We spend roughly a third of our lives in bed. That’s a lot of time for sweat, dead skin cells, body oils, and dust mites to accumulate — and yet bedding is one of the most commonly neglected items in the laundry routine. Many Canadians wash their sheets once a month (or less). The reality? That’s not nearly enough.

This guide breaks down exactly how often each piece of your bedding should be washed, the right way to wash each item, and how to extend the life of your bedding so it stays fresh longer. Whether you’re doing it yourself or handing it off to a laundry service, knowing the basics makes a real difference.

How Often Should You Wash Each Piece of Bedding?

Here’s a simple reference guide. Note that these are general recommendations — if you have allergies, pets in the bed, or sweat heavily, wash more frequently.

The Right Way to Wash Each Item

Sheets & Pillowcases

Wash in warm water (40°C) on a regular cycle. Hot water works well for white cotton sheets and helps kill dust mites, but can fade colours and weaken elastic over time. Tumble dry on medium heat, or line dry in the sun — sunlight is a natural disinfectant and whitener.

Duvet Covers

Use a warm wash on a gentle or normal cycle. Fasten any buttons or zippers before washing so corners don’t get pulled inside out. Shake out and straighten while damp for easiest ironing (or just fold neatly from the dryer for that crisp hotel feel).

Duvets & Comforters

Check the care label first — many can be machine washed at home in a large front-load machine with no centre agitator. Use a gentle cold cycle with a small amount of mild detergent. Toss in a couple of dryer balls and tumble dry on low heat, stopping to fluff every 30 minutes. Down-filled duvets may need 2–3 full drying cycles to avoid mildew in the filling. If unsure, professional laundering is always the safest option for expensive duvets.

Pillows

Most synthetic and down pillows can be machine washed on a gentle warm cycle. Wash two at a time to keep the load balanced. Dry thoroughly on low heat — damp filling inside a pillow is a breeding ground for mold. Squeeze the pillow after drying; if it springs back fully, it’s dry.

Mattress Protectors

5 Habits That Keep Your Bedding Fresher, Longer

1. Air your bed daily

Pull back the duvet for 15–20 minutes each morning before making the bed. This lets moisture from overnight sleep evaporate instead of getting trapped in the fabric.

2. Shower before bed

It sounds obvious, but showering before sleep dramatically reduces the sweat, oils, and skin products transferred to your sheets. Your bedding will stay cleaner noticeably longer.

3. Use a duvet cover — always

A duvet cover protects your expensive duvet insert from body contact, extending its life and reducing how often it needs a deep clean. Think of it like a shirt for your duvet.

4. Store spare bedding properly

Fold clean bedding and store it in a breathable cotton bag or pillowcase — not a plastic bag that traps moisture. Add a lavender sachet to keep it smelling fresh between uses.

5. Rotate your bedding sets

Having two sets of sheets means you can swap immediately on wash day without waiting for the cycle to finish, and each set gets worn and washed less frequently.

When to Let the Pros Handle It

Duvets, mattress toppers, and large household bedding items are awkward to wash at home — they often don’t fit in a standard home washer, and improper drying leads to mildew deep inside the filling. That’s exactly where WeDoLaundry comes in.

We handle oversized household items with commercial-grade machines built for the job, and our wash-and-fold service means your everyday sheets and pillowcases come back neatly folded and fresh — ready to go straight back on the bed. Pickup and delivery runs across Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, and surrounding areas.