Caring for Bedding with Pets: Frequency and Best Practices
For many pet owners, our furry friends are not just companions—they’re family. However, having pets often means more frequent laundry days, particularly for bedding. Understanding the importance of clean sheets and how often to wash them can enhance your comfort and maintain a hygienic sleep environment.
The Importance of Clean Bedding
Regularly washing your bedding is vital for both comfort and hygiene. Over time, unwashed bedding can accumulate a variety of contaminants, such as:
- Bacteria
- Allergens
- Body oil
- Hair and dander
- Dust and dead skin cells
The buildup of these elements can lead to allergic reactions, skin irritations, respiratory issues, and unpleasant odors. Clean bedding contributes significantly to restful sleep, which is crucial for overall health.
Recommended Washing Frequency for Pet Owners
Experts in laundry and cleaning emphasize that washing bedding weekly is a general best practice, especially for pet owners. According to Wendy Saladyga, senior manager of technical performance for Henkel, many people wait three weeks or longer to wash their sheets, which is not ideal. She notes, “When we make contact with our sheets, our natural body oil, beauty products, and allergens can transfer and build up on them. And if you are like me and share your bed with your fur babies, they, too, will transfer their oils and their allergens to your sheets, which could potentially cause skin irritation.”
Kim Romine, a fabric care scientist at Procter & Gamble, reinforces this point, advising that regular washing helps prevent the collection of pet fur, dander, and outdoor dirt. Additionally, the type of pet and its activities can dictate the need for increased washing frequency. For instance, a small dog that stays indoors will not impact bedding as much as a larger dog that plays outside daily.
As noted by Mary Gagliardi, known as “Dr. Laundry” at Clorox, you may need to wash bedding more often if it becomes heavily soiled due to pet activity or personal circumstances. “Adding a pet or two increases the soil load on the sheets with their pet dander and hair, not to mention slobber, pee, and fecal stains,” she advises. “Pet owners who sleep with their pets might want to consider increasing wash frequency, too.”
Maintaining a Clean Bed Between Washes
Aside from consistent washing, there are several strategies you can utilize to keep your bed as clean as possible while sharing it with pets. Consider these tips:
- Use a Waterproof Mattress Pad: This helps protect your mattress from accidents and spills.
- Protective Layer: Place an old, bleach-safe flat sheet over the comforter or duvet as a barrier. Ensure to wash this layer at least weekly.
- Use a Deep-Cleaning Detergent: Opt for products with odor-fighting properties, like Tide Ultra Oxi with Odor Eliminators, to effectively remove stains.
- Odor Eliminator: Consider using Downy Rinse & Refresh to eliminate any lingering odors after washing.
- Prevent Pet Hair: Employ Bounce Pet dryer sheets in your laundry to reduce pet hair cling, as they offer advanced pet hair-fighting capabilities.
Conclusion
By adhering to a weekly washing schedule and implementing proactive cleaning strategies, pet owners can maintain a clean and comfortable bedding environment. Regular cleaning not only promotes better sleep but also contributes to overall health and wellness.
