How often to wash sheets, pillows, duvets and your mattress

A practical schedule for the bed: wash sheets and pillowcases about once a week, wash pillows and duvets about every six months, vacuum and air the mattress every six months, and rotate it every three months if the manufacturer says it can be rotated. Those are habits, not laws: wash more often if you sweat at night, have pets in bed, are ill or have allergies, and a little less often if you sleep in the bed only occasionally. The care label always decides what temperature and programme to use.

Sheets and pillowcases: about once a week

Sheets collect sweat, skin cells, oils and dust every night, which is why weekly is the common rule of thumb. If a week feels too much, every two weeks is a minimum for most people. Wash them at the temperature on the label and dry them fully before putting them back; damp fabric leaves a musty smell. Change them immediately after an illness or an accident.

Pillows: about every six months

Pillows hold sweat and oils even with a pillowcase and a protector. Many synthetic and some feather pillows can go in the washing machine; memory foam and some latex ones cannot and must be spot-cleaned. Check the label first.

1. Wash two pillows at a time so the drum stays balanced.
2. Use a mild detergent, a gentle cycle and an extra rinse.
3. Dry completely, on low heat with a couple of clean tennis balls or dryer balls if the label allows. A pillow that stays damp inside grows mould.

Use a washable protector under the pillowcase to make the pillow last longer. If a pillow stays flat when you fold it, smells even after washing, or has lumps or stains that do not come out, replace it instead of washing it again.

Duvets, comforters and blankets: about every six months

A duvet cover can go in with the sheets, but the duvet itself needs less washing. Do it twice a year, for example when you swap for the colder or warmer season. Many duvets are too large for a home washing machine; a laundromat's large drums or a professional cleaner are the answer. Down and feather duvets need a gentle wash and a long, thorough dry. If the label says dry-clean only, believe it.

Air bedding outdoors on a dry, breezy day when you can: it reduces damp and freshens the filling.

The mattress: vacuum every six months, rotate every three

You do not wash a mattress, but you can clean it. Every six months, strip the bed and:

1. Vacuum the whole surface, including the seams and edges, using the upholstery attachment.
2. Treat stains with a small amount of mild detergent on a damp cloth and blot gently, never soaking the mattress.
3. Let it air with the window open for a few hours, and let it dry completely before making the bed.

Baking soda sprinkled over the surface and vacuumed up after a few hours can freshen it. Avoid wetting the mattress deeply, because moisture inside is hard to dry and leads to mould.

Rotating. Turning the mattress head to foot every three months or so spreads out wear, but only if your model allows it. Many modern mattresses are designed for one side and one direction, and some need flipping while others do not. Check the manufacturer's instructions.

A mattress protector that you can wash with the sheets is the cheapest way to keep the mattress clean.

When it is time to replace instead of clean

There is no exact age that applies to every mattress or pillow. Signs that cleaning is not enough: a visible sag or hollow, lumps, springs you can feel, persistent odours after cleaning, or waking up with a sore back or blocked nose more often than before. If anyone in the home has allergies or asthma, follow your doctor's advice on bedding care.

A schedule you can actually keep

The reason people do it less often than they intend is that the tasks come at four different rhythms: weekly, quarterly, every six months. Put the weekly one on a fixed day (say, Sunday), and the rest on the day you change season. HouseKiper keeps those intervals for you and reminds you when each is due. You can see them next to the rest of the routine in the home maintenance checklist. If a damp smell lingers in the laundry itself, the problem may be in the machine: see why your washing machine smells.

How often should I wash my sheets?

About once a week is the common recommendation. Every two weeks is a minimum for most people, and more often if you sweat, have pets in bed or are unwell.

How often should I wash pillows and duvets?

Around every six months is a good rule, always following the care label. Use a protector to extend the time between washes.

How do I clean a mattress without washing it?

Vacuum it, treat stains with a damp cloth and mild detergent, let it air and dry completely. Do this about every six months and use a washable protector.

Should I flip or rotate my mattress?

Only if the manufacturer says so. Many modern mattresses are one-sided, but many can be rotated head to foot about every three months to even out wear. Check the instructions for your model.