With water bills and household costs to think about, making your laundry routine a little more efficient can be an easy place to start. Bedding is bulky, so washing sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases can quickly add to the number of loads you put through the machine.
The good news is that saving water doesn’t mean putting up with less-than-fresh bedding. A few simple changes to how often you wash it, how you load your machine and which programme you choose can help reduce unnecessary water use while still keeping your bed clean and comfortable.
Quick Answer
For most households, the simplest ways to use less water when washing bedding are to avoid unnecessary washes, wait until you have a sensible load, use your machine’s eco programme where suitable and follow the care label rather than automatically choosing the hottest setting.
How Often Should You Wash Your Bedding?
There isn’t one schedule that works for every household. How often your sheets need washing depends on things like whether you shower before bed, whether pets sleep with you, how much you sweat and whether anyone in the household has allergies.
Judith’s Advice
“I always tell people not to overthink it. Once every one to two weeks is plenty for most households, especially if you shower before bed and regularly wash pillowcases and duvet covers. Keeping your bedroom ventilated helps keep sheets fresher longer.”
Washing unnecessarily often means using more water and energy, as well as putting your bedding through more wear. Waterwise notes that a single washing-machine load can use around 60 litres of water, so cutting out washes that aren’t actually needed can make a difference over the course of a year.
There are exceptions. If you have a diagnosed house dust mite allergy, NHS guidance recommends washing bedding regularly at 60°C to help kill dust mites. In that situation, follow the advice given by your healthcare professional rather than stretching out washes simply to save water.
Wait for a Sensible Load
Running your washing machine for a couple of pillowcases or one sheet is unlikely to make the best use of the water involved. Where the care labels allow it, wait until you have enough bedding or similar laundry to make a worthwhile load.
That doesn’t mean packing the drum as tightly as possible. Sheets and duvet covers still need room to move so that water and detergent can circulate properly.
Full Doesn’t Mean Overloaded
Aim for an efficient load rather than an overfilled drum. If bulky bedding is packed in too tightly, it may not wash or rinse properly and you could end up running another cycle, which defeats the point.
Use the Eco Cycle Where It Makes Sense
Many modern washing machines have an eco programme designed to reduce water and energy use. These cycles often take longer, but the longer wash time allows the machine to clean effectively while using resources more efficiently.
Judith’s Advice
“Combining bedding with other laundry on the eco cycle is a smart move. It takes a bit longer, but you’re saving water without sacrificing cleanliness.”
Always check the care label first, particularly for more delicate materials such as silk, wool or specialist bedding.
What Temperature Should You Wash Bed Sheets At?
The best temperature depends on the fabric, the care label and why you’re washing it. For ordinary household washing, there is no need to automatically choose the hottest programme every time.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Everyday bedding | Follow the care label and use an appropriate everyday programme for the fabric. |
| Delicate fabrics | Use the temperature and gentle cycle specified by the manufacturer. |
| House dust mite allergy | NHS guidance recommends washing suitable bedding at 60°C to kill mites. |
| Illness or infection | Follow relevant healthcare guidance and the bedding care instructions, as requirements can vary. |
The care label should always be your starting point. Washing at a higher temperature than the fabric can tolerate may shrink, fade or damage your bedding and shorten its useful life.
Skip Extra Rinses Unless You Need Them
Pre-wash and additional rinse cycles use extra water, so for normally soiled bedding they may not always be necessary. Use them when there is a genuine reason to, rather than as part of every wash by default.
It’s also worth measuring your detergent rather than pouring it in by eye. Using more detergent than needed doesn’t necessarily make sheets cleaner and can make rinsing more difficult.
Check Before Adding Fabric Softener
Some bedding manufacturers advise against fabric softener because it can affect the performance of certain fibres or finishes. Check the care instructions for your sheets, duvet covers, mattress protectors and other bedding before adding it automatically.
Dry and Care for Bedding Properly
Good care between washes can help bedding feel fresher for longer and may reduce the temptation to put it through the machine unnecessarily.
- Air-dry bedding when practical and when the care label allows.
- If using a tumble dryer, follow the manufacturer’s temperature guidance.
- Air your bed in the morning to allow overnight moisture to escape.
- Treat spills and stains promptly so they are less likely to require repeated washing.
- Rotate between bedding sets to spread wear more evenly.
- Make sure bedding is completely dry before storing or putting it back on the bed.
Look After the Bedding You Already Own
Water efficiency isn’t only about the amount of water used in one wash. Caring for bedding properly can also help it last longer, reducing the need to replace sheets and covers prematurely.
Judith’s Advice
“Being water-efficient doesn’t mean compromising on cleanliness. It’s about being smart with your wash cycle, amount of detergent, and temperature to wash bed sheets. Every small change counts for your wallet and for the planet.”
A More Water-Efficient Bedding Routine
- Wash bedding when it needs it rather than automatically adding extra washes.
- Wait until you have a sensible load, without overfilling the machine.
- Choose an eco programme where appropriate.
- Follow the care label when choosing your wash temperature.
- Avoid unnecessary pre-wash and extra-rinse cycles.
- Measure detergent rather than using more than you need.
- Air and care for bedding between washes.
Why Small Changes Matter
One laundry load might not feel like a major amount of water, but small habits repeated throughout the year add up. Washing only when needed, filling the machine sensibly and using an efficient programme are all simple changes that don’t require you to sacrifice clean bedding.
Waterwise estimates that one washing-machine load can use around 60 litres of water, so making each cycle count is a straightforward way to reduce unnecessary household water use.
Looking to Refresh Your Bedding?
If your current bedding has reached the end of its life, explore our range of sheets, duvet covers, pillows, protectors and other bedroom essentials.
About This Article
Written by
Judith Ackers
Judith brings her background in psychology, neuroscience and education to her role at Land of Beds, where she shares expert advice to help customers sleep better. From product buying guides to bedtime routines and sleep-friendly habits, Judith’s insights support Land of Beds’ mission to improve sleep for everyone.
Last updated by
Alice Littler
Alice brings a background in marketing, design and branding to Land of Beds, where she focuses on making sleep advice simple, relatable and practical for everyday life. She works closely with leading UK bed and mattress manufacturers, building her knowledge of mattress technology, bedroom comfort and sleep wellbeing.
Article reviewed and updated October 2026.