4 min readIt’s well-known at this point that you should wash your bedding at least once a week (think of it as part of your Sunday refresh), but how often should you replace your sheets? Because even if your sheets are clean, their threadbare, stained, pilled, or faded look could be cheapening the look of your bedroom.
Thankfully, there are things you can keep in mind before even buying a new set that’ll help them last longer. We asked Vicki Fulop, cofounder of bedding company Brooklinen, to share what affects the lifespan of sheets before you even sleep on them, and she gave us her best tips for extending the life of the sheets you love. Spoiler: Despite what you may have heard, a higher thread count doesn't automatically guarantee greatness.
Keep reading to find out our expert-approved guide on how often you should replace your sheets, and what you can do to make them last longer.
Additional copy by Meghan Shouse.
How Often Should You Replace Your Sheets?
Though it might sound excessive, you should replace your sheets every two to five years, depending on how often they’re used and how worn they feel. Unlike with pillows, cleanliness isn’t a factor here since you can easily throw your sheets in the wash at any time (though that will affect how long they last, but more on that later).
Think about how a shirt you wear often starts to look worn out. Visible signs of wear and tear (thinning, yellowing, fading) are the most obvious indicators your sheets are past their prime, but you might start to feel the decline as well, which can disrupt your oh-so-important sleep.
According to bedding brand Parachute, if you sleep on the same set of sheets every single day year-round, you’re likely going to have to buy a new set sooner rather than later. The lifespan generally depends on material too—cotton, like percale and sateen, can last a year or so if they’re used constantly, whereas linen can last two to three years.
How to Make Your Sheets Last Longer
Even switching out your sheet sets every other week will make them last about twice as long, according to Parachute, but there are more things you can do to ensure you won’t be replacing your sheets every other year.
Buy High-Quality Sheets
“Just like you have to consider the 4Cs of a diamond [color, cut, clarity, and carat], you have to consider thread count only after accounting for the quality of the cotton, the ply, and the type of weave,” Fulop explains.
She recommends looking for sheets that are made with long-staple cotton to ensure a soft sheet that's also super durable. “Longer cotton fibers can be spun into stronger, finer yarns, and produce extremely smooth and supple weaves,” she says.
Single-ply threads go hand-in-hand with long-staple cotton, meaning the threads going into your sheets are light but strong. Alternatively, “multi-ply yarns are a group of weaker fibers twisted together to create a false strength,” Fulop says. “They use mostly lower-grade, shorter-staple cottons, which result in thicker, coarser, and heavier threads.” These shorter, coarser threads are also more likely to poke out of the weave sooner, making them more susceptible to thinning.
This new jargon aside, regular old thread count is important with regard to quality. If you've never fully understood what thread count means, it's the number of threads woven together per square inch of fabric. The higher the thread count, the softer, denser, and warmer the fabric. However, you shouldn't be fooled by those 800-plus thread-count sheets. Fulop recommends sticking to the 200–500 range. “It generally maxes out around 500, as you can only fit so much thread in a square inch,” she says.
Once you know you're shopping for sheets that have the first qualities Fulop mentioned, the thread count you choose will really just determine the feel of the sheet. If you’re a hot sleeper, you might opt for a lower thread count for a crisp, cool sheet, like Brooklinen's percale sheets, which have a thread count of 270. Alternatively, their sateen sheets have a thread count of 480 and feel silkier.
Be Mindful While Washing Them
While it is recommended you replace your sheets after a few years, there are several things you can do to extend the life of your sheets. Having at least two sets of sheets to cycle through will understandably extend the life of each set. Frequent washing wears your sheets out, but you can make a few changes to your laundry routine to help preserve your sheets.
Fulop recommends washing sheets on a cool or warm cycle, which helps to maintain the color and elasticity, and then line-drying them if possible. “If that’s not an option, a low tumble cycle in the dryer is better than high heat,” she says. Finally, don't store your sheets in the plastic containers they may have come in, as those can cause yellowing. “Allow them some room to breathe!”
