may be lurking on them.

benefits of drying sheets in the sun

5. Use essential oils. A few drops of lavender or eucalyptus oil on your pillowcase can help keep your sheets smelling fresh between washes.

6. Keep your pets off the bed. This one might be tough if you’re a pet owner, but it’s definitely worth it in the long run. Pets can carry a lot of bacteria on their fur, so it’s best to keep them off your bedding altogether.

7. Invest in a good laundry detergent. Using a high-quality laundry detergent will help keep your sheets looking and smelling fresh for longer.

Follow these tips and you’ll be sure to have clean and fresh sheets all year round!

What Next?

When it comes to not washing your sheets, there are a few things that can happen. First, you may start to notice a musty smell coming from your bed. This is because the sweat and oils from your body are building up on the sheets and not being washed away.

The build-up of dirt and grime can also cause skin irritation or rashes. In extreme cases, bacteria can start to grow on the sheets, which can lead to acne, respiratory infections, or other health problems.

So, what's the bottom line? If you want to avoid all of these potential problems, it's best to wash your sheets regularly and invest in high quality sheets. At least once a week is ideal, but if you're dealing with particularly sweaty or oily skin, you may need to wash them more often. And, of course, if anyone in your household is sick, it's important to wash the sheets and bedding more frequently to prevent the spread of illness.

Here at Linenly, our aim is to offer Linenly high quality bamboo sheets to all our customers. As Australia's premier provider of bamboo bedding, shop Linenly's extensive range of bamboo doona covers and organic bamboo fitted sheets today to experience the quality.