Need a Reason to Wash Your Sheets More Often? Here Are 10, According to Experts

You Shed Thousands of Dead Skin Cells

Humans shed about 500 million skin cells every day, and where they lurk, dust mites follow. “Dust mites love to feed off our dead skin,” Young says. “Share a bed with someone, and you’re doubling those numbers. And for those who toss and turn in their sleep, as well as those who sleep with little or no clothing on, expect additional skin shedding due to all that rubbing against your linens.”

Showering at night to slough off dead skin cells and wearing clean pajamas will help keep dead skin cells off your sheets. “Taking these precautions will keep your whole house cleaner," Nogales-Hernandez says. 

You Sweat During the Night

The average adult produces a considerable amount of sweat, salt, and sebum throughout the course of a day. “Since adults usually get between seven and nine hours of sleep a night, much of these body soils will transfer to your sheets,” Jennifer Ahoni, a senior scientist at Tide, shares. And according to Young, sweat is full of bacteria and yeast, which can result in bacterial folliculitis and fungal infections like ringworm.

If you sleep under heavy covers, crank the thermostat up at night, or if you just normally perspire a lot, you should be washing your bedding twice a week. “And be sure to shower after exercising and before climbing into bed,” Young adds. 

You Wear Makeup or Medication to Bed

“Makeup residue can build up on linens, allowing bacteria to thrive, while oils and powders rubbing against your skin and sheets for hours can lead to irritation and acne,” Young notes. Wash your face before bed, but if you forget or are too tired, throw your pillowcases in the wash the next day with your regular laundry, Nogales-Hernandez suggests.

Acne medications like benzoyl peroxide or ointments with a petroleum jelly-base can stain sheets as well, so it’s important to wash your pillowcases regularly or place a towel over your pillow if you’re applying any type of medication to your face at night, according to Young. 

You Sleep With Pets

Keep in mind pets shed dead skin cells, too. Young warns that pet dander and dirt from pet fur can cause dermatitis, which can result in dry, itchy or reddened skin. “Pets could also harbor fleas, mites, ticks, and other parasites which could cause bacterial infections on your skin," she adds.

If you can’t banish your pet to the floor, consider resting a blanket (that can be washed often) or a pet bed over your comforter or duvet. 

You Suffer From Allergies or Asthma

People with asthma or allergies can trigger or worsen their symptoms by sleeping on dirty sheets filled with dust mites. Symptoms include red eyes, a stuffy nose, or sneezing.

“Be sure to wash on the hottest temperature suggested on the care label,” Young suggests. “And if you’re suffering from any of these disorders, or have atopic dermatitis, be sure to use a hypoallergenic detergent to avoid flares.”

You Drool During the Night

When you’re sleeping, your swallowing reflexes relax, which can allow saliva to accumulate in your mouth and escape out of the sides, hence drooling. Young explains that saliva contains bacteria and yeast, which can cause infections such as folliculitis and breakouts.

Try switching up your sleep position, as you’re more likely to drool if you sleep on your side or stomach, and wash your pillowcases at least every other day with your regular laundry, flipping your pillow and using the clean side between washings. 

You Snack in Bed

Eating in bed is never a good idea, as it leads to unwanted pests in your place of relaxation. “Even small food particles and spills can invite unwanted pests including ants, flies, and even cockroaches,” Nogales-Hernandez explains. “If you’re forced to eat in bed due to sickness or injury, wash your sheets twice a week at a minimum.” 

You Have Acne or Eczema

“If you don’t wash your sheets often enough, bacteria can disrupt the balance in your microbiome, which is home to the ‘good’ bacteria and microbes in your body," Young says. This can make you more prone to skin conditions like acne or eczema. If your skin is inflamed by these or other skin conditions, the top layer won’t be able to protect itself from irritants and allergens, including dust mites, Young adds.

You Have Sex

“Theoretically, STDs can survive on dirty sheets, but you’re more likely to suffer from parasites, both body and genital lice, which could transfer to the sheets and cause itchy eruptions and bacterial infections,” Young says. It's important to wash and dry infested linens at the highest temperature possible since lice can't be killed by washing alone. “Scabies infestations, for example, are caused by a mite that burrows into the top layer of the skin during sex, but they’re also notorious for living on linens and transferring from linens to humans, resulting in an unbearably itchy dermatitis.”

You Don’t Feel Well

If you’ve suffered through the flu, a cold, or any sickness, it’s especially important to wash your sheets every few days in the hottest temperature the fabric will allow. “Otherwise, you could easily spread pathogenic bacteria, fungus, yeast, or a virus, contaminating anyone in contact with your linens,” Young says. “In these situations, it’s crucial to wash bedding on high heat and consider bleach if it’s safe to use on your linens.”