Over 1 in 4 Americans Are Sleeping In Filthy Beds—How Often to Clean Yours

When was the last time you changed your sheets? A shocking one in four people living in the U.S. may say, “When they looked or smelled dirty,” according to a new survey, which is problematic for several reasons.

Amerisleep just polled 1,000 U.S. adults about their bedding habits and discovered this concerning trend along with a few other revelations. For instance, 27% of Americans only wash their sheets once a month, which is far less than the once-a-week recommendation from most health experts. Here are the full survey results and how your sheets and mattress hygiene could be unknowingly sabotaging your sleep and skin health.

Many Americans Are Sleeping in Dirty Sheets

Amerisleep’s survey included 50% women and 50% men in all different generations, from baby boomers to Gen Z. The results showed that the average adult isn’t keeping up with proper bed hygiene.

Here are some eye-raising stats:

The majority of Americans (37%) wash their sheets every two weeks, while 11% wash them less than once a month
58% of people have never cleaned their mattress
35% wash their comforter or duvet less than once a month, while 33% do it every month
35% wash their pillowcase every two weeks, while 28% do it at least once a week

Neglectful cleaning habits seem to correlate to poorer health, according to the survey results.

For instance, people who rarely washed their sheets were 14% more likely to report brain fog, 11% more likely to feel tired despite seven or more hours of sleep, and 8% more likely to suffer from dry, irritated eyes.

This could be because sleeping in dirty sheets allows bacteria, sweat, allergens, dead skin cells, and even dust mites to build up—causing everything from skin irritation to acne, allergies, and more issues.

Even worse, the average adult is treating their sleep zone as a place where meals and outdoor clothes are acceptable. The survey shows that more than a third of Americans bring food into bed, and 34% admit to getting under the covers without changing out of their outside clothes—essentially welcoming dirt, allergens, and other bacteria into their beds.

Plus, over 42% of people are skipping a post-workout shower and getting straight into bed.

Poor Bedding Hygiene Common Among Gen Z

This new survey found a clear generational divide when it comes to bedding maintenance. Specifically, Gen Zers aren’t keeping things as clean as older adults. They’re twice as likely as other generations to sleep in their outside clothes and 25% more likely to get into bed post-workout without showering.

They’re also almost three times more likely than baby boomers to wait until their sheets look or smell dirty before washing them, despite invisible bacteria building up long before that point. Only 19% of Gen Zers are cleaning their sheets once a week.

But, if you ask someone about their overall bed-washing habits, odds are, they’re not going to tell the truth. According to the survey, one in five people have lied about how often they clean their bedding, with Gen Zers being the worst offenders. Over a third haven’t told the truth, compared to 8% of boomers.

Expert Recommendations for Cleaning Your Bedding

9. Check the Bed Again
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It’s not surprising that all of these dirty habits can catch up with you and your health over time—especially when considering you spend between 49 and 63 hours in bed each week.

“Dirty bedding can lead to a range of issues, from minor breakouts to more serious sleep disruptions,” Amerisleep’s certified sleep coach, Rosie Osmun, says. “Built-up allergens like dust mites and pet dander can trigger sneezing or congestion, while lingering bacteria from unwashed sheets can irritate the skin and scalp. Over time, this can mean more tossing and turning, poor skin recovery, and even worsened allergy symptoms.”

1. Pillowcases and Sheets

Experts recommend washing your sheets and pillowcases at least weekly, but if you have any skin issues, such as acne, oily skin, eczema, or dermatitis, up this to every 2 to 3 days. You should also be washing more frequently if you sweat heavily, have allergies, share a bed with a pet, or are sick. (Choosing breathable fabrics, like cotton or bamboo, can help, too.)

“I know it seems like a lot of work, but trust me: It’s worth it unless you want to marinate in a petri dish full of grossness,” Jason Singh, MD, a primary care doctor and medical content creator, said in a TikTok post. “Fungal organisms like yeast and mold can also ruin your bed sheets, especially if they’re damp from sweat. This creates an environment that can lead to skin infections and smells that will have you gagging.”

The Better Sleep Council also recommends replacing your pillow every 2 to 3 years. And if you use hair oils or other wet products before bed, cover your pillowcase or bed with a towel and invest in a pillowcase protector.

2. Comforters and/or Duvets

Experts recommend washing these top layers every 1 to 2 months.

However, if you forego a top sheet, you’ll want to treat your comforter as you would sheets and change to a weekly washing schedule. Also, in general, avoid sitting on your comforter or duvet with outside clothes, shoes, sweaty gym clothes, food, etc.

3. Mattress

When it comes to mattress care, it’s important to rotate yours every 3 to 6 months “to promote even wear and extend its comfort life,” according to Osmun.

To clean it, once a month, take a vacuum to it to suck up any dirt or dust. Then, sprinkle a layer of baking soda on top and let it sit for a few hours to absorb any odors or stains before vacuuming again, Liz O’Hanlon, director of U.K.-based commercial cleaning service Metro Cleaning Ltd, previously told us.

Investing in a mattress protector can also make sure sweat, spills, and allergens don’t seep into your mattress. And every 7 to 10 years, know that it’s time to get a new one.

Content shared from bestlifeonline.com.

Over 1 in 4 Americans Are Sleeping In Filthy Beds—How Often to Clean Yours — Best Life