Bed changing & washing… how?!

[Myeyeballsareonfire]

We are a family of 6 (4 children). 2 eldest DC have single beds, 3rd has a double, 4th is co sleeping. We (the adults) have a king size.

There are plenty of changes of bed clothes for the single beds, but we only really have one set of bed clothes for the double/kings.

I cannot figure out how people are managing to change beds weekly! Please tell me how?!

As it stands we do at least 1 full load of washing daily. With very changeable weather conditions here, the tumble dryer is also used frequently.

Bedsheets for each of the bigger beds are a full load each.

The ‘eco’ wash on our machine takes over 5 hours (absolutely insane, but there we are!), and then there’s drying time to factor in.

How the heck are people finding the time to change weekly?!

is it shorter cycles? More bedclothes? Lies?

@Myeyeballsareonfire

electric clothes rack as they hardly use any power

I wonder if there is a peak level of bacteria where after a certain amount of time it doesn't get any worse?

Two sets of bedding for each bed.
change your bed say on a Wednesday and then change the kids beds on say a Saturday.
also, have a flat sheet between you and the duvet cover and then you only need to wash the duvet cover every 4 weeks or so.
is the eco wash really cheaper than the normal daily wash? I have a Bosch and the eco wash is forever long. I use the daily wash on 60 deg and it takes about 1hr 20mins

You have more than one set of bedding.

Once weekly, live alone, 4 sets, you need extra in case of accidents

Two sets per bed, everyone only has one pillow, changed fortnightly, large capacity washing machine.

Can you cut down on how often you wash heavy clothing like jumpers and jeans?

I have two sets so one off one in the wash
the 45 min cycle @ 40 is more than enough to wash my bedding
no way would I do a eco wash that takes up the best part of the day
I put all of spare set in the pillowcase so I never get them mixed up with other bedding

2 sets of bedding for each bed and a washing machine that washes 10lb. Also I always wash bedding on 60 degrees and it takes 3 hours and 5 minutes. I never use that very long eco friendly wash. I do use 40 degrees for coloured wash but never lower than 40 degrees.

Two sets of bedding for each bed, quickest cotton wash at 60, unless it’s been really hot, or anyone has been ill.

I’ve never used the eco wash, they’re far too long.

I change bedding fortnightly. Kids beds one week, ours the next. Much easier than trying to to do it all in one go. You may be able to dry it and get in back on the bed same day, but you really need two sets of bedding per bed. A lot easier!

@Myeyeballsareonfire, we are also a family of 6 and I think 10+ loads a week is par for the course. Our bedlinen (4 x singles, 1 x superking) gets done in 3 loads and tumble dried. Towels weekly, 2/3 loads and tumble dried. I’ve cut back on drier use recently by doing socks, underwear and jeans etc weekly rather than several loads a week. Will throw on an extra wash during week for non drier items. Using the short 15 min cycle more often for very lightly worn tops and things.

I have an eco cycle that is 1h36 follow with an extra spin so much faster. Longer eco cottons wash used for soiled polo shirts normally.

spare sheets for all beds. Aldi sells them cheaply. For my king size I use a top sheet too so wash the duvet less often.

Stop using the eco cycle.
Have a look in the manual for the next most efficient cycle for your machine. 5 hours is crazy.
We tend to do 10 days between changes, but if it's a good drying day, all sheets and towels get done!

5 hours for a wash? Just stick the bedding in on a wash most have a rapid button or quicker wash to use my 60 degree wash can be put down to an hour and 10 mins then I chuck them straight in the dryer and put back on. I only have one set for the kingsize and do a weekly/10 day wash the kids bedding gets washed every Friday I do have a few sets of these as it’s usually always covered in toothpaste pen what ever else they seem to find and pour on the bed . Or just buy an extra set .

I can understand the cotton bedding thing for the OP but I'd get polycotton for the kids - that generally dries more quickly so you can turn around tumble dryer loads more quickly. Also investigate washer programmes that don't take 5 hours.

I have four kids and two loads a day generally too. Sports kit, swimming towels, uniform it all adds up. Also I don’t change all the beds same day so I don’t have an enormous pile to get through.

We change weekly, but dog sleeps on bed, and we don't wear pyjamas and I'm menopausal.

If you have a more biddable dog and wear pyjamas and aren't menopausal - then every 2 weeks seems fine.

No matter what wash setting you use it's always worth letting the wash sit in the machine for 30 mins or so and then doing another spin. It makes a big difference to drying time for both the line and tumble dryer, especially for 'heavy' things like bedding, towels and jeans. I never use the eco setting unless I'm sure I won't need the machine for most of the day, and always wash towels, bedding and underwear/socks on 60ºC.

I aim to wash weekly in summer when you can dry outside and fortnightly in winter. Have spare bedding for quick changes. If it's dry outside, put in the line and it dries in no time. Bottom pillows, liner pillowcases and mattress protector are only washed every couple of washes or when I know I can get them dry in time.

Plenty of sets.Change beds every 2 weeks in winter ,weekly in warm weather.

Although I hang all clothing and washable nappies to dry on rack, I tumble dry bedding and towels in winter.

That way a regular 60 cotton wash (about 2hrs), then 1hr tumble dry and bedding is sorted. Usually on first thing and all
folded away or back on bed by lunchtime

At least two sets of bedding for each bed. Then I do as much as I can on days when it looks like it's going to be dry (which sometimes means running the machine back to back to plough through it, and I have two washing machines!), 2 hour cycle, hang outside for as long as possible and finish on airers or as a last resort, the tumble drier.

I have lots of beds, and they're not all washed weekly;

Single - washed 4 or 5 times per week
3 x Single - washed every two weeks
King - washed every two weeks

I'd like to wash the fortnightly beds weekly, but with the other single bed needing so many changes, it's just not feasible at the moment. Even with this fortnightly plan for most beds, I'm still washing about 7 sets of bedding a week