How to Wash Bedding: Settings, Temperature, and Frequency
A practical guide to washing bedding, including recommended settings, water temperature, frequency, and tips for washing duvet covers, sheets, and pillowcases without extra hassle.
Contents
Wash bedding once a week in warm or hot water (40–60°C / 104–140°F) on a normal or heavy-duty cycle, using a gentle detergent, and dry thoroughly on low to medium heat. The exact temperature depends on the fabric and care labels: use hot water for white cotton and heavy soiling, warm water for coloured cotton and most blends, and cold water for delicate or dark fabrics. Most bedding can be washed with other similar items, but avoid washing bedding with clothes that have zippers or hooks that can snag, and never wash bedding with towels if you want to prevent pilling. Adding white vinegar to the rinse cycle can soften fabrics and reduce odours, but it is optional and should not replace detergent.
What washing bedding setting should you use?
The best washing bedding setting is usually a normal or heavy-duty cycle with a high or extra-high water level for bulky items. Use a medium or high spin speed to remove as much water as possible before drying. If your machine has a “bedding” or “bulky” cycle, that’s ideal. Always check the care labels on sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers before choosing a cycle, because some fabrics like silk or bamboo require a gentle or delicate cycle.
- Normal/heavy-duty, warm water, high spin: best for cotton and cotton-blend sheets and duvet covers.
- Delicate/gentle, cold water, low spin: for silk, satin, or very thin fabrics.
- Bulky/bedding, any temperature, extra rinse: helps balance large items like comforters or duvets.
Overloading the washing machine prevents bedding from getting clean and can damage the machine. Fill the drum only about three-quarters full, and if washing a large duvet or comforter, use a commercial-size machine or a laundromat if your home machine is too small.
What temperature should you wash bedding?
Washing bedding in hot water (60°C / 140°F) is recommended for white cotton bedding or when someone has been ill, because hot water kills dust mites and removes body oils more effectively. However, hot water can shrink and fade coloured fabrics, so for most everyday bedding, warm water (40°C / 104°F) is a safe choice. Use cold water (30°C / 86°F or below) for dark colours, synthetic fibres, or fabrics labelled cold wash only.
| Fabric type | Water temperature | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| White cotton | Hot (60°C / 140°F) | Removes oils, kills mites, whitens |
| Coloured cotton | Warm (40°C / 104°F) | Cleans well without fading |
| Polyester / blends | Warm (40°C / 104°F) | Effective cleaning, reduces wrinkles |
| Silk / satin | Cold (30°C / 86°F) | Prevents damage and colour loss |
| Dark colours | Cold (30°C / 86°F) | Prevents fading |
Always use a detergent suitable for the fabric type. For heavily soiled bedding, pre-treat stains before washing and consider adding a laundry booster like oxygen bleach for whites.
How often should you wash bedding?
Washing bedding every week is the standard recommendation for sheets and pillowcases, because they collect dead skin cells, sweat, and body oils. Duvet covers can be washed every two to four weeks if you use a top sheet, but if you sleep directly under the duvet, wash it weekly as well. Pillows themselves should be washed every three to six months, and mattress protectors every one to two months.
If you have allergies, pets sleeping on the bed, or you sweat heavily at night, you may need to wash bedding more often. If you are short on time, having two sets of sheets and rotating them can make washing bedding every week less of a chore: strip the bed, put on the clean set, and wash the dirty set when it fits your schedule.
Can you wash bedding with clothes?
Washing bedding with clothes is possible if the fabrics and colours are compatible, but there are a few cautions. Clothes with zippers, buttons, or hooks can snag delicate bedding, so either wash them separately or put bedding in a mesh laundry bag. Towels and bedding should not be washed together because towels produce lint and their rough texture can cause pilling on sheets. Washing bedding with clothes also means you cannot use a bulky cycle, which may be less effective for large items.
A practical rule: wash sheets and pillowcases together as a set, and wash duvet covers alone or with matching pillow shams. This keeps the load balanced and prevents tangling.
Washing bedding with vinegar: helpful or not?
Washing bedding with vinegar can be a cost-effective way to soften fabrics, remove mild odours, and reduce static, especially if you have hard water. Add 120–240 ml (½–1 cup) of white distilled vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser or during the rinse cycle. Do not mix vinegar with bleach or use it with every wash, as the acidity can eventually weaken fibres.
Vinegar is not a replacement for detergent; it does not remove heavy soil or body oils. Use it occasionally as a natural fabric softener alternative, or if your bedding smells musty. The vinegar smell disappears as the bedding dries.
Drying bedding properly
Proper drying is just as important as washing. Shake out bedding before putting it in the dryer to prevent twisting and reduce wrinkles. Dry on low to medium heat, and remove while slightly damp to air dry if possible. This reduces shrinkage and saves energy. Over-drying breaks fibres and causes static. If line drying, hang sheets and duvet covers over a line or rack, preferably outside on a sunny day for freshness.
Check care labels before drying: some fabrics should be air dried only. Down or feather duvets need low heat and dryer balls to fluff them up, while synthetic fillings can usually be dried on medium.