Regular Cleaning of Pet Bedding Essential for Healthy Homes
Going to Bed with Fido? Here's How to Keep Your Sheets Clean
For many, pets aren't just animals - they're family. And that often means they have the run of the house, including a spot on your bed. Whether you're a fur parent to a shedding cat, a non-shedding dog, or something in between, Fido can make your bedding dirtier faster than you can say "fetch."
But how often should pet owners launder their sheets? Three laundry and cleaning experts share their insights on keeping your bedding fresh.
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Mary Gagliardi, (a.k.a. "Dr. Laundry") Clorox's in-house scientist and cleaning guru, Wendy Saladyga, stain expert and senior manager of technical performance for Henkel, and Kim Romine, fabric care scientist at Procter & Gamble, offer some enlightening advice.
The Importance of Clean Bedding
Fresh and clean bedding isn't just important for a good night's sleep; it's crucial for your health too. Unwashed bedding can host an abundance of allergens, bacteria, and odors. From dead skin cells and sweat to pet dander and hair, dirty bedding can contribute to allergies, infections, and respiratory issues.
Keeping Your Bedding Clean with Pets
So, how often should you be washing your sheets if Fido is part of your slumber crew? Wendy Saladyga, stain expert and senior manager of technical performance for Henkel, points out that 30% of consumers wait three weeks or more to wash their bedding. But that's not ideal for a clean and comfy sleeping environment, especially when you've got pets around.
"Natural body oils, beauty products, and allergens can transfer and build up on sheets. And, being the loving pet owners we are, our fur babies will do the same, potentially causing skin irritation," Saladyga explains.
In general, washing your bedding weekly is recommended to prevent the accumulation of pet hair, dander, and dirt. Kim Romine, fabric care scientist at P&G, highlights that pets can carry outdoor pollutants, so washing your bedding frequently is essential.
Depending on your pet (and their mischief), you may need to wash your bedding even more frequently. For example, a small, non-shedding dog that barely goes outside will not soiled up a bed as quickly as a large, active Labrador that spends the day outdoors.
Mary Gagliardi (a.k.a. "Dr. Laundry") advises finding a wash frequency that suits your situation. "Adding a pet or two increases the soil load on the sheets with pet dander and hair, not to mention stains. For pet owners who sleep with their pets, increasing wash frequency might be a good idea," she says.
Tips for Keeping Your Bed Clean with Pets
Besides washing your bedding regularly, there are some additional tips to keep your bed as clean as possible.
- Protect your mattress: Use a waterproof mattress pad to guard against accidents and protect your mattress.
- Use a barrier sheet: Place an old, bleach-safe sheet over your comforter or duvet as a barrier between the bed covers and your pet. Be sure to wash this sheet at least weekly, using disinfecting bleach.
- Choose the right detergent: Opt for deep-cleaning detergents with odor-fighting properties to effectively tackle stains and odors.
- Prevent pet hair cling: Use dryer sheets designed to reduce pet hair clinging to fabrics, which contain three times more pet hair fighters than regular dryer sheets.
By following these guidelines and tips, you can keep your bedding clean and comfortable, whether your pet spends the night snuggled beside you or not.
- Pet owners should launder their sheets weekly to prevent the buildup of pet hair, dander, and dirt, which can cause allergies, infections, and respiratory issues.
- Wendy Saladyga, a stain expert, suggests washing sheets more frequently if you have pets, as natural body oils, beauty products, and allergens can transfer onto the sheets and potentially cause skin irritation.
- To protect your mattress from pets, it's recommended to use a waterproof mattress pad and an old, bleach-safe sheet as a barrier between the bed covers and your pet.
- To keep your bed clean with pets, use deep-cleaning detergents with odor-fighting properties and dryer sheets designed to reduce pet hair clinging to fabrics.
