How often should you wash bedding, duvets and pillows?
We spend about a third of our lives in bed. In a hot, humid city like Lagos, that means sweat, body oils, skin cells and dust build up in bedding faster than most people realise. Clean bedding feels better, smells better and is better for your skin and sleep.
So how often should you actually wash it?
The bedding washing schedule
Here is a simple guide, based on recommendations from the Sleep Foundation:
| Item | How often |
|---|---|
| Sheets | Once a week |
| Pillowcases | Once a week |
| Duvet covers | Every 2 weeks to once a month |
| Duvets and comforters | Every 2 to 3 months |
| Pillows (if washable) | Every 4 to 6 months |
Wash more often if you sweat heavily at night, if you’ve been unwell, or if pets sleep on the bed (every 3 to 4 days is recommended in that case).
Why weekly matters more in Lagos
Heat and humidity make us sweat more at night, even with a fan or AC. That moisture, plus body oils and skin flakes, soaks into sheets and pillowcases and feeds dust mites and bacteria. A weekly wash keeps that build-up in check. A fan running all night also moves dust around, which settles on your bedding.
How to wash sheets and pillowcases
- Check the label and use the hottest water it allows. Cotton can generally handle hot water; polyester and some other materials are better on warm.
- Don’t overload the machine. Sheets need room to move, or they come out tangled with dry pockets of dirt.
- Wash pillowcases inside out to get at the side that touches your face.
- Dry completely before putting them back on the bed or into the cupboard. Damp linen in a humid room can turn musty fast.
- Iron or fold while warm for a crisp finish.
Have two sets per bed
Two sets means one is always clean and ready, so laundry day never leaves you without sheets.
How to clean duvets, comforters and pillows
These are where most people get stuck, because they’re big, heavy and slow to dry.
- Check the label. Many duvets are machine washable; some, especially with feather or down filling, need a gentle cycle or professional cleaning.
- Machine size matters. A duvet needs space to move. Squeezing a king-size duvet into a small home machine leaves it poorly rinsed and can strain the machine.
- Rinse thoroughly. Detergent left in the filling attracts dirt and can irritate skin.
- Dry completely. This is the most important step. A duvet that’s damp in the middle can develop mildew and smell. Shake it out often while drying to break up clumps of filling.
- Air it out between washes. On a sunny day, hang the duvet outside for a few hours.
Between washes
- Use a duvet cover and pillow protectors, which are easier to wash than the duvet itself.
- Shake out and air bedding regularly.
- Shower before bed, especially in hot weather, to keep sweat and oils off your sheets.
Signs your bedding needs a wash sooner
Don’t wait for the calendar if you notice:
- A stale or sour smell when you get into bed.
- Yellowing on pillowcases, especially where your face and hair rest.
- Visible marks from make-up, hair products or food.
- Itchy skin or more sneezing than usual at night.
- Sand, dust or grit you can feel on the sheets.
Choosing bedding that’s easy to keep clean
If you’re buying new bedding, a few choices make washing easier for years:
- Cotton sheets breathe well in hot weather and can usually take a hot wash.
- White or light colours can be brightened with sunlight and hotter washes.
- Removable, washable pillow protectors and mattress protectors take the sweat before it reaches the pillow and mattress.
- Synthetic-fill duvets are often easier to wash and dry than feather or down.
- A lighter duvet or a cover with a thin insert suits Lagos nights better than a heavy one, and is far easier to clean.
Don’t forget the mattress
Sheets protect the mattress, but some sweat and dust still gets through. Every few months, strip the bed, vacuum the mattress surface if you can, and let it air with the windows open. A washable mattress protector is the easiest way to keep it fresh, since you can launder it along with your duvet cover.
Children’s and guest bedding
Children’s bedding usually needs washing more often, because of spills, sweat and the occasional accident. Keep a spare set and waterproof mattress protectors to hand.
Guest bedding should be washed after every visitor, even if the bed looks barely used, and stored completely dry so it’s fresh for next time.
The big items: duvets, blankets, curtains and rugs
Large items are where a laundry service saves the most effort. At WashAmClean we clean duvets, bedding, blankets, curtains and rugs, with larger machines than most homes have. Prices as of 15 October 2026 include:
| Item | Price | Express |
|---|---|---|
| Duvet, wash and dry | ₦7,500 | ₦11,250 |
| Big duvet, dry clean | ₦9,000 | ₦13,500 |
| Small duvet, dry clean | ₦7,500 | ₦11,250 |
| Bedsheet, dry clean | ₦2,000 | ₦3,000 |
| Blanket (large), dry clean | ₦6,000 | ₦9,000 |
| Rug cleaning | ₦600 per sq ft |
See the full price list and our rug cleaning page, which includes a size calculator.
Fresh bedding without the hassle
If washing a king-size duvet in your bathroom isn’t how you want to spend your Saturday, book a pickup. We collect from Lekki, Ajah, Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Oniru, and you can track your order online while it’s with us.
