Here’s something to think about: Assuming we get in our eight hours of sleep, we spend around a third of our day (and, therefore, our lives) in bed. With all that time under the covers, it’s pretty important we keep our bed sheets clean. For hygiene reasons, sure, but also because diving into clean bedding feels like being hugged by a cloud. You might be wondering how to keep bed sheets smelling fresh, how often should bed sheets be washed, or the best way to wash bed sheets. If these questions keep you up at night, rest easy and scroll on - we’re going to explore all of the above and more.

Washing Bed Sheets: Why Make It Routine

Over time, our bedding collects sweat, body oils, and cosmetics we apply to our skin. Without proper sheet hygiene, you can also end up with a whole host of dust mites and other nasties that you really don’t want to be cosying up to. When you look after your bed sheets properly, you’ll not only get rid of the grime that can accumulate, but you’ll also make sure you’re not sharing your bed with any unwanted guests! This is especially important if you’re more of a morning shower person and don’t always shower or bathe right before bed. Regular TLC keeps your bed sheets looking like new, too. That means you’ll likely be splashing out for new linens less often. 

Our final argument as to why you should give those sheets a scrub? Because, after a long day, you deserve to enjoy sinking into gloriously fresh, tranquil-smelling bedding. No matter whether you live alone in an apartment, have a bedroom in a sharehouse or live with your partner and kids, you deserve a restful retreat that feels wonderful to get into and leaves you feeling refreshed - both physically and mentally. We’d go so far as to say that keeping our sleeping spaces clean and serene is an act of self-care.

How Often Should You Wash Your Bed Sheets

It's generally recommended that you wash your sheets every one to two weeks, though you may need to wash them a little more often under certain circumstances. Finding a frequency that fits your household will depend on lifestyle factors. Do you share your bed with any four-legged friends? Do you tend to sweat a lot, or do you live in a humid location? Are you particularly sensitive to dust or other pollutants? What kind of sheets do you have? For example, cotton is usually more breathable, whereas synthetic fibres can trap sweat and heat more, so they often need to be washed more frequently. These are a few things to consider when exploring a routine that works for you. 

Here at Skipper, we help create simple, sustainable everyday habits that lighten your cleaning load and environmental footprint. We’re all about attacking those household chores smarter, not harder. So, why not weave washing bed sheets into elements of life that are already routine? Weekly call with mum - wash your sheets. Just got paid - wash your sheets. A new episode of your favourite podcast just dropped… you get the idea.

How To Wash Bed Sheets 

1. Locate the bed sheet washing instructions tag

You know that little tag with all the funny symbols and a lot of writing on it? You’ll want to take a peek and figure out what everything means. Most sheet sets will come with instructions that’ll make it easier to make sure you’re washing your sheets on the proper cycle and at the right temperature. This will differ depending on the material makeup of your bedding.

2. Separate whites from darks

Wash your white and coloured bedding separately to protect the colour of your sheets. Can you wash bed sheets with clothes? Well, there’s no blanket rule here (pardon the pun), though don’t be surprised if you find the odd stray sock trapped inside your quilt cover or fitted sheet after they’re washed. We recommend reviewing the laundry care tag on your clothes before throwing them in with your sheets.

3. Throw them in

Place your sheets in the washing machine, shaking them a little to ensure they aren’t knotted up. We recommend popping each sheet in one at a time, making sure to distribute them as evenly as possible so that your washing machine doesn’t get thrown off-centre while it’s working - this is especially important for top-loaders.

4. Pop in a Laundry Sheet

Use a people and planet-safe detergent like Skipper Laundry Sheets. Your loyal laundry BFF, these clever detergent sheets are designed to dissolve like magic in hot or cold water. They’re vegan, available in scented or unscented options, and include added enzymes for improved stain performance. It takes the guesswork out of doing the laundry and ensures you get those beautifully fresh feeling sheets each and every time.

5. Skip the dryer

Once your sheets are spick and span, save energy by bypassing the dryer and instead hanging them in the sun if you have an outdoor space. This not only saves a whole lot of money on your energy bills, but it’s also a lot more gentle on the fibres of your bed sheets, keeping them in top condition for longer (which is excellent - because sheets can be pricey to replace!).

6. Optional extra: give them an iron

Once your sheets are spick and span, save energy by bypassing the dryer and instead hanging them in the sun if you have an outdoor space. This not only saves a whole lot of money on your energy bills, but it’s also a lot more gentle on the fibres of your bed sheets, keeping them in top condition for longer (which is excellent - because sheets can be pricey to replace!).

Catch Some Z’s In Cozy, Comfy, Clean Bed Sheets

Clean sheets are step one in creating a dreamy sleep destination. So pop a recurring reminder in the calendar and enjoy hitting the hay on blissfully fresh bedding. If you’re looking for more easy-to-use, environmentally friendly ways to keep your home clean, we’ve got you covered there too.

Along with our laundry sheets, you can also find everything from toilet block cleaners and body wash to universal cleaners and dishwasher tablets. To make it even more simple, we’ve put together a whole lot of starter kits with everything you need and nothing you don’t. When you do run low on anything - especially laundry sheets now that you’ve committed to more laundry - we’ll post any refills you need for free, too!