In the sweltering, sweaty summer heat, keeping your bedding fresh and clean can be more difficult than ever. But, as no one wants to do laundry day in and day out, how can you keep them smelling good, even without washing?
Luckily, there are plenty of tips and tricks that our laundry pros rely on, that you can use in your own home.
Here, they share their tips to reduce how frequently you need to wash your bedding, from airing out sheets daily, to using a steamer.
7 trick to keep your sheets fresh between washes
1. Air them out daily
Should I air my bedding every morning? Well, according to our experts, the answer is yes: by far the easiest way to freshen your sheets is by airing out your bedding daily.
'Honestly, in the summer, your sheets can turn into a swamp if you’re not careful,' says Scott Fore, owner of LaundrOclean, a top-rated laundromat in Largo, Florida. 'The simplest way you can keep yours fresh between washes is by airing them out every morning.
'Instead of remaking the bed, pull the covers and open the sheets to allow them some air to let the moisture dry up instead of accumulating.
'Air spreading can get rid of sweat and body moisture, which gets trapped in the sheets and ends up being sealed into them, but what you get rid of is that moisture, which later causes the musty smell.'
For this, Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare, recommends a minimum 'breathing' time of at least thirty minutes.
'This allows any heat and moisture that has become trapped to evaporate rather than being sealed in,' he explains. 'This is an easy way to stave off that musty, slept-in smell, especially when you're dealing with humidity.'
2. Use a linen spray
Another great tip for keeping your sheets smelling fresh between washes, says Rechelle Balanzat, founder and CEO of Juliette, is using a linen spray, which is also a quick way to make a home smell nice.
'It neutralizes stale smells and keeps your bed feeling freshly made,' she explains.
You can either purchase a pre-made product – Scott Schrader recommends the The Laundress Classic Fabric Spray available at Amazon – or make your own DIY linen spray.
'You can also purchase a fabric spray with antibacterial properties for bonus points,' adds Scott.
3. Rotate your bedding
While this is a bit of a cheat way to 'freshen' bedding, having multiple sets of bedding on hand will allow you to switch them out without having to wash your bedsheets there and then.
As laundry expert Scott Fore says, 'Rotating between two or three sets of breathable cotton or linen sheets is a game-changer.
'Not only do they feel cooler on hot nights, but giving each set a break helps them last longer and stay fresher. In hot weather, it’s all about airflow and timing, don’t let moisture or body oils settle in, and your sheets will stay fresh a lot longer than you think.'
And, when it comes to picking the best cooling sheets, the sheets themselves matter, continues Scott.
'If you want to stay fresh in warm weather, you’ll need to skip synthetics,' he advises. 'I stick with 100% cotton or linen, ideally high thread count.'
Our top pick is the Peruvian-made CleanBamboo® Signature Sateen Fitted Sheet, available at Ettitude. You can also pick up the ettitude 100% Lyocell from Organic Bamboo Basic Sheet Set available at Amazon.
4. Use a steamer
To Frej Lewenhaupt, co-founder and chief product officer of Steamery, 'the best way to keep your sheets fresh between washes is using a steamer.'
He explains, 'Steaming not only minimizes pesky wrinkles but actually cleans your sheets by removing surface dirt, bacteria, and odors. Finishing it off with a quick spritz of fabric spray will provide a lasting freshness.'
Frej recommends the Steamery Handheld Clothes Steamer available at Amazon, and if you're after a more affordable option, the BISSELL® Steam Shot™ OmniReach handheld portable steam cleaner, also available at Amazon, is a number one bestseller.
There are plenty of other things you can clean with a steamer, too, like steam cleaning a mattress or steam cleaning carpet.
5. Use mattress and pillow protectors
As Parima Ijaz, founder and CEO at Pure Parima, explains, 'The best mattress protectors prevent sweat and spills from reaching the mattress and pillow, keeping your sheets cleaner longer due to that extra barrier.
'We recommend our antimicrobial and water-resistant protectors to keep your mattress and pillow as clean as possible, even during nightly use. This will prevent your mattress and pillow from accumulating as much moisture as they would without the use of protectors.'
We recommend the SafeRest Waterproof Mattress Protector available at Amazon, which is machine washable and available in seven different sizes.
'Be sure to toss your sheets in the wash at least once a week,' continues Parima, if you're not sure how often you should wash your sheets, 'and your protectors every once in a while for a clean, fresh bed.'
6. Use baking soda
You may have heard of cleaning with baking soda, but, as Scott Fore recommends, you can also use it to keep your sheets smelling fresh between washes.
'Take a pinch of baking soda every week and simply dust it on the sheets, and then vacuum it,' he explains, with your best handheld vacuum. 'It is a classic method that gets the job done.'
Scott recommends leaving the sprinkle of baking soda, such as the ARM & HAMMER Pure Baking Soda available at Walmart, on for 20 minutes.
7. Open your windows
Finally, says Rhonda Wilson, quality lead cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning, keep your windows open when possible.
'Fresh air helps clear out any stale or sweaty bed smells,' she explains. 'You don’t need to fling windows wide open in the middle of a heatwave, just a bit of cross-breeze early in the morning or late at night.'
What to shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This versatile spray fights fabric odors rather than simply masking them, with safe ingredients free of phthalates, formaldehyde, and flammable propellants.
This silky-smooth sheet set is made from 100% rayon from sustainably sourced bamboo, and is OEKO-TEX certified free from harmful chemicals and substances.
This zippered mattress protector is available in twin, full, and queen sizes, offering superior spill and stain protection with an antimicrobial treatment to keep the protector fresher for longer.
FAQs
Why do my bedsheets smell so quickly?
If you're finding your bedsheets get musty quickly, the main culprits are moisture, a lack of circulation, and warmth. All of these things are common in summer, which is why it's harder to keep your bedding smelling fresh in the sunnier seasons.
Meet our experts
There are also a number of ways to freshen a comforter without washing it, like shaking and fluffing, tumble drying them, and airing them outdoors.
