Here's When You Should Be Replacing Your Bedding According To Martha Stewart

While bed linens and related items are things we use every day throughout the year, you may find yourself wondering how often things like sheets, duvet covers, and comforters should be replaced in your home. According to Martha Stewart, bedding is one of the most important elements in a home to keep fresh and in good shape since it often can mean the difference between an amazing night of sleep or an uncomfortable bout of tossing and turning. The short lifespans of some items may surprise you, while others might impress you with their longevity. Pillowcases and pillows need to be replaced more frequently, while sheets and comforters can go many years without needing to be replaced if treated well. 

While many people switch out gently used linens as they show signs of wear, others do not really think about procuring new ones until things are falling apart or they make decor changes that require new bedding. Depending on care, use, and frequency of washing, different types of bedding require different frequencies of replacement. You can keep your bed a welcoming and comfortable oasis by keeping a few timelines for different items in mind.

According to Martha Stewart, the items that most frequently require a change-out are pillows and pillowcases. Pillows can start to bunch up and lose their shape in under a year, making annual replacements ideal. You can also increase the longevity of a pillow by throwing it into the wash occasionally and using pillow covers under the pillowcase, which will prevent things like oils from hair and skin from getting to the pillow itself. Pillowcases, depending on the frequency of washing and how many you have in rotation, should be replaced every 1 to 2 years or whenever they become stained, faded, or discolored from use.

Duvet covers require more frequent replacement than comforters and should be swapped out every 3 to 5 years, particularly since their buttons, zippers, and fasteners can wear over time with use and frequent laundering. Since a duvet cover is usually the top layer of the bed, it is also often more subject to dirt, dust, and fading from sunlight. They are also great to swap out if you just need a design refresh for instant impact. Bed skirts, which are often a forgotten bedding element, should be replaced every 5 years or whenever one begins to show discoloration or wear, which they tend to be more prone to due to location.

Sheets have a slightly longer lifespan with some care and regular washing, with the higher material quality sheets like 100% cotton, linen, percale, and Egyptian cotton faring best over long-term use. Aim to replace these items at least every 5 years. Using a mattress cover can extend the life of bedding and your mattress itself, which Stewart recommends be replaced every 7 to 10 years if possible. The mattress cover should be replaced as soon as it starts to show wear or damage.

Other bed coverings can often be in our homes for many years, depending on how you use them on the bed, i.e., as a middle or top layer. For quilts, Stewart advises buying a new one every 3 to 5 years, depending on how washing impacts the quilting and seams. Comforters have a much longer lifespan of 15 to 20 years if cared for and maintained properly, including regular laundering, fluffing the filling, and avoiding stains. The longevity of many items may also be impacted by how and where items are stored off-season or when not in use. Make sure to keep them in a dry, dust-free, and pest-free space.