How often should I wash pillows and mattress protectors?
Regularly washing your bedding is important for both hygiene and health reasons, particularly if you have allergies. However, there are many factors involved in determining how often you wash your pillows and mattresses, including your lifestyle as well as the type of bedding in question.
Why you should wash your bedding regularly
It’s important to wash your bedding regularly because it can accumulate dirt, dead skin cells, body oils, sweat, and dust mites. It’s particularly important to change your bedding regularly in the summer months when you’re more likely to sweat.
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Lifestyle factors that affect how often you wash your bedding
If you have allergies, you’ll want to wash your bedding more often. Dust mites allergies are common and dust mites feed on dead skin cells, so it’s important to regularly wash your bedding to avoid allergy flare-ups. Similarly, if you have pets, you’ll want to wash your bedding more often due to the build-up of pet hair and dirt that will accumulate on your bedding.
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How often to wash your bedding
Pillows
Since pillows are home to dead skin cells, dust mites and more, it’s important to wash them at least twice a year. However, washing them every three months is a good idea, and using hypoallergenic pillows helps improve hygiene.
Pillow protectors
Pillow protectors should be washed monthly. Oils and dirt from our hair and faces can soak into our pillow protectors so they should be washed regularly for good hygiene.
Mattresses
You should clean your mattress monthly and you may be able to use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment depending on the material of your mattress. In addition to regular cleaning, changing your mattress every eight years is recommended.
Mattress protectors
It’s important to keep your mattress protector clean because they extend the life of your mattress. You should clean your mattress protector every two months, although this may be more frequent if spillages occur or you allow pets on your bed.
If you are looking for pillow or mattress replacements, then check our popular options of commercial grade quilted bedding protectors:
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How to wash your bedding
Just as important as how often you wash your bedding is that you do it the right way. Before you start, check the labels for any special care instructions. After washing, make sure to dry your bedding thoroughly as damp bedding is a breeding ground for bacteria and mould. It’s also useful to dry your bedding in sunlight if possible as the UV light helps to kill microorganisms.
Pillows should be washed at a minimum of 60C in order to kill pathogens and ideally dried in sunlight. Before you wash your mattress protector, check the label for instructions. Mattress protectors should be washed at a temperature of up to 70C and dried on a cool to warm dry cycle.
If you have sensitive skin, use a gentle detergent that won’t cause irritation and consider rinsing the sheets a second time to remove any residual detergent.
Photo by Keeping your bedding clean between washes
If you can’t wash your bedding as often as you’d like, there are a few things you can do to keep it clean in between washes. Not allowing pets in the bed and avoiding eating or drinking in bed are effective ways to keep your sheets clean. Ensuring you shower before bed and avoiding lotions will also help protect your sheets. Although these steps will help keep your bedding clean, regular washing is still necessary for killing germs and dust mites.
Now that you have some good knowledge about how often should I wash pillows and mattress protectors. Don't forget to check out our extensive range of commercial grade bedding linen to replace any worn down, stained pillows and mattress protectors you may still have.
Remember, creating a personal hygiene routine is important, to feel clean and healthy. It's never too early to start!
