Blankets andcomfortersmay have very little contact with your skin and can bewashed less often.

Beforewashing sheets and bed linens, always read each item’s label to maintain your bedding over time.

Tip

You will need to wash your bedding carefully after dealing with a pest infestation.

woman removing a comforter from the bed

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

The oil and dirt from your body can lead to tough stains on sheets.

Your sheets also collect anything that comes off of your bodyparticularly dead skin, but also bacteria and pathogens.

Be sure to check for andtreat any stainson your sheets no matter how often you wash them.

person removing a pillowcase

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Warm water is much more likely to get them clean without shrinkage.

However, the pillow protectors should be unzipped and washed monthly.

Washing pillow protectors monthly with mildlaundry detergentwill keep them clean and fresh.

woman holding a bed pillow

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Most washing machines can handle washing a pair of pillows at a time.

It’s not a good idea to wash a single pillow because it throws your machine out of balance.

Be sure to follow the specific care instructions for your blankets and wash them as directed.

blanket on a bed

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

you’re able to always wash a blanket in a load by itself if you have any concerns.

Comforters and Duvet Covers

Covers forcomfortersand duvets help protect the interior from most everyday dirt and soiling.

The cover, however, will need to be washed weekly.

person removing duvet cover

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Mattress Covers

Using a mattress cover is a lifesaver in extending the life of your mattress.

Mattress covers can help prevent mattress damage, reduce allergy symptoms, and keep your mattress clean and comfy.

Mattress covers themselves should be removed and washed at least monthly.

woman removing a mattress cover

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Items like bed skirts, canopies, and curtains don’t usually get dirty very often.

Be sure to follow directions to avoid damaging the fabric and toprevent colors from fading.

If you have aheavy winter comforterthat does not have a removable insert, it should be washed seasonally.

Curtains hung on both ends of curtain rod to dry in front of window

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

Laws vary from state to state on how often hotels are required to provide clean bedding.

Down-filled insertsshould be washed once or twice a year.

But wash your comforter any time it gets stained or spilled on.

you might wash your down and down-alternative comforters at home.

Use The Spot Check below for easy stain removal.

Kansas Department of Agriculture, Article 27.Lodging Establishments.

Kansas Secretary of State.

Hotel sanitation; bedding; sheets, towels, drinking glasses, silverware and flatware.

New York Public Health, Chapter 45, Article 13, Title 7, Section 1346.