Hey you, when's the last time you did a sniff test on your sheets? Yeah, we know, it's gross. But don't act all high and mighty, because chances are your bed linens are overdue for a wash. We get it, laundry is about as fun as cleaning the lint trap. But unless you want to start sleeping in a petri dish, it's time to load up the washing machine. In this article, we'll give you the dirty details on how often you should really be washing your sheets, towels, undies - you name it. And we'll let you in on some secrets, like why you should swap out your traditional chemical detergents for eco-friendly detergents like Sudsi. So plug your nose and dive in. It's time to come clean about your laundry habits.
The Importance of Regular Laundry
It's time for some real talk - how often are you really washing those sheets? If you're like most people, the answer is probably "not often enough." While there's no set rule, most experts recommend washing your sheets at least once every 7-14 days.
Why so frequent? For starters, your bed collects a lot of grime over the course of a week. Dust mites, dead skin cells, body oils, and all manner of microscopic creepy-crawlies accumulate while you sleep. Washing removes these undesirables and keeps your bed fresh.
There are also hygiene factors to consider. Bacteria grow rapidly in the warm, moist environment under your sheets. Washing them regularly prevents the buildup of bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. No one wants to sleep in a petri dish!
Of course, some situations call for more frequent washings, like if you've been sick, sweating a lot, or doing ahem other activities in bed. In these cases, it's best to wash your sheets within 2-3 days.
While washing sheets and bedding regularly may seem tedious, it's worth it for your health, hygiene, and sleep quality. Sweet dreams!
Recommended Laundry Frequency for Common Items
Listen, we get it. Doing laundry ranks right up there with going to the dentist or filing taxes. But unless you want to start your own bacteria farm, it's time to suck it up and wash those sheets!
How often should you really wash the linens? Here are the straight facts:
- Bedsheets:
Every 1-2 weeks. As you sleep, your body sheds skin cells, sweat, secretions and oils onto the sheets. After a couple weeks, your bed can become a petri dish of nastiness. Most of it is actually dust mites and their feces. Glamorous, right? Dead skin cells also make up about 1/3 of the dust, then there's drool and food crumbs too - yes, we know about your late night snacks and breakfasts in bed!
- Towels:
After 3 uses, or 3-5 days between washes depending on how often they're used. Towels may seem clean, but they’re breeding grounds for bacteria and mildew. Give towels a sniff test and touch test before throwing them in the hamper, and they’ll let you know when it’s time. Damp and smell musty? Time for a clean! Towels are designed to absorb moisture but if they don't dry out properly between each use, they can end up spreading more germs than they wipe off!
- Jeans:
After 2-3 wears. Denim can definitely be worn a few times before washing, but any more than 3 wears and they’ll need a good scrubbing. Spot-clean any visible stains before tossing in the wash.
For most people, washing thicker clothing items after every 3 wears is a good rule of thumb. Obviously, wash anything thinner, stained or smelly sooner. And while jeans can last even longer between washes, other clothes like t-shirts and socks need washing more often. When in doubt, do a sniff test. Your nose knows.
- Underwear:
After every wear. Do we really need to spell this one out for you? Wash your unmentionables after each use, people. No ifs, ands, or butts about it. Pun intended!
When it’s time to wash, be kind to the planet and use an eco-friendly detergent like Sudsi. Their dissolvable laundry sheets are natural, mess-free, and leave your clothes clean without the harsh chemicals regular detergents like liquids, powders and pods have. Your sheets, towels, and undies will thank you for it. Now go do some laundry already!
Fun Laundry Facts & Tips
Did you know the average person washes their sheets once every 24 days? Yuck! While we’re not here to judge your laundering habits (side eye), it’s a good idea to wash your linens at least once a week or every other week. Here are some quirky facts and tips to convince you it’s time for laundry day:
- The typical household runs between 300 to 400 loads of laundry per year. That’s a lot of detergent and water usage, so consider switching to eco-friendly detergents like Sudsi that are gentle on the environment.
- Washing bed sheets in hot water (at least 60°C or 140°F) kills dust mites, the microscopic creatures that feed on your dead skin cells and call your bed home. Pleasant dreams!
- White clothes aren’t actually “whitest” when bleached—they’re brightest when washed in hot or warm water since heat helps lift stains from fabrics. Save the bleach for tough stains and dingy whites.
- The laundry room is the most dangerous room in the home due to slipping hazards, fires, and equipment malfunctions. So watch your step and never leave the washer or dryer running when you leave the house or go to sleep. Safety first!
- It’s a myth that washing jeans after every wear will ruin them. As long as you wash them properly by turning them inside out, using cold water and a delicate cycle, and air drying them away from heat and sunlight, your jeans will last just as long.
- If you want fluffier towels, add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. The acid in vinegar helps lift fibers and prevents buildup, leaving towels softer and more absorbent. (Chemical fabric softeners create build-up and clog washing machines too, so vinegar is a great alternative)
Who knew laundry could be so fascinating? Now go forth and wash—your sheets and towels will thank you, and so will your houseguests!
Eco-Friendly Laundry With Sudsi
You want clean sheets, but you also don’t want to trash the planet in the process. What’s an eco-conscious laundress to do? Have no fear, Sudsi is here to save the day (and the whales).
Sudsi laundry detergent sheets are an innovative, mess-free way to get your linens fresh without harsh chemicals. Made from natural ingredients like soap nuts, coconut oil, and baking soda, these little sheets pack a cleaning punch without the plastic bottles. Simply toss one in with your wash and say “buh-bye” to detergent spills, measuring cups, and pollution.
Not only are Sudsi sheets better for the environment, but they’re gentle on your fabrics too. No more faded or frayed materials from harsh detergents. Your clothes and sheets will be soft, bright, and smelling springtime fresh. While traditional liquid or powder detergents can leave behind chemical residues even after rinsing, Sudsi sheets rinse clean away leaving nothing behind but clean results.
If going green has you seeing dollar signs, don’t worry—Sudsi sheets won’t break the bank. They’re an affordable eco-friendly option for any budget. Especially if you subscribe to their home-delivery service; you can receive a discount so with each wash you're saving more and more money than you would by buying individual heavy jugs of traditional detergent and lugging each one home from the supermarket. Compared to bulky detergent bottles, the compact sheets also save space in your laundry room and landfills.
Still not convinced it’s time to kick the detergent bottle habit? Think of it this way: every plastic bottle saved is one less polluting our rivers and oceans. And one step closer to clean, green sheets you can feel good about. Your bedsheets, your conscience, and Mother Nature will all rest easier with Sudsi. The choice is clear—make the switch to sustainable detergent wash sheets and say goodbye to traditional powder and liquid detergents for good.
It's All Come Out In The Wash
And there you have it, people! The dirty truth on how often you should be washing those bedsheets you spend a third of your life nestled in. We get it, laundry is about as fun as vacuuming or organising your sock drawer. But trust us, your bed buddy will thank you for keeping things fresh. So be a boss and commit to a fresh, new laundry routine. Treat your linens to a bubbly Sudsi soak and rid yourself of the chemical sheet storm! Your bedding will be smiling and so will you - freshly scented dreams ahead. Now go forth and wash, you wonderfully hygienic human you.