How to Wash Every Type of Bedding (The Complete Guide)
When did you last wash your pillows? Not your pillowcases. Your actual pillows.
No judgment. Most people have no idea pillows need to be washed at all. Sheets get washed, but comforters? Duvet inserts? Weighted blankets? Those tend to just pile up until something forces the issue.
This is the guide I wish I’d had years ago. Every bedding type, exactly how to wash it, and how often.
The Rules Before We Start
Always check the care label first. If you can’t find a care tag, wash on gentle and dry on low heat just to be on the safe side.
Use a gentle, natural detergent. You’re sleeping on this every night. Harsh detergents can expose you to chemicals, leave residue, can irritate skin, and break down natural fibers faster.
Sheets
How often: Weekly. Saturday is Sheets + Towels Day in the Clean Mama Routine.
How to wash: Warm water, normal cycle. Wash sheets separately from towels — the loops on towels cause pilling on sheets over time. Make sure you don’t overstuff the machine, you wan’t to make sure that the water and detergent have plenty of room to move around and work.
How to dry: Medium heat, remove promptly. Pull slightly damp and finish air drying on the bed for that crisp feel.
Pro tip: White sheets can be brightened with Clean Mama Oxygen Whitener instead of harsh bleach — it works beautifully and is safe for natural fibers.
Duvet Covers
How often: Weekly if you don’t use a top sheet, every 1–2 weeks if you use one.
How to wash: Warm water, gentle cycle. Remove the insert first. Wash the cover with pillow shams. Depending on the size of your washer and dryer, you might have room for the sheets and the duvet cover in one load.
Pro tip: Wash your duvet cover on the same day as your sheets. Keep it easy! Alternatively, have 2 duvets and 2 sets of sheets and rotate out with each wash so you don’t have to wait for the laundry cycle.
How to Insert a Duvet without Losing Your Mind
Comforters and Duvet Inserts
How often: Every 2–3 months — or immediately if there’s a spill or accident.
Quick freshen between washes: Put it in the dryer on low heat with three wool dryer balls for 30–40 minutes. Stop every 10 minutes to redistribute and refluff.
How to wash: Check the care label, but generally speaking, gentle cycle, cold water, gentle detergent. You need a large capacity front-load washer. If it’s a very tight fit, take it to the laundromat. Run an extra rinse cycle after washing to make sure all detergent is fully removed. Then run an extra spin cycle.
How to dry: Low heat with wool dryer balls. Stop every 20–30 minutes to redistribute the fill. The insert needs to be completely dry before going back on the bed.
Pillows
How often: Every 3–6 months.
How to wash: Most synthetic and down pillows can be machine washed — two at a time to keep the machine balanced. Gentle cycle, warm water. Run an extra rinse cycle.
How to dry: Low heat, wool dryer balls, and patience. Pillows take longer to dry than you think.
Memory foam and latex: Do not machine wash. Spot clean only with a damp cloth and mild soap. Air dry completely.
The fold test: Fold your pillow in half. If it springs back, it’s still good. If it stays folded, it’s time for a new one.
Mattress Protectors
How often: Wash it every-other washing or at least once a month, or immediately after any accident.
How to wash: Gentle cycle, cold or warm water. Low to medium heat in the dryer — some waterproof protectors will degrade faster in high heat, which is the one thing that will shorten their life.
See the best mattress protectors here.
Weighted Blankets
How often: Every 2–4 weeks with regular use.
How to wash: Depends entirely on the fill. Check weight limits on your washer first. Cold water, gentle cycle. Never use fabric softener — it can clump the fill.
How to dry: Low heat or air dry flat. High heat can melt plastic pellets.
Quilts and Blankets
How often: Monthly or as needed.
How to wash: Most quilts and cotton blankets do well on a gentle cycle with cold water. Antique or heirloom quilts should be hand washed or taken to a professional.
The Simple Schedule
- Weekly (Saturday): Sheets + duvet covers + pillowcases
- Monthly: Mattress protectors, quilts, blankets
- Every 2–3 months: Duvet inserts, comforters
- Every 3–6 months: Pillows
- As needed: Weighted blankets, spot treatment
This is what the Clean Mama Routine is built around. Simple tools, small consistent tasks, and a system that keeps your whole home manageable without the overwhelm. The Clean Mama Method is a 21-day reset that walks you through the whole routine — and it’s a great place to start if you’ve been wanting more of this kind of clarity in your home.
