When it comes to sleeping, it seems the UK has much to learn from other countries. Recently we shared a duvet hack popular in Scandinavian countries that can help you fall asleep, but it's not common in the UK.
But it turns out we have more to learn from the Nordic countries, as bed experts have praised a duvet cleaning hack that keeps their bedding fresh for longer - and it's also something we don't tend to do.
Savvy Scandinavians tend to air both their bedding and their sheets outside weekly, no matter the temperature outside - and experts are recommending we include this step in our cleaning routines.
Recently TikTok user Cecilia Blomdahl from Svalbard in Norway shared how she leaves her duvets and sheets out for hours for ultimate freshness, and the video has currently been seen more than 460k times.
Rule number one for fresh sheets is "always air out your duvets as often as you can. If you can at least once a week and especially good if it's outside in the cold weather. It just makes them so fresh and airy and amazing," she explained.
Bed experts from Bensons for Beds have now explained why you should be airing out your duvets regularly.
Rachel Marshall, Brand Manager at Bensons for Beds, said: "Scandinavians are known for their healthy approach to sleep and prioritising their wellbeing. This latest element of the Scandi sleep hack is no exception. There are multiple health and hygiene benefits to airing your dry duvet outside - even during colder days.
"If you opt for a sunny day to air your duvet, the sunlight is a fantastic natural deodoriser that can help to remove unpleasant smells caused by things like sweat and oils released from the body which means you can put down those artificial air fresheners or cleaning chemicals to keep your bedding smelling fresh.
"The sunlight can also help to revitalise your duvet in other ways. The warmth of the sunshine can even help to restore the loft of your duvet which helps to give it that fluffy, bouncy feeling that gradually fades over time."
She continued: "Letting your duvet sit out in the fresh air for a few hours every now and then can also help with moisture removal. The fresh air helps to evaporate any excess moisture trapped within the duvet fibres.
"Spring is the perfect time to do this as our homes can often see a build up of humidity particularly in the bedroom over the winter so airing your duvet now will help to prevent the growth of mildew, mould and allergens just in time for summer.
"We'd always recommend giving your duvet a thorough clean every six months, but this quick and easy tip is the perfect way to keep your bedding fresh in those in-between months."
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