Sheets need to be washed once a week to eliminate sweat and skin particles that build up on your sheets while you sleep, giving dust mites a lovely environment to live and breed. This can lead to allergy problems. Sheets also need to be washed a certain way as explained here (courtesy of cnet):
Extreme heat or extreme cold kills dust mites. Since putting your sheets in the freezer doesn't clean off the sweat and skin particles, you need to wash your sheets in hot water. The Mayo Clinic says to aim for 130 water that is at least 130 F (54.4 C) to kill dust mites and remove allergens.
Not sure how hot your wash water is? Check your hot water heater's settings. If your hot water heater doesn't show how hot the water is on the dial, there is a way to test your water. Turn on the hot water tap in your kitchen. Wait for the water to warm up, then fill a glass with it. Put a meat or candy thermometer into the water. Is the reading 130 F (54.4 C)? If not, you will want to raise the heat on your water heater.
Even better, if your washer has a sanitize setting, use that. This feature activates heaters in the washer that will heat the water hot enough to kill germs and parasites.
Dry right for a double-whammy of clean. Drying your sheets at high heat can kill anything that your washer missed. Dry your sheets for at least 15 minutes at 130 F (54.4 C).
On an unrelated note, one sign of a true germaphobe is a fear of sorting laundry on a bed. Anyone suffering from this malady should seek immediate help.
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