Common Bedding Washing Mistakes — Are You Making These?

How often do you wash your bedding properly?
We spend 7 to 8 hours a day wrapped in our sheets and duvet covers, yet many of us are unknowingly shortening the life of our bedding — or worse, compromising our comfort and health — by washing them the wrong way.

Let’s uncover the most common bedding washing mistakes and see how many you’ve been making!

❌ Mistake 1: The More Detergent, the Cleaner

Many people believe that adding extra laundry detergent means a deeper clean.
In reality, too much detergent can leave residue on your bedding, which may cause skin irritation or even trigger allergies.

✅ What to do instead: Follow the recommended dosage on the detergent label. Use a gentle detergent, and reduce the amount if you live in a soft water area.

❌ Mistake 2: Hot Water Kills All Germs

It’s true that hot water can disinfect, but certain fabrics like Tencel, modal, or color-printed cotton can shrink or fade when exposed to high temperatures.

✅ What to do instead: Always check the care label. Most bedding is best washed in warm water (around 30–40°C / 85–100°F).

❌ Mistake 3: Only Wash the Sheets — Duvet Covers Can Wait

Think the duvet cover or pillowcases don’t get that dirty? Think again.
These items absorb sweat, body oils, and dead skin just like your sheets.

✅ What to do instead: Wash pillowcases and duvet covers every 1–2 weeks, and change sheets weekly if possible.

❌ Mistake 4: It’s Fine to Wash Bedding with Clothes

Throwing everything in the same load may seem convenient, but it’s not ideal.
Zippers, buttons, or rough fabrics from clothing can damage soft bedding material.

✅ What to do instead: Wash bedding separately or only with other soft, similar items.

❌ Mistake 5: Spin Dry and Sun-Dry to Kill Everything

Sunlight can indeed help sanitize your laundry, but direct exposure may cause dark or printed fabrics to fade over time.

✅ What to do instead: Air-dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area whenever possible. If drying under the sun, turn bedding inside out to protect the colors.