There are four health conditions that could be caused by not washing your bed sheets enough, experts have warned.
If your bed sheets are dirty it could be a playground for potentially dangerous microorganisms to spread.
A 2020 survey by Hammond Furniture disturbingly found that a third of Britons wash their bedding only once a year.
Other studies have shown how mattresses don't need much time to become a source of pathogens, even when covered with bedding.
Experts warn this can lead to several deadly conditions.
And while not regularly cleaning sheets can be a sign of poor hygiene, it can also become a health hazard.
Further studies have also linked dirty bedding to the development of severe diseases like pneumonia, appendicitis and gonorrhoea.
Experts at Bed Kingdom say the body excretes fluids and oils each night during sleep, along with thousands of dead skin cells.
This can attract dust mites which excrete faecal matter linked to allergy, asthma, rhinitis and eczema flare-ups.
The experts at Bed Kingdom told DailyExpress.co.uk : "Changing bed sheets daily is recommended for people who are ill."
Also the faecal matter and dead bodies of dust mites can cause severe allergic reactions in some people.
It added: "Symptoms may include coughing, sneezing, skin rashes, itchy eyes and a runny nose. Dust mites are also a very common trigger for asthma sufferers.
“It is therefore beneficial to your comfort and health if bedding is washed more frequently.”
Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Alok Via said there are more bacterial organisms in our bodies than our own cells.
The expert told DailyExpress.co.uk : When you let the dead skin cells rest in your sheets, those bacteria can thrive. If they get back onto your skin it can lead to folliculitis."
The transmission of infections has also been proved through dirty linen.
Staphylococcus aureus is among the more dangerous bacteria because it is more contagious than other kinds.
It is also intimately linked with severe health conditions like pneumonia.
Appendicitis is also a risk when bacteria or parasites enter the digestive tract, which can happen when the tube that joins your large intestine and appendix is blocked or trapped by stool, explains Johns Hopkins Medicine.
If the appendix bursts, it can lead to "serious and deadly infections".
To avoid letting bed sheets become a vehicle of transmission, experts at Bed Kingdom recommend allocating time to washing your bedding at least once a week.
A spokesperson for the Bed Kingdom said: “Washing bedding can be seen as a hassle and chore for many of us.
“As with any chore, it can be easy to procrastinate and leave it to the last minute, but the potential effects on your health are a great reason to dedicate the time.
“Sticking to a schedule of stripping the bed in the morning is useful to keep on top of your wasting as you will be rewarded with clean sheets the next time you get into bed.
“If you can dry your sheets in the sunlight, this will save you money on tumble dryer costs as well as killing germs further.”
