Washing bedding: what temperature and how often

2026-05-09 7 min. skaitymo

Bedding is the fabric your body is in contact with for the longest — the average person spends 2500-3000 hours a year in it. Every night you sweat (200-500 ml on average), shed skin cells (~50 million per night) and breathe onto your pillow. All of this is absorbed by your bedding. Washing bedding properly isn't marketing — it's a health matter. In this article: what temperature you need, how often to change it, and how to get rid of that stale bedding smell.

How often to change your bedding

General recommendations by situation:

Situation	Recommended change
Standard situation (healthy adult)	Every 1-2 weeks
Summer, lots of sweating	Every week
Allergy sufferers (dust mites)	Every week, washed at 60 °C
Households with pets on the bed	Every 5-7 days
After illness	Immediately, washed at 60 °C
Baby's cot	Every 3-5 days
After sexual activity	Every 3-5 days

These are general recommendations. In practice, your body will give you signals — if your bedding starts to smell, that's a sign to change it, even if the calendar says it's not yet time.

Temperature by material

Cotton bedding

The most durable. Can be washed anywhere in the 30-90 °C range:

30-40 °C — for routine washing (every 1-2 weeks). Sufficient if there's no allergy or illness.
60 °C — seasonally (once a month) or if you're allergic to dust mites. Kills dust mites.
90 °C — after illness, when someone in the family is ill, or for cloth nappies.

Linen bedding

The premium choice. More delicate:

30-40 °C as standard
60 °C maximum — anything higher can damage the fibres
A gentle wash is especially important for linen — an enzyme laundry detergent is ideal

Silk bedding

Luxurious and delicate. Only:

30 °C maximum
A special delicates detergent (not enzyme-based)
Little fabric softener (or none)
Never in a tumble dryer

Synthetic / blended bedding

Polyester and blends:

30-40 °C
NEVER above 60 °C — the fibres can deform
Never tumble dry on high heat

Duvets and pillows (inners)

Most of these items need specific care:

Feather duvets — 30 °C, special cleaners, dry thoroughly (important — moisture damages feathers)
Synthetic fillings — 40 °C, medium intensity
Silk fillings — take them to a specialist

The dust mite problem

Dust mites (Dermatophagoides) live in all bedding. Practically 100% of households have them. For most people they cause no problems. But for allergy sufferers (~20% of adults and up to 30% of children) they're the main source of symptoms (morning sneezing, dry nose, itching).

What kills dust mites

Washing at 60 °C+ — kills all mites and their eggs
Washing at 30-40 °C — reduces them, but doesn't kill them
A few hours of sunlight — UV is effective
Freezing (24 hours in the freezer) — an alternative when hot washing isn't possible
Specialised anti-allergy fabrics — a physical barrier

A strategy for allergy sufferers

Wash bedding at 60 °C every week
Use anti-allergy pillow and duvet covers
Get rid of decorative cushions on the bed
Air your mattress regularly
Reduce humidity in the bedroom (mites love >50% humidity)

Choosing a laundry detergent for bedding

Bedding is in contact with your skin for 7-8 hours — so detergent residue left on the fibres matters a great deal. What to look for:

No dyes — they serve no function
No optical brighteners — no benefit for everyday bedding
No harsh surfactants — residue can irritate the skin
Subtle or no fragrance — you breathe that scent in all night
Enzyme-based — better at removing sweat and body oil residue

Ecozyme enzyme laundry detergent is suitable for washing bedding day to day. Its subtle fragrance (notes of red apple, peony and rose) is a bedroom-friendly choice that isn't overpowering. But if you're very sensitive to fragrances or have atopic dermatitis, a completely fragrance-free specialist detergent is a better choice. Read more in our article on laundry detergent for sensitive skin.

How often to change bedding by age group

Baby bedding

Every 3-5 days at a minimum
After a nappy "accident" — immediately
40-60 °C with a gentle enzyme laundry detergent
NO fabric softener
Read more in our guide to washing baby clothes

Children's bedding

Every 5-7 days
40-60 °C, enzyme laundry detergent
No fabric softener (or a minimal amount, and only for older children)

Adult bedding

Every 1-2 weeks
40 °C routinely, 60 °C once a month to disinfect
A gentle enzyme laundry detergent

Bedding of someone who is ill

After illness — change immediately
60-90 °C with a full dose of enzyme laundry detergent
Wash separately from other bedding

The stale bedding smell problem

A typical scenario: the bedding looks clean but doesn't smell "right" like freshly washed laundry. The smell comes from:

Bacteria that survived a low-temperature wash
Detergent residue that changes over time
Body oils that weren't fully removed
Moisture in the washing machine, or insufficient ventilation while drying

The solution

Soak the bedding in a bucket with 100 ml of white vinegar + 2 tablespoons of soda for 60 minutes
Wash at 60 °C with a full dose of enzyme laundry detergent
Add an extra rinse
Dry in a well-ventilated room or outdoors in the sun
Ironing provides extra sterilisation (for cotton)

Practical tips

Summer season

Wash more often (every week)
Lighter cotton bedding is better than synthetics
Drying in the sun is a natural disinfectant

Winter season

You can wash less often (every 2 weeks)
Thicker fabrics retain warmth well
When drying indoors, ventilate well

First wash of new bedding

ALWAYS wash new bedding before using it
Removes chemical residues from processing
Gets rid of storage dust
30 °C with an enzyme laundry detergent

Storing bedding

In a dry, ventilated place
Don't store it in damp bathroom cupboards
Lavender sachets are a natural moth repellent

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need to wash new bedding before using it?

Yes. Chemicals are used in textile manufacturing (formaldehyde, optical brighteners, starch). The first wash removes most of these substances and "opens up" the fibres.

What's the difference between cotton and linen bedding?

Cotton is cheaper, more durable and less delicate. Linen is premium, better at regulating temperature (cooler in summer, warmer in winter) and naturally antimicrobial. Linen bedding lasts 5-10 years longer than cotton.

Do pillows need washing?

Yes. The pillow itself (the filling) should be washed every 3-6 months. The pillowcase — every week. Many people only wash pillowcases, but the pillow itself collects just as many dust mites.

What about duvets, and how often?

The duvet itself (the filling) — every 3-6 months. The cover — every 1-2 weeks along with your bedding.

Can washing soda be used to remove odours?

Yes. Both washing soda (sodium carbonate) and household baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can be added to your detergent to tackle odour problems. 1-2 tablespoons for a standard washing machine load.

Why does my bedding sometimes smell "musty" after washing?

It's a sign that the washing machine itself is dirty or that the bedding sat damp for too long before drying. The solution: check your dosing, clean the washing machine monthly, and dry more promptly after washing.

Summary

Washing bedding matters more than most people think — your body is in contact with it for longer than anything else in the day. The key rules: change it every 1-2 weeks (more often for children and allergy sufferers), wash at 30-40 °C routinely and at 60 °C once a month to disinfect, use a gentle enzyme laundry detergent without optical brighteners, and always add an extra rinse. In summer, wash more often; in winter, you can wash less often. Always wash new bedding before using it for the first time.

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