Why Your Cotton Sheets Smell (And How to Fix It)

Are you tired of your cotton sheets smelling musty even after washing? Such a smell is caused by microbes, causing health concerns. Here’s how to fix it!

According to ResearchGate, Dampness and "musty" mold odors increase the risk of insomnia by 18% and daytime sleepiness by up to 36%, with a 67% higher difficulty in falling asleep due to microbial activity.

In this blog, we’ll explain why your cotton sheets become musty even after adequate care, how to fix it, and how to keep your sheets and bedroom fresh and microbe-resistant.

Key Takeaways

• Smell comes from fungi and bacteria feeding on body residue in the sheets.

• Musty sheets can cause skin irritation, sinus issues, and serious respiratory problems.

• Deep clean with a white vinegar pre-soak, followed by baking soda in the wash.

• Wash at 60°C to destroy germs without harming cotton.

• Wash weekly, dry thoroughly, and use sunlight for disinfection.

The Science of Why Cotton Sheets Smell

Cotton sheets can smell due to various reasons; however, the most common issue lies in the improper care and maintenance of your bedding.

1. Body Fluids
   

Your body secretes oils and sweat through the night. These fluids stay on the sheets and break down into organic compounds, causing various smells.

2. Dead Skin Cells
   

Your skin sheds dead cells, especially at night, to repair the skin barrier. Although the dead skin cells do not smell on their own, they become the primary food source for odor-causing bacteria and dust mites.

3. Fungal and Bacterial Growth
   

Humidity in the air causes your cotton sheet to trap moisture, making it noticeable. Such a warm and moist environment becomes a favorable medium for various kinds of fungi and bacteria, causing odor. 

4. Unventilated Rooms

If your room doesn’t have proper air circulation and sunlight, the bacterial and fungal growth is most likely to get stronger. Unventilated rooms not only affect your sheets but turn your entire room into a microbial growth-favoring medium. 

5. Improper or Infrequent Washing
   

Bodily fluids and dead skin cell shedding are inevitable; however, they only become a problem if your cotton sheets are not washed properly and frequently as recommended.

If you’re wondering, “How often should I wash my sheets?” You should wash your bed sheets every 3 to 4 days or at least once a week according to proper care instructions.

6. Storage Issues

Storing your sheets while they are slightly damp or right out of the dryer allows the musty smell to linger for a long time. Storing them in a warm, unventilated room worsens the smell even more.

Read More: 1 in 3 Americans is Sleep Deprived Due to Poor Home Bedding

Common Causes Of Musty Smell Buildup on Your Sheets

Health Risk Caused By Musty Cotton Sheets

Musty cotton sheets are not only an aesthetic or odor issue, but they also result in minor as well as major health concerns, such as:

Minor Health Risks Caused By Musty Cotton Sheets 

Here are the minor health concerns people and researchers reported due to unhygienic and musty cotton sheets.

• Sinus and Nasal Issues

Sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, and sinus congestion are common issues caused by bacteria residing in musty sheets.

• Eye and Throat Infections

Itchy, red, swollen, or watery eyes and a scratchy or sore throat can be the result of unclean sheets.

• Skin Reactions

Skin irritation, rashes, acne, or the worsening of eczema.

• Respiratory Weakness Symptoms

Coughing and shortness of breath are reported, especially for those with pre-existing conditions like asthma.

• Headaches and Fatigue

These general symptoms have also been linked to exposure to mold odors and damp bedding.

Learn more: Feeling Exhausted After Sleep? Your Home Bedding is the Issue

Major Health Risks Caused By Musty Cotton Sheets

Prolonged exposure to the microbial growth in musty sheets can cause serious health risk such as: 

• Respiratory Illness

Even non-allergic individuals can suffer serious airway irritation due to mold exposure. For people already suffering from allergies or asthma, mold exposure can cause severe attacks.

Moreover, musty sheets and mold exposure are one of the major causes for developing asthma in early childhood.

• Serious Infections

Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV, undergoing chemotherapy, or organ transplant recipients, face an elevated risk of severe fungal infections, especially in the lungs or sinuses. This is less frequently observed in otherwise healthy people.

How To Wash Musty Cotton Sheets Step by Step

To wash off that musty smell from your cotton sheets, you’ll need two extra steps with vinegar and baking soda.

