Bed sheets, like many other laundry items, need to be washed regularly and can quickly become dirty. During sleep, our bodies release natural oils and sweat that can stain bed sheets.

Jade Crooks, head of product at Dusk, advised on the frequency of washing sheets, stating that generally, they should be washed twice a month. 

However, if you’ve been ill or are experiencing heightened allergy symptoms, you might need to clean them more frequently.

Regarding the washing process, Jade instructed: “When it comes to washing your bedding, set the temperature of your washing machine to between 30 to 40 degrees.”

She explained the reasoning behind this, saying: “This is the best temperature to properly remove dirt, and body oils and to kill bacteria, while still protecting the fibres of your bedding.”

Not only does this temperature range ensure cleanliness, but it also helps preserve the quality of your bedding over time.

The cleaning professionals at Fantastic Services concur with this advice, recommending the same temperature range for washing bedding. 

They stated: "Generally speaking, the best temperature to wash bedding is between 30 to 40 degrees."

Yet, if families extend the time between washing their bed sheets beyond a fortnight, they might need to increase the wash temperature.

Laundry specialists at Melt have suggested that washing at 60 degrees becomes necessary when households aren’t laundering bed sheets frequently.

They argue that bacteria may linger on fabrics when washed at lower temperatures for extended intervals, resulting in a quicker return of unpleasant odours.

Similarly, linen experts at Belledorm claim that 40 degrees is usually the “optimum temperature” for cleaning bed sheets.

Nonetheless, they, too, recommend a hotter cycle for those who’ve delayed their washing schedule. 

The pros said: “If you’ve left your sheets a little longer than you should have, consider a higher wash.”