Can you wear the same pyjamas all week
Short answer: Many people do, and for most it is fine to wear the same pyjamas for three or four nights if you go to bed clean. If you sweat a lot at night or the weather is warm, it is better to change more often.
What happens to pyjamas overnight
At night the body gives off moisture and heat, even when you do not notice yourself sweating. Skin cells and skin oils end up in your nightwear and bedding. Pyjamas are therefore used more than you might think, even if they do not look dirty. How soon they need washing depends on how much you sweat, how warm you sleep and whether you shower before bed.
A rule of thumb
For most people, three to four nights is a sensible starting point. If you shower in the evening and sleep cool, you can often stretch it a little. If you sweat a lot, it is summer, or you have been ill, it is better to change after one or two nights. If your pyjamas have started to smell, it is time for a wash, however many nights have passed. If night sweats persist, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor.
Air them between nights
If you wear the same pyjamas for several nights, it helps to air them during the day. Hang them over a chair or on a hook rather than folding them under the pillow. That lets the moisture evaporate, and the fabric feels fresher in the evening. The same goes for the duvet. Fold it back in the morning so the bed can air before you make it.
The material makes a difference
Nightwear in a material that moves moisture and lets the skin breathe can feel fresher over several nights. Bamboo viscose can absorb moisture and feels cool against the skin, which many people find pleasant to sleep in. Plenty of people simply sleep in a soft T-shirt, for example one of the bamboo T-shirts for men, which is easy to change and wash. Textiles for the home, from pyjamas to throws, can also be found under home and homewear in bamboo.
Keep several sets in rotation
Changing often is easier if you have two or three sets of nightwear in use. There is then always a clean set ready while the other is being washed and dried. It also means less wear on each set, as it gets to rest between uses. If you are looking for more sets, it can be worth keeping an eye on the sale, where basics are often included.
Washing nightwear
Nightwear can usually be washed with other clothing of the same colour at the temperature on the label. Viscose does best at 30 to 40 degrees and air drying, so it does not shrink. Avoid too much detergent and fabric softener, as residue can make the fabric less soft and less absorbent. It helps to wash bedding and nightwear on the same rhythm, so the whole bed is fresh at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
How many nights can you wear pyjamas
For most people three to four nights. Change more often if you sweat a lot or sleep warm.
Does airing pyjamas help
Yes. Hang them up during the day so the moisture can evaporate.
Does nightwear need a hot wash
No, it is not necessary. Follow the label, usually 30 to 40 degrees for viscose.
See our range of bamboo pyjamas for women.
