Bed sheets wear out quickly because they are used so often, but Katie Alex, design director at Brooklinen, says a few habits can keep them fresher for longer between washes. Her advice includes treating stains immediately, rotating between several sheet sets, using a top sheet, and giving pets their own layer if they sleep in bed.
Alex said, “It’s no secret that the bed is a central spot in our lives. Whether you eat in bed or let pets sleep with you, spills happen and dirt builds up.” She recommends keeping a spot stain remover nearby and treating marks right away instead of waiting until laundry day, so the stain does not set into the fabric.
She also warns against relying on one set of sheets all the time. Repeated washing weakens fibers over time, which can cause fading, odors, pilling, tears, and harder stain removal. Rotating several sets helps each one last longer. If you use a comforter or duvet, Alex says a top sheet is worth keeping because it is easier to wash than removing and laundering a duvet cover. For pets, she suggests a light blanket at the foot of the bed as a washable protective layer.
Alex says pillowcases should be changed twice as often as sheets, and the bedroom should be aired out daily to reduce dust and allergens that cling to fabric. Fabric refresher spray can help mainly with smell. Signs that a set should be replaced include yellowing or fading that washing no longer fixes, thin fabric, tears or holes, a stretched sheet that has lost its shape, worn elastic, persistent bad odor, permanent stains, and a rough texture that irritates the skin.
To make bedding last, the recommendation is to keep two or three sets in rotation, wash on a gentle cycle in cold water, avoid harsh detergents and fabric softener, and wash white sheets weekly. If yellowing starts, adding half a cup of baking soda to the machine may help.
