A bed expert has shared exactly how often you need to wash your bedding.
People spend a third of their lives in bed sleeping, which makes it very important to make sure you're comfortable and clean. Making sure you're washing your bedding regularly can actually stop you from getting ill.
But how often is regularly? Bedding experts at Bed Kingdom have revealed how often your bed sheets should be changed.
READ MORE: Local Elections 2023 results Live from Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, Knowsley and across the country
It's recommended that you wash and change your bed sheets once a week, or at most every other week. Once a week is a healthy balance between washing sheets regularly enough to avoid the build-up of bacteria, germs, and dirt, without being so often that it becomes hard to fit into your routine.
Still, changing your bed sheets weekly can feel like a hassle, especially if you're busy with work, taking care of kids, or just keeping on top of daily chores. So why do you need to change your bedding this often?
A spokesperson from Bed Kingdom said: "We lose a lot of fluid and body oils each night through sweating and respiration. We shed dead skin cells, and dirt rubs off our bodies as we toss and turn.
"These can build up over a week, making your bed sheets dirty and smelly. This can attract bacteria and fungi, which can cause various skin and health conditions.
"Pillows can go longer periods without washing. For instance, if you use a pillow protector underneath the pillowcase, you can get away with washing your pillow three times a year.
"It’s good hygiene to unzip and wash the pillow protectors every month, though. This is because oils and dirt from your hair and face can seep into the pillow and pillow protector. If you do not use a pillow protector, it is recommended to wash your pillows every month or two months."
Pillowcases should be washed at least once a week as they make contact with your head and face every night.
The expert continued: "Considering the number of oils, sweat, and dirt we can expel from the pores on our face, they can quickly accumulate significant amounts of dirt. If you fail to wash your pillowcases once a week, resting your head on such a dirty cover can drastically increase the chances of breakouts, acne, and skin rashes.
"Regularly washing pillowcases could help reduce breakouts for those who suffer from acne and pimples.
"Blankets are a bit of a tricky one. How often you wash them depends entirely on how often they are used. If you use your blanket every night, you’ll want to wash it once every two weeks at least. On the other hand, if your blanket only gets used once in a blue moon, you can go three months without washing it."
Mattresses only need to be washed once or twice a year. Of course, if you drop or spill something on it, you should wash it immediately to avoid it staining. To prevent your mattress from getting dirty more often and thus having to clean it regularly, a high-quality mattress protector can be put on top.
READ NEXT
Chilling CCTV shows moment before driver mows down 'innocent young woman'
RAF coronation flyover route for Merseyside confirmed
Barman unmasked as Snapchat paedophile after sending picture of car's reg plates
Primark's £7 bag looks very similar to £3,000 Chanel version