Supplies Needed To Wash Sheets Properly

• Mild detergent

• Hot water (According to the care label)

• 1 Cup Vinegar

• Half a cup of baking soda

Step-by-Step Guide To Wash Smelly Cotton Sheets

Here’s a step-by-step guide to get rid of that musty smell from your sheets.

Step#1: Read the Care Label

Carefully read the care label for recommended water temperature and cycle type. Cotton sheets usually handle hot water temperatures. 

Step#2: Pre-Soak In Diluted Vinegar

Add one cup of white vinegar into half a bucket of hot water (check the ace label for hope hot the water can be). Soak the sheets for 30 to 60 minutes or overnight for better results.

Step#3: Use Baking Soda in the Wash Cycle

Choose a normal cycle with mild detergent and add half a cup of baking soda. 

Step#4: Replace Fabric Softener with Vinegar Rinse

Skip the fabric softener and add half or one-fourth cup of white vinegar in the fabric softener compartment, or add manually. 

Step#5: Smell Test

Smell the sheets before tossing them into the dryer. If the sheets are still smelly and musty, repeat the process all over again before drying.

Step#6: Dry In Dryer & Sunlight

Toss the sheets into the dryer at medium heat setting to kill bacteria. After taking out the sheets from the dryer, hang them directly in the sunlight to effectively kill fungal spores and bacteria.

Pro Tip:

Look for bleach-resistant or bleach-friendly cotton sheets. Bleach-resistant cotton sheets allow you to use bleach for effective disinfection of cotton sheets without damaging the yarn.  

If you're buying colored bed sheets, make sure they are VAT-dyed so that direct sunlight does not fade them over time.

Tips and Tricks to Keep Sheets Fresh

• Wash sheets every 3-4 days to prevent oil and skin buildup.

• Ensure sheets are completely dry before storing or making the bed to avoid musty odors.

• Use white vinegar in the rinse cycle instead of fabric softener to break down odor-trapping residue.

• Add baking soda to the wash to neutralize odors.

• Air-dry sheets in sunlight whenever possible, as UV rays are a natural disinfectant.

• Store dry sheets in a cool, ventilated space.

• Avoid overloading the washing machine for a proper clean and rinse.

Read More: How To Keep Cotton Bath Mats Bacteria-Free

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I stop my sheets from smelling?

To naturally deodorize and soften your sheets, add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. For a subtle, fresh scent, put a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oil on a washcloth and toss it in the dryer with the sheets.

2. What temperature kills bacteria on sheets?

60°C is the best temperature to kill bacteria in a long cycle (around 2 hours) to kill bacteria without damaging the fiber of good cotton sheets.

3. Why do my bedsheets still smell after washing?

Bodily fluids, such as oils, sweat, and dead skin cells, get embedded in the fibers of sheets if not washed frequently. Such a strong odor doesn't go away with one wash. Try using the above guide twice to get rid of the odor.

4. How to remove the smell from sheets without washing?

To freshen up sheets without a full wash, you have a few options:

• Baking Soda Method: Sprinkle the sheets with baking soda, let it sit, and then vacuum it away.
  

• Fabric Spray: Lightly mist the sheets with a deodorizing spray, such as a homemade mix (vodka, water, and essential oils) or a commercial product.
  

• Air and Sun: Allow the sheets to air out in fresh air and sunlight, as both are natural deodorizers and help eliminate odor-causing bacteria.
  

5. Should you wash bedding on 40 ot 60 degrees?

60°C is ideal for washing bedding as it’s more effective in killing bacteria and fungal spores.

Where To Buy Cotton Sheets That Stay Fresh?

Buy cotton sheets that stay fresh and vibrant from DZEE Home. DZEE Home is a well-known home textile supplier trusted by a large number of homemakers in the US.

We offer cotton-rich sheets with a 60/40 polycotton blend for a soft feel and exceptional durability. Our premium quality sheets are available in beautiful Swiss stripe, plain white, blue, black, brown, and green shades to blend in every interior.

Whether it's the intricate patterns on our down alternative pillows or the timeless elegance of our Cotton waffle blankets, Mattress pads, Mattress encasement, and Luxury duvet inserts, each textile is a masterpiece of design. Immerse yourself in the artistry woven into every thread, creating an ambiance that harmonizes sophistication with simplicity.

Final Words

The quality of sheets matters when you're trying to keep your bedding fresh. Explore the smart blended sheets from DZEE Home and enter a new era of fresh bedding today!