3 Signs Your Linen Bed Sheets Need to Be Replaced

Once you’ve invested in the perfect bedding set, you want to make sure it stands the test of time. Luckily, this is easily achieved with linen. Here at Bed Threads, our sheets are made from 100% French flax, so aside from making your bedroom look Pinterest-worthy, it takes the effort out of keeping your sheets looking (and feeling) luxuriously beautiful for years to come.

Known for its durability, linen is extremely soft, so much so, it becomes smoother with time and use. It means there's no need to worry about using your sheets too often because much like a fine wine, linen sheets get better with time.

In saying all this, all good things must come to an end and at some point in time you'll eventually have to replace your beloved, cosy sheets. On the plus side, it means you get the opportunity to treat yourself to well-deserved linens in a variety of tranquil colours (you can use our Build Your Own Bundle function to fully customise your set).

So, how can you tell if it's time to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new?

A poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that most people replace their bed linen after a couple of years. But a surprising amount of people hold on to linen for decades (and decades).

Several experts agree that when it comes to general bedding, you should replace your pillows every one to two years, your mattress every ten years and your sheets, duvet cases and pillowcases every five years. Again, this all depends on factors like how regularly you wash your bedding or how much you sweat. (FYI, you should be washing your sheets at least once a week to avoid the build up of nasty fungi, bacteria, skin cells and bodily secretions).

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3 Signs Your Linen Sheets Need Replacing

Here are three questions to ask yourself if you think your sheets need replacing:

Are they looking worn?

If you’re a regular washer of your bedsheets (which we all should be), then you’re putting the fibres in your linen under a lot of stress. This means that after a few years they’ll become a little worn. 

General wear and tear is simply unavoidable. For example, seams might start splitting and the fabric may start thinning, fading and yellowing (especially if you're a regular at tanning). 

If you're finding holes and stains on your sheets, seize the opportunity to invest in new sheets that have your back for the next few years. 

Are they still helping you sleep well?

There are a plethora of benefits that come with sleeping in pure linen sheets. For example, they're aesthetically luxurious, they're breathable (meaning they'll keep you cool in summer and warm in winter), they're highly absorbent so they always feel fresh to the touch and they repel dirt. However, if you feel as though your sheets are beginning to stop serving all these benefits, they might be coming to the end of their life. 

Are they still buttery-soft? 

As you probably already know, our linens will become softer and more absorbent (no fabric softener necessary) with every wash. In fact, in many parts of Europe, it's tradition for families to inherit linen sheets from their parents. Vintage linen is soft, luxurious and possesses a fabric handle that's impossible to achieve through any mechanical process.

However, if your sheets are no longer buttery soft because of general wear and tear, then this is a sign they might need replacing.

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How to Make Your Bedding Last Longer

OK, so now you know how to spot the signs that your linen might need replacing. But here at Bed Threads, our sheets are designed to be with you for the long haul. To help keep your sheets in tip-top shape, here are the common linen care mistakes you need to avoid: 

• Storing your Threads in plastic
• Exposing them to too much sun
• Washing them with roadblocks
• Using fabric softeners
• Letting stains sit
• Storing them before they're completely dry
• Dry cleaning your sheets
• Using an iron 
• Not regularly washing your sheets

For a full rundown of why each one has the potential to damage your precious linens — and how to solve each problem — head here.

Want more linen tips? Here's how to choose the perfect linen colours for your bedroom.