How Often to Replace Bed Sheets

Last Updated on March 11, 2024

by Marc Werner, Founder - GhostBed

With sleeping between the bed sheets night after night you will want to freshen up the bed with new sheets from time to time. Reasons to replace the bedding can be anything from wanting to swap out sheets worn from use to redecorating or wanting to include new sheets as a mate with a new mattress purchase.

Everyone needs sleep, but even more important is that children need the right amount of mattress hours in order to help them develop and grow mentally and physically. It is vital to get the best mattress for kids, as experts’ state that 40 percent of childhood is spent sleeping.

Different stages of childhood need varying amounts of sleep. Guidelines showcase that as a child grows their sleep pattern will change and adjust. Caregivers should be aware to make sure that a child is getting the proper number of hours sleep that he or she needs. Babies require the most amount of sleep and then the hours drop off from there. In order to get the best sleep possible, it is a must to get the mattress that will besthow promote a good night’s sleep for your kid.

I. Reasons to Replace Bed Sheets

II. How Many Sets of Bed Sheets

III. Buying Bed Sheets

IV. Repurposing and Donating Old Sheets

I. Reasons to Replace Bed Sheets

The oh-so-comfortable mattress has become the new center of home living. We no longer use the bed for just sleep time. Add media time, snack time, and work time in bed to the two-thirds of our lifetime that we spend utilizing the bed for sleep and it is easy to understand how important replacing bed sheets is.

Worn Out Bedding

Bed sheets can get more wear than our clothes. Fashion usually gets changed with every new day whereas the bed clothes are refreshed most commonly once a week. As we sleep skin and hair shed leaving their residue within the bedsheets. Along with night sweat this all creates the perfect home for allergy causing dust mites and bacteria.

When using the bed for lifestyle activities food, makeup, and pets can attribute to even more of a need to upkeep the bedding. Bed sheets should be washed at least once a week to keep the bed clean and healthy. With every activity, and each washing, the bed sheets become increasingly worn. Add to regular washing the need for harsher stain removal.

Eventually you may see the fibers actually-getting damaged causing the worn sheets to rip. Bed sheets will always need to be replaced at some point. Once stains are no longer removable, and rips, tears, and fraying edges are seen, it is probably beyond the time to replace the worn weary bed sheets. Note that even with longer lasting natural fibers, such as cotton, the bed sheets may still seem strong with no visible rips but will look dull and ready to replace.

Bedroom Redecorating

It stands to reason that if you are freshening up the bedroom by redecorating then you will not want to be throwing the old sheets back on the bed. Maybe you have even treated yourself with an entire new and larger mattress with a comfy adjustable bed base begging to be completed with new sets of sheets.

Changing color palettes can trigger the want for new bedding as well. Sheets in soothing neutrals or fun colors and patterns can help change the entire look of a bedroom. This is the perfect way to add some newness to a fresh paint job without spending a tremendous amount on completely new furnishings.

New Bed

Buying a new bed is the perfect reason to purchase new sheet sets. You will want to complete a new mattress with a brand-new protector and the best breathable sheets to create a wonderful bedtime happening to entice sleep. Even when replacing an old bed with the same size mattress you will want to complete the new bed experience by adding fresh sheets.

II. How Many Sets of Bed Sheets

Each bed in the household should have their own sets of sheets, even if you have a couple of beds that are the same size. A good rule of thumb is to have three sets of sheets per bed so that when one is being used another set is set to be washed, while an extra set is in linen closet ready to use. Households with little ones that could wet the bed may need more sets only for these beds affected.

III. Buying Bed Sheets

Buying sheets are not as easy as it once was. With so many fabric choices and mattress sizes it is important to be an informed consumer. It is worth paying a bit more for quality breathable cooling sheets as these will provide ultimate comfort coupled with longer wearing durability.

Retail Store

From big box stores, to department stores, specialty stores, and even some supermarkets you can now wander the aisles seeking bed sheets ready to buy and take home. Some of these stores are charging top dollar to pay for the brick and mortar costs. Be sure of what you want in material, breathability, and price before heading out to shop.

Online

Purchasing your sheets online allows for you to see reviews from others in the same moment as shopping. The online shopping experience also allows for you to find the best bed sheets for your money as most sellers can keep prices lower than the retail shops due to lower overhead. Of course, it is also easy shopping when making a purchase from the comfort of your own bed at any hour of the day or night.

IV. Repurposing and Donating Old Sheets

So, once you have your brand-new sheets what do you do with the old ones. Old sheets are perfect for use around the house, as well as repurposing to create new furnishings.

Donate

If your old sheets are only being discarded because you want to spruce up the room or new bed, and still are not worn, then donate them to a shelter for homeless. You can also donate more lived in sheets to animal shelters.

Use for Cleaning

Instead of buying rags to clean the home and cars with, take the old sheets and cut them into small squares to be used as cleaning cloths.

Save for Drop Cloth

There is at some point a moment when just about everyone finds themselves doing a job that requires a drop cloth. Whether a painting or cleaning project, an old sheet can be stored away ready to unfold to use to protect the floor and furnishings.

Picnic Blanket

A sheet is the perfect picnic blanket for its size and weight. Keep an old sheet folded and packed with your picnic basket and beach bag ready to go and use for a covering to sit upon.

Get Creative

In earlier days, way before we could run out to buy whatever we wished, pioneers would repurpose worn out items to craft new furnishings. By getting creative sheets can be repurposed into pillows, curtains, and rugs.

Sheets are the perfect material to turn into a beautiful rug or quilt. Cut the sheets into strips that can be used to weave into a rag rug. Use fabric from sheets cut into squares to sew into a beautiful new quilt.


Marc Werner - Founder, GhostBed

Marc Werner

Founder - GhostBed

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Marc has spent the last two decades designing & manufacturing mattresses and other sleep products, drawing on a lifetime of experience working with the material sciences. With several patents to his name, he works closely with the GhostBed team to create products with the perfect balance of comfort & support. Learn More

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