Discover how often to change tween bed sheets for a clean and healthy sleep environment. Learn the best bedding routines, laundry tips, and how to keep your tween’s sheets, comforters, pillows, and plush toys fresh.
How Often Should You Change Tween Bed Sheets? A Guide for Clean and Healthy Sleep
Keeping your tween’s bed clean, fresh, and sanitary is essential, especially with their busy, active lifestyles. So, how often should you change tween bed sheets? In our home, I change Della and Emma’s sheets at least once a week to ensure a hygienic sleep environment. With a simple system in place, the process becomes stress-free—whether you’re working with one set of sheets per bed or prefer having backup sets for convenience. Here’s my approach to washing sheets, comforters, pillows, and even the never-ending collection of Squishmallows—plus tips on how to set rules that keep bedding cleaner for longer.
How Often to Wash Tween Bed Sheets?
The best rule of thumb is to wash tween bed sheets once a week. This routine removes sweat, dead skin cells, and any dirt they bring in from their daily activities. I change Della and Emma’s sheets weekly to maintain a fresh and sanitary sleeping space. If life gets busy and I can’t wash immediately, I always have a backup set of sheets ready to go.
When they were younger, you’d think they were messier yet I managed with one set per bed, washing and replacing them the same day. It worked fine, but now I prefer the ease of swapping in a fresh set immediately for convenience.
Why Weekly Sheet Changes Matter
Tweens are active! Whether it’s sports, dance, or outdoor play, their bedding collects sweat and bacteria. While mine shower before bed, which helps maintain cleaner sheets, I still stick to a weekly schedule for washing bed sheets.
One of my biggest pet peeves is guests or outside clothes on the bed! I don’t allow it! This simple rule helps keep their sheets cleaner for longer. Keeping outside dirt and germs off the bed can extend the lifespan of your sheets, ensuring they stay fresh for the entire week. It’s an easy rule to set, and it saves you time on frequent sheet changes.
How Many Sheet Sets Do You Need?
You don’t need an overflowing linen closet. Two sets per bed is the perfect balance for convenience and minimalism. One set in use and one set as a backup in case of spills, sickness, or if I can’t do laundry right away.
[Read more on How to Select the Best Sheet Sets for Tween Girl Bedrooms: Comfort, Style, and Functionality].
For younger kids prone to accidents, having an extra set makes nighttime changes easier. If you like to rotate colors or patterns, having more than two sets is fine, but not necessary.
A simple way to keep things organized is to fold the clean set and store it in a designated drawer or bin within the room. This method helps you avoid the chaos of searching for a clean set when it’s time to make the bed. I even get my tweens involved by having them take out their one set of available sheets from the drawer, and help me make their bed with the clean sheets. They are not able to take responsibility for washing the sheets yet and that’s okay. I prefer to handle this. The point is that at this stage, I do want them to take notice of the frequency at which I change their sheets to try to build some good habits. While they don’t really have options in terms of selecting from an assortment of different colored sheets, it’s a great way to make them feel more responsible for their personal space.
How Often to Wash Comforters and Blankets?
Comforters and blankets don’t need to be washed as frequently as sheets if kids don’t sleep directly on them. I wash comforters every two weeks, which is generally enough. If your tween sits or lays directly on their bed often (like reading or lounging), you may want to wash them weekly instead. Spot-cleaning in between washes can also help maintain them, especially for lighter-colored comforters.
Comforters can easily accumulate body oils and dirt, which is why washing them every couple of weeks ensures they stay fresh. Another tip is to give them a good shake every morning to air them out and prevent dust build-up. If your tween has allergies, you might want to wash comforters more often to keep allergens at bay.
How Often to Wash Pillows and Pillowcases?
Pillowcases can trap oils, sweat, and bacteria, so they should be changed more frequently than sheets. I wash pillowcases weekly but keep a few extras on hand and often try to swap them out midweek for extra freshness. Teaching tweens to develop this habit early is great for preventing breakouts and maintaining overall hygiene.
It’s always a good idea to remind your tween that pillowcases are a key part of their skincare routine (read about my pre-teen’s skin-care routine here), as face-to-pillow contact is a common cause of acne. A fresh pillowcase goes a long way toward maintaining clearer skin.
How Often to Wash Squishmallows and Decorative Pillows?
If your home is anything like mine, Squishmallows and plush pillows seem to multiply overnight! But just like throw pillows in a living room, they don’t need to be washed constantly. I wash them once a month to keep them fresh. My girls know not to throw them on the floor; instead, they have a bench and basket to store them at night.
If your tween snuggles with these plush toys daily, wash them weekly to ensure cleanliness. For a quick refresh, you can spot clean Squishmallows with a damp cloth to remove surface dirt before washing them entirely. This method is a great option for maintaining cleanliness without a full wash, especially during busy weeks.
My Laundry Routine for Maximum Cleanliness
Since clean bedding is a priority, I wash everything using a hot water cycle and fragrance-free detergent to avoid skin irritation. Using hot water ensures that all impurities, dust mites, and allergens are removed. Hot drying also helps eliminate bacteria and keeps bedding sanitary.
Using a fragrance-free detergent is essential to prevent any skin reactions. I always check the care labels of bedding to ensure I’m using the appropriate settings to keep fabrics soft and intact. Proper dryer maintenance is key!
I recommend setting up a laundry schedule where all bedding gets washed on the same day. This makes it easier to stay on top of things and saves time. Plus, for those of you who only have one set, once the laundry is done, you can make the beds right away, keeping the whole process efficient.
Teaching Tweens Good Bedding Habits
A clean bed isn’t just about fresh sheets; it’s also about teaching tweens lifelong habits for personal hygiene and self-care. Set rules about keeping beds clean: no sitting on them with outside clothes, no food in bed, and no guests lying on their bedding. Teaching these habits early makes maintaining clean sheets easier. This is hard but I maintain my position on teaching this to the girls.
Encourage your tween to swap pillowcases midweek to keep their skin fresh. Also, get them involved in the laundry process! As I mentioned above, I don’t actually let them do the laundry just yet, but understanding how to wash their own bedding is a useful life skill that will serve them well later on. You can start by having them help with sorting laundry by color and fabric type, making the chore more engaging.
Final Thoughts: A Simple System for Fresh Bedding
Keeping up with weekly sheet changes and biweekly comforter washes doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With just two sheet sets per bed, a simple laundry schedule, and a few house rules, your tweens can enjoy a clean, cozy, and hygienic sleep space.
Consistency is key when it comes to bedding hygiene. By establishing a routine and involving your tweens in the process, you’ll ensure that their bed remains a comfortable, healthy space for sleep.
How often do you wash your tween’s bedding? Let me know in the comments!