# How often do you change your sheets? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 12, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673 "2011-05-12T17:01:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/41 "2011-05-13T04:24:13Z")
I started changing the sheets weekly when I thought i was allergic to dust (turned out I was just having withdrawal from the antihistamines I used to take daily) and now I guess i’m in the habit of it. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/42 "2011-05-13T05:36:44Z")
I do laundry every 2 weeks, sometimes the sheets make it into my 2 loads each time, sometimes every other time, so sheets go in every 2-4 weeks. In the summer it’s pretty much every 2 weeks since I’m sweatier then, and I do 4 loads then, throwing the couch cover and blankets in. Since I have a laundry room, it’s just as easy to do 4 loads as 3. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/43 "2011-05-13T05:54:44Z")
> [@PapSett](#): > > Clean sheets are one of the siple pleasures in life. I chose every week, but on occasion, if I get busy, it stretches out to 2 weeks. If I had the time I’d change 'em every couple days just because I love the smell/feel of fresh sheets. This. I love the feel and smell of clean sheets. I change them at least twice a week. High count linen sheets. I wash my pillows and blankets often as well. I just like the way they smell and feel. Cheap and easy and if M were to want to sleep in my bed, I won’t have to scamper around and change sheets. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/44 "2011-05-13T12:28:49Z")
Every few months, or unless I have a special ladyfriend coming over, whichever is more frequent. I haven’t changed my sheets since March ☹ ---
**Author:** ![expectopatronum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/expectopatronum/32/173_2.png) [@expectopatronum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/expectopatronum)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/45 "2011-05-17T05:43:16Z")
> [@kapri](#): > > For me it’s not about going to bed dirty or the sheets smelling or anything like that. After about a week the sheets get kind of wrinkly and sort of loose, and washing them makes them all smooth and tight again. I like that. > > (All of that sounds kinda dirty, doesn’t it?) no, i’m with you there. i toss and turn a lot and it makes the sheets get loose and such, like you said. my sheets don’t actually even get touched most of the time. i have a fitted sheet, then a comforter, and a thin blanket on top, and i usually just sleep on top of the comforter under the blanket. i like it cold when i sleep so being under the comforter is too warm for me. i currently only have one set of sheets but i wash them about every two weeks, sometimes more often. makes em nice and smooth, plus they smell nice and fruity from the detergent i use. it’s nice to lay down on a bed that’s slightly warm from the sheets/comforter being in the dryer and has that nice clean smell. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/46 "2011-05-17T06:43:00Z")
On average, probably about once a month. This is longer than it should be, but I am a filthy bachelor. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/47 "2011-05-17T10:32:37Z")
Gosh, I would feel itchy if I went more than a week without clean sheets. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/48 "2011-05-17T10:47:46Z")
I voted for more than once a week, but that happens only at my wife’s request and because we have someone to do laundry for us… When I lived in student digs, it was once a month, and every time I saw how dirty the water was (the washing machine emptied into the kitchen sink) I resolved to clean them more often. Never did… Grim ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/49 "2011-05-17T13:27:07Z")
Mother always changed sheets once a week, so I guess that rubbed off on me. All my life I’ve changed my sheets once a week without fail, even when I was a bachelorette. I also change out the bathroom towels, and kitchen towels. It’s easy for me to keep up with things this way. I wash all my clothes and hubby’s clothes on the same day too. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/50 "2011-05-17T14:01:39Z")
Our cleaning lady washes the sheets when she’s here, which is every other week. Decided not to flip a coin between ‘once a week’ and ‘once every few weeks.’ ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/51 "2011-05-17T14:10:36Z")
Bottom sheet every week, duvet cover every one, two weeks. Three weeks if I lose count or have too much other laundry. I’d wash my sheets more often if washing also got rid of cat hair more effectively. I have three cats sleeping on the bed. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/52 "2011-05-18T11:53:07Z")
Probably once a week, but it’s not some sort of plan. It’s just when it seems dirty. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/53 "2011-05-18T19:10:17Z")
I said “once a month” but it’s more like every 3 weeks unless we’re too busy to get around to it. My kids, on the other hand… well, they do their own laundry and my son will not voluntarily change his sheets EVER - just doesn’t occur to him. I need to make him do this more often. My daughter is about the same. Blech. ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2011, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/54 "2011-05-19T03:47:46Z")
I’m weird in that I usually sleep between the blanket and the duvet at home. I do wash those sometimes too, but not as often as the sheets. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2011, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/55 "2011-05-22T01:33:20Z")
usually every other week, but occasionally every week if I happen to flop down w/o showering now and then (I usually shower at night.) ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2011, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/56 "2011-05-22T01:37:48Z")
Same as when I change my socks: when they break. Quasi ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2011, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/57 "2011-05-22T02:10:52Z")
Once every 1.5-2 weeks. But I shower right before bed and sleep alone, so they don’t get that dirty. I’d do it more often but a load of laundry costs $3 to wash and dry at my apartment so it’s not economical. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2011, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/58 "2011-05-22T04:03:25Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Same as when I change my socks: when they break. > > Quasi I’m sorry. I should have written that I voted for every few weeks. I also meant to add a smiley after my flippant answer. My bad. Q ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2011, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/59 "2011-05-22T05:02:11Z")
Back in the old days, Mom taught us to change the sheets every week. Only we threw the bottom sheet into the laundry and used the top sheet as the bottom sheet for the following week. Fitted bottom sheets were invented some time after I moved out so now we change both every week. I’m really worried about some of you. You might shower before going to bed, but you are shedding millions of dead skin cells every night as you sleep stimulating the appetite of dustmites who fornicate, defecate and urinate by the millions onto your sheets. Everytime you adjust your position clouds of dust mite shit billow around your nostrils. I like to keep that level of shit to a minimum. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs\_Johnson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@Mrs\_Johnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs_Johnson)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2011, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673/60 "2011-05-22T05:05:31Z")
Once per week. More often if necessary since one of the dogs usually sleeps with us. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets/581673.md?page=4)