How Often Should You Buy New Sheets?

The sheets you sleep on have a limited lifespan. Depending on the fabric, they may lose color, get rougher, shrink, or pill after repeated washes. For this reason, it’s recommended to buy new sheets every two to five years. 

However, there are no set rules on how often you should replace your sheets. It all comes down to the material they are made of and other factors, such as their overall condition. If you have multiple sets of sheets and rotate them regularly, you may be able to use them for quite a long time. 

How Long Do Bed Sheets Last?

Bed sheets can last anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the threat count, ply, materials, and how often you sleep on them. 

Natural fibers like cotton and linen are often stronger and more durable than their synthetic counterparts. For example, Egyptian cotton bed sheets can last five to 10 years or longer, whereas polyester sheets have an average lifespan of one to three years. 

You also need to consider the detergents used, which may vary in quality and can affect the fabric’s properties. For instance, one study found that liquid detergents tend to reduce cotton fabric strength to a greater extent than powder detergents. 

Other factors that may influence the lifespan of your sheets include:

• Frequency of use: The more often you sleep on a particular set of sheets, the faster it will wear out. 
• Environmental conditions: Excessive sweat, body oils, dead skin cells, and the presence of bed bugs or dust mites can cause your sheets to deteriorate more quickly.
• Pets: Sharing the bed with your dog or other pets can lift your mood, ease insomnia, and improve sleep quality. The downside is that you might need to get new sheets more often. Pets can have debris, bacteria, insects, or allergens on their fur and paws, which may affect the appearance and integrity of your sheets. 
• Children: Babies and small children can wet the bed or leave food stains on the sheets. Some also suck their thumbs or play in bed, causing the sheets to wear out faster. 
• Usage habits: Tossing and turning during sleep, eating or drinking in bed, and other habits can affect the lifespan of your sheets. 
• Washing machine quality: Some washing machines may leave soap spots on your sheets and clothes or fail to clean them properly. As a result, they can cause premature wear and tear.

Another factor to consider is how often you wash your sheets. If you do it too often or not often enough, they may wear out prematurely.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Sheets 

The fibers of your sheets will deteriorate over time, and this process can take months or years. However, you may need to replace your bed linens sooner rather than later if they have stains, tears, or holes. 

With that in mind, here are some telltale signs it’s time to get new sheets:

• Stubborn stains that resist multiple washes 
• Visible wear and tear (e.g., fading, discoloration, or large tears)
• Skin irritation or allergic reactions 
• Persistent odors 
• Diminished softness
• Excessive shrinkage
• Excessive pilling

For instance, your sheets can develop a rough texture over the years due to frequent washing, wear and tear, or fabric breakdown. 

When that happens, they may no longer provide the comfort needed for a good night’s sleep. They may still look good, but you might be better off buying a new set of sheets. 

It’s also worth mentioning that all bed linens can attract bugs, which may cause asthma, allergies, and skin problems.

For example, ongoing exposure to dust mites can trigger allergic reactions or worsen asthma, resulting in breathing problems, wheezing, coughing, postnasal drip, or itchy skin. 

How to Make Your Sheets Last Longer

Your favorite sheets won’t last forever, but there are things you can do to extend their lifespan. 

A good strategy is to use at least two sets of sheets. Alternate them regularly to reduce wear and tear and prevent issues like pilling, fading, or discoloration. 

How you wash them matters, too. 

Low-temperature cycles can increase their lifespan but may also leave bacteria and dust mites behind. The safest choice is to wash your sheets at 140° F or follow the instructions on the label. 

You’ll also want to spot-treat any stains before washing. Natural laundry stain removers like hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, white vinegar, or lemon juice are gentler than chemical cleaning solutions, so you should try those first. 

Ideally, avoid using bleach, fabric softeners, and harsh detergents. For example, bleach can damage the fabric, while softeners may cause residue buildup over time. 

Apart from that, dry your sheets on low or medium heat to prevent shrinkage and maintain their softness. If you can dry them in the sun, that’s even better. 

As far as storage goes, keep them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight to prevent mold and discoloration. A drawer, closet, or storage box should do the trick. 

Note that keeping your sheets in their original plastic bags can cause them to turn yellow. Instead, store them in a well-ventilated area to preserve their color and prevent odor buildup.

Lastly, always wash your sheets before storing them. Otherwise, they may form yellow stains. If they get wrinkled, iron them on low heat to avoid damaging the fabric.