How often should you wash your bedding?

The question ‘how regularly should I wash my bedding?’ is one that is frequently asked, especially as energy usage and environmental concerns are more commonly factored into daily life. However, this question holds particular importance for those who own silk bedding as this is one of the most luxurious fabrics available and, as such, it’s important to maintain it to retain the quality and longevity of the product.

As silk experts, we know that the answer to this question is a little more nuanced than you might think. Whilst the general consensus seems to be that washing your bedding once a week is the right amount, this can change depending on a multitude of factors such as whether you sleep hot or cold, what the humidity is like, what fabric your bedding is made from, and more. To help you figure out a routine that works for you, we’ve created this useful guide.

What happens if you don’t wash your bedding often?

If you don’t wash your bedding regularly enough, it will start to accumulate dust mites, bacteria, bed bugs, debris and dirt, all of which can contribute to breakouts and skin irritations. This can lead to the worsening of any pre-existing conditions such as eczema or allergies. Above all, it can also just be unpleasant to sleep in an unclean environment, and if stains are left for too long they may become set into the fabric which can look unkempt or unsightly. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you take the time to wash your bedding regularly.

Does silk need to be washed frequently?

Not necessarily, one of the greatest qualities of silk is that it is naturally antibacterial, hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and microbes. This means that you can opt for a less frequent washing schedule if you prefer, and just wash your silk products as needed. With that being said however, we would suggest cleaning them at least fortnightly, especially during the summer months or if you’re in a climate with high humidity to help keep them in top condition.

If you are going to wash your silk regularly, we would suggest doing silk-only wash cycles to avoid ruffer fabric from scuffing or damaging your silk. That way, you can use a specific silk laundry detergent which is more gentle, and you can wash at lower temperatures or put your machine on a ‘hand wash’ cycle to avoid unnecessary damage. Since this guide refers only to the frequency of washing your bedding, we’d recommend you read our detailed blog on how to care for your silk for full washing instructions.

When to wash your bedding

When it comes to washing frequency, different elements of your bed will require washing at different times. This can be more easily managed through the use of additional accessories such as pillow and duvet protectors which will help to reduce the washing times needed for these items that are more difficult to clean.

Bed sheets

If you wash your silk bed sheets according to the care guide, you can wash them as often as you would any other material. Generally, this would be once a week for cotton, and up to two weeks for linen. As such, washing your silk once a fortnight is the recommended minimum amount. If you want to wash your bed sheets weekly but wish to maintain the quality of your silk for longer, you could opt to invest in multiple bedding sets so that you can change your sheets weekly, but wash them all together in a silk-only cycle on a monthly basis.

Duvets

Thanks to the naturally antibacterial properties of silk, silk filled or covered duvets should only be washed once a year or even once every two years. However, we would suggest opting for a spot clean or professional launder rather than using your own washing machine to maintain comfort and quality. Any other types of duvet such as cotton and polyester may need to be cleaned more frequently, such as twice yearly. Down duvets will only need to be washed every two or three years.

Pillows

A 100% silk filled and covered pillow should almost never need washing thanks to the hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties of the materials used, though they should be aired outside twice a year. For silk blends, we recommend infrequent washing or spot cleaning once a year.

If you have pillows made of synthetic materials or other blends, such as polyester, then they should be washed twice a year. To help maintain their shape, we recommend that they be taken to a professional launder service.

Mattress protectors & toppers

Mattress protectors and toppers should be cleaned every three months. This is usually not a problem for cotton or polyester blends as they can be placed in the washing machine. However, in the case of silk options, they shouldn’t require thorough cleaning but rather be aired outdoors in the sun once a year.

Upgrade your bedding set up with Gingerlily

Silk bedding is the perfect option for those who effortlessly want to maintain a hygienic and comfortable sleep set up. If you’re contemplating investing in new bedding, browse through our collections to find a style and colour that suits you. Alternatively, visit our complete care guide for more detailed washing instructions.