How Often Should You Wash Your Child’s Bedding?

A Parent’s Guide to Hygiene and Allergies

As parents, we’re constantly juggling meals, laundry, appointments, and everything in between—so it’s completely normal to wonder: Am I washing the kids’ bedding often enough? The truth is, clean bedding plays a bigger role in your child’s comfort, skin health, and even allergy prevention than most of us realize.

Here’s an easy guide to help you know what to wash, when to wash it, and why it matters.

Why Bedding Hygiene Is So Important for Kids

Kids spend a lot of time in their beds—napping, sleeping, reading, even jumping around—and that means their bedding collects things like:

• Sweat

• Dead skin cells

• Dust mites

• Food crumbs (because bedtime snacks do sneak in!)

• Outdoor allergens

• Germs from school, daycare, or play

Children also tend to sweat more at night and may have more sensitive skin, especially if they’re prone to eczema or allergies. Keeping bedding fresh helps reduce irritation, keeps allergens at bay, and promotes better sleep.

How Often Should You Wash Each Bedding Item?

1. Sheets and Pillowcases: Once a Week

Weekly washing helps remove sweat, oils, dust mites, and allergens. This is especially important for:

• Kids with asthma

• Kids with allergies

• Kids with sensitive or eczema-prone skin

• Sweaty sleepers

If your child is sick, increase it to twice a week.

2. Blankets and Comforters: Every 2–4 Weeks

These don’t touch the skin as directly as sheets do, but they still collect dust and allergens. If the blanket is used as a primary cover every night, aim for the 2-week mark.

3. Mattress Protectors: Every 4–6 Weeks

If you have a waterproof or hypoallergenic mattress protector (highly recommended for kids), wash it monthly—more often if there are spills or nighttime accidents.

4. Pillows: Every 3–6 Months

Pillows can accumulate sweat, dust mites, and dead skin. Most fiber and cotton pillows can be washed at home; foam pillows usually cannot, but their covers should be washed weekly.

5. Stuffed Animals: Every 2–4 Weeks

Kids sleep with their stuffies, drag them around the house, and take them outside—so yes, they need regular washing too!
Tip: Place them in a pillowcase or laundry bag to protect delicate features.

Tips to Reduce Allergens and Improve Sleep

Wash Bedding in Hot Water (When Safe)

Hot water helps kill dust mites and washes away oils more effectively. Always check labels, especially for delicate or organic fabrics.

Use Hypoallergenic, Kid-Friendly Detergent

Choose fragrance-free detergents to reduce irritation, and avoid fabric softeners on sheets—they can leave residue that traps heat and irritates sensitive skin.

Choose Breathable Materials (Like Cotton)

Natural fabrics help reduce moisture buildup and allergen retention, making the bedding easier to keep fresh between washes.

Avoid Drying Bedding Outdoors on High-Pollen Days

Fresh-air drying is great—unless your child has allergies. On high-pollen days, indoor drying or a dryer is the safer option.

Rotate Bedding Sets

Having 2–3 sets makes it easy to keep up with weekly washing without feeling overwhelmed.

Signs You Should Wash Bedding More Often

Increase washing frequency if you notice:

• Your child waking up stuffy or with itchy eyes

• Increased eczema flare-ups

• Strong pillow or blanket odors

• Pet hair on the bed

• Hot, sweaty sleep patterns

Kids’ bodies are sensitive, and their bedding often tells you when it needs attention.

The Bottom Line

Keeping your child’s bedding clean doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple routine—sheets weekly, blankets every few weeks, and pillows every few months—can go a long way in supporting your child’s sleep, skin health, and allergy control.

A clean bed is a comfortable bed, and a comfortable bed helps your child sleep better… which means you sleep better too!