The bedroom can be a sanctuary of peace and inspiration; a place of therapy to reset, recharge, and detach from everyday stressors; And a place where you can cultivate a healthy body and mind with the benefits of a good night’s sleep. But if you are making some of these common bedding mistakes, achieving these incredible life-changing benefits is going to be much harder. Here are the 5 most common bedding mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.

1. Choosing Lesser-Quality Bedding

It may not always be what we want to hear, but the adage “you get what you pay for” couldn’t be truer when it comes to bedding. We’ve been around for over 55 years crafting some of the world’s highest quality bedding and have seen what happens when customers choose lesser quality bedding. Spoiler, they always come back to us. Because the right bedding is an investment. And like any investment you want to make a good one that’s going to benefit you for a long time. That’s why cheaper bedding usually ends up costing people far more in the end. Well-crafted bedding will offer more comfort, a better overall experience, and a lasting quality you can count on day after day. And if adding higher quality bedding plays even a tiny part in helping you achieve the positive benefits of a better sleep, it’s already worth it.

2. Not Changing Your Sheets Regularly

Even if this one seems obvious to you, there plenty of people who still don’t routinely change their bedding sheets. And some that do, don’t do it nearly enough. This leaves gross things like dust, dirt, oils, and allergens collecting on the surface. This can cause discomfort, trigger allergies or sensitivities, negatively affect sleep, or even cause additional health issues. It’s recommended you always wash and replace your bedding every two weeks, a month max. One pro tip is to have clean bedding on rotation every couple of weeks to make it easier on you and your washing schedule. Another bonus of switching up your sheets is adding a fresh new look or style to your décor to delight and inspire.

3. Not Getting a Proper Pillow

The positive benefits of finding the right pillow that aligns with your sleeping style are huge. That’s why it’s so frustrating to hear that a massive portion of the population are not using the right pillows. Using the wrong pillow can negatively affect the quality of your sleep, and even have long term physical implications. Plus, there are a variety of ways people sleep and depending on yours, your pillow may not have the right shape, weight, or features. Ideally, everyone should have a pillow that keeps the neck neutral. If you sleep on your side, you probably want a more elevated pillow with added support. Stomach sleepers are apt to react more positively to a softer style. While those of us who switch back and forth during sleep, may want to choose something in the middle territory. If you have allergies or sensitivities, there are also hypoallergenic options for a blissfully uninterrupted sleep. Once you find the pillow that works best for you, most experts recommend replacing it every two years or sooner.

4. Choosing the Wrong Materials

Skin sensitivities, hot and cold temps, our mental and emotional states. These are all important things to consider when choosing our bedding materials. Pick the wrong kind and you could end up sweating through your sheets or tossing through the night. Problem is, we don’t always know which is right for us. During warmer seasons, breathability and lightness often come into play. This is why naturally moisture-wicking materials like fine linen and Egyptian cotton are popular during these times. If you tend to sleep hot, a cotton percale may be the cool layer you need. And if you are into a sleeker, smoother feel, sateen sheets offer a little sheen with a lot of softness. For those colder temps, cotton is still a great choice for its ability to regulate body temps, but linen is also an option as it has incredible thermoregulating properties. This convenient feature makes it possible to stay cooler in the heat, and warmer in the cold—without overheating. And while you can absolutely use thread count as a basis for your decision, higher or lower thread count doesn’t always determine what’s best for you. Sometimes it just comes down to a matter of personal taste, so if you find the sheets you like are a lower thread count, don’t dismiss them outright.
Not sure where to start? Take our bedding quiz to find out which sheets are right for you.

5. Not Identifying What Kind of Sleeper You Are

Maybe one of the biggest mistakes people make is not taking the time to figure out what kind of sleeper they are. Do you run hot or cold? Do you sleep on your side, back, stomach, or all of the above? Do you have skin sensitivities or allergies? Some sensitivities are not always evident, and we often develop them as we get older, so it’s important to make sure these aren’t affecting your sleep. Taking a little time now to pay attention to your sleep habits, routines, and preferences, will save you a whole lot of time and money in the future. Start by simply paying attention to how you feel when going to sleep. You can also keep a sleep journal by the bed, download a sleep app that monitors your sleep, or find another way to determine your ideal sleeping style. When you can identify the things that positively and negatively affect your sleep, mood, etc., you are better able to create a sleeping environment that is specifically tailored to your comfort and happiness.

Got some mistakes of your own to share? Add them in the comments below. And be sure to explore our entire collection of bedding, bath, and other accessories so you don’t make the same bedding mistakes. Have more questions or need help in a particular area? Contact us and someone from our Schweitzer Linen family will be happy to speak with you.