Experts have revealed how long viruses can live on your bed sheets as winter illnesses spread.
As temperatures plummet, viruses such as cold, flu and Covid-19 are fast spreading as people are urged to stay safe. According to a 2020 survey by Hammond Furniture, one in three people in the UK only wash their bedding once a year.
Experts at Bed Kingdom have revealed the potential dangers of certain microbes, allergens and bugs that can be found on bedding, as well as outlining the best ways to kill and prevent the spread of germs in the bedroom.
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The ECHO previously reported how not washing your bed sheets enough is linked to four medical conditions. It comes as people who are ill are encouraged to wash their bed sheets daily. This can be the last thing you want to do but washing away germs and viruses as "often as possible" is urged.
For others, it is recommended you wash and change your bed sheets once a week or at most, every other week. If you have asthma, or your pet sleeps in your bed, it is recommended you was your sheets every two to three days, as well as those who are prone to breakouts.
How long can microbes live on my bed sheets?
According to Bed Kingdom, germs can appear in your bed from various household items such as towels, toilets, kitchen surfaces and pets. Improper and infrequent laundering can lead to the spread of germs in your bedding. These include:
- Influenza viruses: Can survive for 8-12 hours on tissues and fabrics. These viruses cause the flu, symptoms include a sudden high temperature, body aches, headache, tiredness, and a loss of appetite.
- Staphylococcus aureus: Can survive for one week on cotton sheets. This bacterium is known to cause skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses and cellulitis. Pneumonia or bone infections can occur in severe cases that infect the bloodstream.
- Candida albicans: Can survive for up to a month. These fungal species are known to cause oral thrush, urinary tract infections and yeast infections.
What kind of bugs might I find in my bed sheets?
Dust mites
Dust mites feed on dead skin cells. Although they are not visible to the naked eye, they multiply rapidly without being detected and so tens of thousands of dust mites can live in your bedding at any given point.
The faecal matter and dead bodies of dust mites can cause severe allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms may include coughing, sneezing, skin rashes, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. Dust mites are also a very common trigger for asthma sufferers.
Bedbugs
Bedbugs can also be present on your bed sheets after being carried inside the house via clothes, backpacks, or other family members. Warning signs of having bedbugs are small and raised itchy spots on the skin, spots of blood on your bedding, and small brown spots on bedding (bedbug excrement).
To kill germs completely, it is best to use hot water and wash the bedding at the hottest temperature recommended on the label. It is recommended to wash soiled bedding separately from other washing as the germs can actually pass through the washing process.
Tips on keeping sheets clean before washes include not eating in bed, keeping pets off the bed, showering before, removing make up before and removing dirty socks.
A spokesperson from Bed Kingdom said: "As we move into the colder months, the home and bedroom will be subject to further cold and flu germs. To prevent the spread of these germs among family members and visitors to your home, it is essential to keep all bedding, towels, and clothes clean.
"If you, your partner or your child has been ill, toss your sheets into the wash immediately to kill any lingering germs. Viruses, such as those that cause flu, colds and stomach bugs, can linger on soft surfaces like bedding for up to 12 hours."
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