Woman arranging her pillows in her bedroom

How to Clean Your Bedding the Right Way (Without The Hassle)

Keeping your bedding clean doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending task. You spend nearly a third of your life in bed—so why not make that time feel as fresh, clean, and cosy as possible?

Whether you're a night sweater, a sensitive sleeper, or just love that just-washed sheet feeling, this guide will teach you everything you need to know—from how often to wash your bedding to our top tips for keeping everything soft, snuggly, and long-lasting.

Older couple doing their laundry together

How Often Should You Wash Your Bedding?

It might not be visible, but your sheets can quickly become a collection site for dead skin cells, sweat, oils, dust mites, pet hair, and more. The longer you leave them, the more they build up—and the more they can affect your sleep quality and even your skin.

Here’s your fuss-free wash frequency guide:

Item

Recommended Wash Frequency

Bed sheets & pillowcases

Every 7 days (or more often in summer or if you sweat at night)

Duvet covers

Every 2–4 weeks

Mattress protectors

Every 6–8 weeks

Duvets & comforters

Every 3–6 months

Pillows

Every 6 months (use protectors and refresh with a spritz in between)

 

💡Tip: If you sweat at night or suffer from allergies, wash your sheets more often and opt for moisture-wicking, hypoallergenic bedding like Cosy House’s 100% Bamboo Bed Sheets for a fresher feel between washes. Pair with 100% Bamboo Pillowcases for a soft, gentle snooze that’s kind to your skin, hair, and sinuses.

Young woman replacing her bed sheets

Fresh Air & Clean Sheets: The Cosy Guide to Bedding Care

Skip the hot water and harsh chemicals. Here's how to clean your bed sheets the right way—without breaking a sweat:

Use Cool or Warm Water

Hot water might seem like the go-to for killing germs, but it can actually damage fibres, fade colours, and wear out your bedding faster. A 30–40°C wash is ideal for preserving fabric quality while still getting a thorough clean.

Choose a Gentle, Non-Toxic Detergent

Avoid detergents with harsh chemicals like bleach or synthetic fragrances. They can irritate skin and degrade fabric. Opt for fragrance-free or natural formulas to keep your bedding and skin happy!

Don’t Overstuff the Drum

Give your bedding space to tumble and rinse properly. Overloading leads to uneven cleaning and tangled sheets.

Dry Smartly

For British homes: 

  • Use a tumble dryer on low-to-medium heat to prevent bobbles and shrinkage, but remove sheets while still slightly damp to reduce wrinkles.

  • Line drying outdoors is an excellent choice during drier months, but avoid prolonged exposure to harsh sunlight as it can break down fibres.

  • Indoor drying? Crack a window or use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture buildup, especially in winter.

💡Tip: Keeping your bed fresh is essential in the UK's damper climate. Always ensure items are completely dry before putting them away to avoid mould or mildew.

Add Wool Dryer Balls

Reduce the use of dyes, chemicals, and synthetic fragrances even more while naturally softening your sheets with dryer balls. All-Natural Wool Dryer Balls help you do the job effortlessly by reducing static, wrinkling, tangling, and drying time by 30%! Simply add them to your tumble cycle with your laundry.

Older man lifting up his mattress to clean

Don’t Forget to Clean These, Too

Pillows
Wash every 6 months using a gentle cycle and warm water. Use a second rinse to flush out detergent residue and tumble dry on a low setting until completely dry. In winter months, hang pillows in a warm, well-ventilated airing cupboard for a finishing dry if you don't have access to an outdoor line or prefer not to tumble dry.

💡Tip: Switch to the Cosy House Luxury Bamboo Pillow to pamper yourself properly—the soft bamboo viscose is hypoallergenic and repels pesky irritants to keep your bed fresh. Use a Bamboo Pillow Protector to keep sweat, drool, and nasties out of your pillow core, extending its lifespan and freshness.

Duvets & Duvet Covers
Most down-alternative styles (like Cosy’s!) are machine-washable—just always double-check the care label before you pop it in. To reiterate, duvet cover washing should be: 

  • Every 2–4 weeks, under everyday use

  • Every 1–2 weeks, if you skip a top sheet or sleep without pyjamas

Line drying outside in spring or summer sun is ideal for duvets—but if drying indoors, use a heated airer or radiator rack and flip periodically to speed things up evenly without overheating fibres.

💡Tip: Spot-clean spills quickly to prevent set-in stains—especially tea or morning brekkie mishaps in bed!

