How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets if Your Dog Sleeps With You?

If you let your dog(s) sleep in the bed with you, you should wash your sheets more often. But the question is, how often? A good rule of thumb is to change your bedding every three to four days, especially if your dog goes under the covers and doesn’t just stay on top of your duvet.

Otherwise, your sheets will build up animal dander, dog hair (especially if your dog sheds a lot), and other dirt and particles that your dog brings in from outside. If you experience allergies and asthma, try washing your sheets more often to decrease symptoms.

The “pawsome” benefits of letting your dog sleep with you.

Many people stand by the rule that you should never let your dog sleep in your bed — and there are some valid reasons. But if you simply can’t resist snuggling with your furry best friend at night, there are actual benefits from doing so.

Aside from providing comfort and warmth, research shows that your dog’s gentle snoring and breathing pattern can lower your heart rate — yielding a better night’s sleep. Your dog will sleep better, too, because they feel comfortable and safe.

What’s not to love about that?

How often should you wash your sheets?

Dog owners know that their furry family members, especially if they’re big shedders, leave dog hair almost everywhere they go. This includes the bed, which is a magnet for dog hair, and a reason to wash your sheets more.

Even if your sheets look clean, they’re most likely covered with a cocktail of dust mites, dander, sweat, body oils, and dead skin cells — that list should be enough motivation for you to up your laundry game. Clean sheets are also statistically proven to help you sleep better.

One of life’s greatest feelings is slipping into a bed with clean, crisp sheets. A 2012 National Sleep Foundation poll reported that 73% of people have a better night’s sleep when their sheets are clean.

What contributes to this?

We can attribute part of this to the relaxing scent of clean sheets and the comfort we associate with our favorite laundry detergents. Additionally, the refreshing softness of a freshly washed pair of sheets adds to your comfort, and even incentivizes you to get in bed.

What about other types of bedding?

You should wash your duvet cover every week if you co-sleep with your pets. If you don’t you can get away with washing it every two weeks. We get that duvet covers are incredibly challenging to put back on your comforter.

That’s why our duvet covers from QuickZip have an extra long zipper on two sides, plus hidden openings on the sides for easy adjustments, to make it so much easier to put it on. When you’re putting it on, you’ll clip the comforter in to prevent any shifting when you sleep.

Once you invest in a QuickZip set, you’ll never look back.

Best sheets for co-sleeping with your dog.

If your dog sleeps with you, and you follow a strict sheet washing schedule, you’re going to need a durable pair of sheets that can withstand many washes.

Our recommendation?

Percale cotton sheets! Crisp and matte, these sheets not only get softer with every wash, but are woven in a way that makes them less susceptible to wear and increases their durability. You and your dog will be happy you made the switch. 

Two times a week may seem like a lot, especially if you hate washing your sheets. Putting on a fitted sheet not one, but two times a week, is our personal nightmare. That’s why we designed our signature Zip Sheet, our quick and easy alternative to a fitted sheet.

You only have to put on the sheet like a fitted sheet once, and from there it’s as simple as zipping on and off the zip sheet when laundry day comes around. 

No matter what your sleep habits are (i.e. whether or not you co sleep with your dog), we want to make the experience of washing your sheets as easy as possible for you.