New Year, New Bedding? How Often Should You Change Your Duvet and Pillows?

Whether you’re wondering if it's time to update your duvet, or you’d prefer your pillows to feel more plump, finding the right bedding helps to ensure you have a premium sleep every night of the week. It can be tricky to know how often you should change your bedding, but there's no better time than a fresh New Year to treat yourself to a luxurious new duvet cover, pillows and bed linen. 

The average person spends 33 years of their life snuggled up in bed. It’s therefore no wonder that your bed is thought of as one of the most important pieces of furniture in your home and your bed linen is among some of the most important accessories. 

We’re here to share our knowledge so you can better understand the lifespan of your bedding and how often new bedding should be purchased. 

How Often Should You Buy New Bed Sheets?

DUSK Recommends: Every 2-3 years 

With regular use, bed linen fibres can begin to break down leading to signs of wear. This can differ depending on the quality and material of bed linen you own, but for optimum comfort and to ensure your bed feels like it is in the best condition, we recommend purchasing fresh new bed sheets every two to three years. Your bed linen could include duvet covers, pillowcases, flat sheets and fitted sheets, all of which are an essential part of your dream-worthy bed. 

When To Replace Your Bed Linen

There's nothing more heavenly than snuggling up in brand new bed linen, but when should you treat yourself to new sheets? Here are some tell-tale signs that your duvet cover may need to be replaced:

  • Your bed linen is no longer soft. 
  • Your duvet cover or bed sheets are showing signs of wear and tear.
  • There are visible holes, thinning and fraying.

How Often Should You Replace Pillows?

DUSK Recommends: Every 1-2 years

Although every pillow is different, the general rule of thumb is that you should change your pillows every couple of years to ensure complete comfort and to maintain hygiene. A pillow's lifespan can be extended with the use of a pillow protector. This not only helps to keep your pillow clean, but also creates a heavenly layer of support while you sleep. For our top tips on choosing the perfect pillow, take a look at our blog. 

When To Replace A Pillow?

Here are some of the top signs that you should replace your pillow:

  • You wake up with aches in your neck and shoulders.
  • Your pillow feels uneven and isn’t as comfortable as it once was.
  • If you fold your pillow in half, it doesn’t spring back.
  • You notice your pillow is more frequently in need of a clean.

How Often Should You Buy A New Duvet?

DUSK Recommends: Every 5 years 

Typically your duvet should last longer than your pillows. As your duvet isn’t weighed down through the night, it should stay sumptuously soft and plump for longer. However, after around five years your duvet’s filling may not spread as evenly or may not feel as warm as when you first purchased it. If the filling begins to lose its fluffiness it won’t be able to trap as much air meaning it may not feel quite so cosy and warm.

When To Replace Your Duvet

Do you think it's time for a duvet change? Here are just some of the signs you should look out for if you're considering replacing your duvet:

  • Your duvet feels flat and difficult to plump up.
  • The duvet is beginning to feel lumpy. 
  • There are signs of visible wear and tear.
  • Your duvet doesn’t feel as cosy and comfortable as it once did.

How Often Should You Replace A Mattress?

DUSK Recommends: Every 6-8 years

A typical mattress has a lifespan of approximately eight years, depending on the type and quality of your mattress. To ensure you get the most out of your mattress, select a super comfortable mattress protector and mattress topper to help keep your mattress looking and feeling its best. Rotating your mattress every three to six months will also help to make sure that your mattress wears evenly. 

When To Replace A Bed Mattress?


Is your mattress starting to feel less comfortable than when you first purchased it? Here are some top signs you should think about replacing your mattress:

  • There is visible sagging which makes your once heavenly mattress feel less comfortable.
  • The mattress springs can be felt through the fabric or they have started to sound noisy.
  • You wake up feeling achy after a night’s sleep. 

How To Make Your Bedding Last Longer

When you’re shopping for bedding, choose luxurious pieces that are made to last. This is the best way to get the most out of your bedding and ensure it provides the ultimate layer of comfort for years to come. Alongside choosing quality bed linen, caring for your bedding will make sure that it stays sumptuously soft, clean and comfortable throughout its whole lifespan. 

Choose Quality Bedding 

Quality bed linen is made to last. Although the initial outlay may seem more expensive, you’re more likely to enjoy years of comfort. If you’re looking to purchase quality bedding, consider the following factors: 

  • Thread count - Although thread count isn’t the sole factor in determining quality bedding, a higher thread count typically relates to high-quality bedding.  
  • Material - One of the most popular options when it comes to quality bedding is cotton. Not only is cotton supremely soft and breathable, it is also known to be more durable than other alternatives. 
  • Weave - The weave of your bedding material can affect the durability and overall feel. Cotton sateen and cotton percale are among the most popular bedding weaves.

 

Care For Your Bedding

Improve your bedding's lifespan by caring for and washing your bedding correctly. By following your bedding’s care instructions you can enjoy the best results. Spot cleaning duvets and pillows will help to keep your bedding fresh and hygienic. Farah Arshad, a buyer here at DUSK, advises: “Move the filling down and away from the area you need to spot clean, and then dab it with cool water. Try to avoid using warm or hot water as this can set stains and don’t use bleach. Drying thoroughly is very important even when spot cleaning. Always make sure the area is completely dry. Even when it feels dry to touch the filling can hold moisture which can lead to mould if not dried thoroughly. We would recommend tumble drying on a low heat.”

Unless professionally cleaned, we would not recommend washing your feather pillows as this can damage the fibres and change the overall feel. However, the rest of your bed linen should be washed every two weeks to ensure your bed keeps its dream-worthy feeling. Follow these six top tips to keep your bedding luxuriously soft and clean: 

  • Always follow the care label.
  • Separate your whites and treat any stains straight away.
  • Use the correct heat, size and washing machine settings.
  • Choose the correct detergent and wash cycle.
  • Avoid overloading your washing machine. 
  • When washing your bed linen, hang your duvet and pillows outside to air. 

Discover more information and bedding tips with our DUSK guides.