How often should we wash our sheets?

Washing sheets usually falls to the bottom of the priority totem pole when the never-ending laundry is piling up... but did you know that the average human sheds between 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells a day?

So with about 7hrs of the day spent in bed (unless you are a parent of a newborn!)..... you do the math! And where there are dead skin cells, dust mites are sure to follow.

Dust mites are teeeeeny little invisible creatures that feast on dead skin cells and can take up residence in your sheets, mattresses and pillows! They are actually allergens which can irritate skin, cause acne, watery eyes, congestion and asthma. Top it off with the other dirt left behind from sweat, drool (yup- we said it), and oils from your body and we've got an icky cocktail.

How often should I wash my sheets?

Experts say to wash your sheets at a minimum once every two weeks, and ideally, once a week which can be hard to pull off. So our pro tip is to have a spare set so you can swap out the dirty ones and make your bed right away!

As for the type of sheets you buy, it actually can make all the difference! We aren’t talking about the difference in softness between egyptian cotton and 500 thread count, but rather the quality and safety of the fibers.

Check out our Best Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents That Work blog to learn how to rest peacefully knowing you're safe under your sheets! 

How to choose the safest, natural bedding

Choose only 100% natural fibers to sleep in, including: cotton, linen, silk and wool. These allow your skin to breathe while naturally wicking moisture away from your body!

• Avoid synthetic fibers, like satin sheets for example, which may feel good to the touch but are treated with chemicals and do not allow your skin to breathe.
• Avoid mixed/blended fibers. These might look and feel like cotton or silk, but often they’re mixed with synthetic fibers to improve the texture and reduce costs for the manufacturer.
• Avoid all chemically-treated sheets which bear the names: Anti-static, Easy-care, wrinkle-free, or shrinkage-free - these are all red flags for toxic materials. Many of them release formaldehyde3, which is “complete carcinogen”. It also causes contact dermatitis which may cause either subtle or extreme skin flare ups.

Our favorite brand is Coyuchi -  with sheets, bedding, duvets that are not only affordable starting at $48.00 but safe and sustainable. In fact, Coyuchi has done loads to reduce their environmental footprint and  helps reduce post consumer textile waste! They have a circular initiative that allows you to send back your old Coyuchi linens to be recycled + rehomed.