Mattresses
Mattresses can harbour dust, sweat, and even mould in damp, hot bedrooms—so it’s worth freshening yours regularly:

  1. Strip your bed fully and wash all bedding.

  2. Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda evenly across the mattress.

  3. Let it sit for at least an hour (ideally with a window open to ventilate the space).

  4. Hoover it thoroughly using an upholstery attachment.

Use a Cosy House Bamboo Waterproof Mattress Protector for UK homes where humidity, condensation, or pets can lead to faster wear and hidden moisture damage. It also acts as an invisible shield against spills, sweat, and irritants, and is machine washable!

💡Tip: Flip or rotate your mattress every 3–6 months to avoid uneven wear. If you have a memory foam or hybrid mattress, check manufacturer guidance—many are rotate-only.

Cosy House 100% Bamboo Bedding

Why Bamboo Bedding Makes Cleaning Easier (and Better)

Still struggling with musty sheets, stubborn stains, or bedding that doesn’t feel quite fresh? The problem might be your fabric. 100% viscose derived from bamboo bedding is a dream come true for clean-conscious sleepers:

  • Naturally moisture-wicking → stays drier for longer

  • Odour-resistant → less washing, more freshness

  • Hypoallergenic & gentle on sensitive skin

  • Thermo-regulating → perfect for the UK's ever-changing weather

  • Machine washable & durable → holds up beautifully, wash after wash

Cosy House bamboo bedding is designed to simplify your routine, protect your sleep, and help your bedroom smell, feel, and look fresher—every single day—from sheets to pillowcases to duvets and protectors and more! Less washing. Less faff. More cosy sleep.

✨ Extra Cosy Tips to Keep Your Bed Fresh

  1. Let the air in – Open windows daily (even just a crack) to reduce humidity and freshen up your space.

  2. Use indoor plants – English ivy and peace lilies help purify the air and reduce airborne dust.

  3. Linen spray refresh  In between washes, spray your bedding with lavender or eucalyptus mist for a calming scent.

  4. Declutter the nightstand – Fewer knick-knacks mean less dust and easier cleaning.

Cosy House Collection products + bedding

Sleep Clean. Sleep Happy.

Caring for your bedding doesn't have to be complicated—or time-consuming. With the right materials, a smart wash schedule, and a few thoughtful upgrades, you can create a cleaner, cosier bedroom you’ll love climbing into.

Whether you're deep-cleaning for the season or just refreshing your weekly routine, let Cosy House Collection be your partner in better bedding.

💬 Sleepers Love Cosy!

40,000+ 5-Star Reviews
Thousands of Happy Sleepers Worldwide
Loved Across the UK and Beyond

Join the Cosy Community and discover why so many customers have switched to bamboo—and never looked back.

From hot sleepers to sensitive skin types, and busy households to peaceful solo snoozers, our customers rave about the difference Cosy House bedding makes:

  • Softer sleep from night one
  • Fresher-feeling sheets for longer
  • Easier laundry days with less washing needed
  • A planet-friendly swap they can feel good about

🌟 Real Reviews from Real Sleepers:

"The best bedsheets ever!!! I have been searching for the perfect bedsheets and when I saw these 100% Bamboo Bed Sheets on Cosy House’s website I knew I had to get them. They are the softest bedsheets I have ever had and they kept me cool all night. I love that they have extra straps in the corners to keep them on the mattress. Shipping was super fast and we all LOVE how soft they are. You need to get these!" Larissa Valladarez

"I recently received my first set of Cosy House 100% Bamboo Bedsheets, and I couldn’t be happier with my order! These bedsheets have truly transformed my sleeping experience." - Crystal Demas

"As someone who hates doing laundry (I mean who actually enjoys it?), I appreciate how durable and easy to care for these luxury sheets are. Not only do they stay fresher for longer compared to cotton sheets, but they’re also odor and wrinkle-resistant." - Lymun Loo

Cosy House 100% Bamboo Bedding

Ready to Upgrade Your Clean Sleep Setup?

Tap below to shop our bestselling bamboo bedding—designed for easier care, longer freshness, and unmatched softness.

Better (and cleaner) sleep is waiting. 

Use code BLOG10 at checkout for 10% OFF your first order!

👉 Shop Cosy Bedding Now

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Marge Hynes

Written by Marge Hynes

Marge is a seasoned content writer with a passion for storytelling and creating engaging articles. She enjoys crafting content that connects with readers and keeps them informed.