It is a popular discussion, but how often should you actually wash your bed sheets?
Stripping and remaking your bed can feel like such a chore, especially when you just want to dive in and get cosy during thee chilly, winter nights. In fact, a survey carried out by Hammond Furniture found that a third of Brits admitted to only washing their bedding once a year. Ew, right?
But there is actually an important health reason behind the answer to how much you should be changing your sheet, according to experts.
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Studies have shown that washing your bedsheet infrequently can become a health hazard. This is because a mattress can quickly become a source of pathogens - which can set the stage for several deadly conditions including pneumonia, appendicitis and gonorrhoea, according to researchers.
Sleep experts at Bed Kingdom explain that the body excretes fluids and oils each time you sleep in bed, along with thousands of dead skin sells. And this can then attract dust mites, reports The Mirror.
These mites then excrete faecal matter on beds and in mattresses - which is linked to allergy, asthma, rhinitis and eczema flare-ups.
“Changing bed sheets daily is recommended for people who are ill,” explains Bed Kingdom.
“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 explained that there are more bacterial organisms in our bodies than our own cells. “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,” said the expert.
The transmission of infections has also been proven possible through soiled 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.
Another risk people face is appendicitis when bacteria or parasites enter the digestive tract.
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.”
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