We love the summer in North Carolina, and there are so many fun things to do both inside and outside, alone or with family and friends. Who doesn’t love a good night’s sleep? The last thing we want to think about is cleaning and laundry. But in the summer, with all the heat and humidity, we have to be more vigilant with changing our sheets and pillowcases.
Washing and changing the bed linens is something that needs to be done routinely throughout the year, but with more sweating, there are more bacteria. Dust mites and bacteria exist everywhere, but thinking about it in our beds is, well…gross. Here at Carpe Diem Cleaning, we would like you to think of us as the “friend who does their cleaning research, so you don’t have to.”
The standard protocol for washing your sheets and pillowcase is roughly once a week; according to our friends, the microbiologists, there are reasons why laundering bed linens more often in the summer is necessary. For one thing, we’re sweating more, which can lead to bacteria and odor. In addition, since we spend so much time outside, we carry allergens inside our homes, so washing your sheets more frequently will help cut down on those allergens and dust mites, and cutting down on allergens, cuts down on allergy symptoms. So how often should we be washing sheets and pillowcases? In the summer, it is recommended to launder them as frequently as every three or four days. That should be sufficient to keep bacteria, odors, and allergens.
In North Carolina, layering our clothing is essential. It is hot outside and downright cold inside with the air conditioning. Layering our sheets and blankets is also essential for summer sleep hygiene. If you use a top sheet or a thin blanket, those need to be washed the same as sheets and pillowcases. If you have a top sheet between you and the blanket and comforter, the blanket can be washed every four to six weeks, while the comforter can go about two months in between washes.
Our cleaning company has been around for over three decades, and not only are we trained in cleaning your counters, showers, carpets, and kitchens, we are trained in all standard cleaning protocols. As with all things cleaning, always check your individual labels for care instructions. Cotton bed linens can be washed in hot water, while other fibers will do better in cooler washes.
We suggest using a gentle eco-friendly detergent to wash bedding on the warmest setting recommended in the care instructions and then tumble dry on low. Our good friend and local home organizer, Cary Farrel at Clutter Free, suggests having one extra set of sheets to reduce wear and tear from so many washes.
For deep-cleaning, try vacuuming your mattress two to three times per year to limit bacteria and allergens. You can also sprinkle the mattress with a thin layer of baking soda, letting it sit for a few hours before vacuuming to eliminate odors and prolong the life of your mattress.
And lastly, showering before bed is a good idea to reduce body oils, bacteria, odors, and allergens.
