A sleep expert has issued a warning about how regularly you should wash your sheets after Kerry Katona admitted she only changes hers every two weeks. Writing in her New! Magazine column, the ex-Atomic Kitten singer, 42, said she doesn't change her sheets more often because it's a “hassle” - but the expert has warned against following her lead.
“I live in a big house with a lot of kids, so it’s a hassle. Share the same bleeding towel, that’s what I say!” the singer wrote. “It’s not good for the environment, or for your energy bills to keep washing them. It’s the same as bed sheets. I probably change my sheets every fortnight.”
It comes weeks after TV star and mum-of-five Stacey Solomon sparked a huge debate on the same issue. While chatting to Fleur East and James Barr on Hits Radio, Stacey said she changes her bedding “once a week”.
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A heated discussion quickly started on social media. On Twitter @Helen86069097 said: "Should definitely be changed once a week no matter what." Another wrote: "Twice a week at least is normal for me!” Meanwhile, @TheBearSBW put: "Does it matter? Is this really a debate? Just make sure it’s clean, and aired daily."
Commenting on the admission by Kerry, sleep expert Martin Seeley gave his advice on how often people should wash their bed sheets, LeicestershireLive reports. The MattressNextDay CEO said: “Ideally, you should be washing your bed sheets every single week.
“Every night, the average person sweats at least 200ml of liquid, which naturally seeps through to your duvet. Further studies show that the average bedding harbours around 20,000 dust mites which can be triggering for those that suffer from allergies, therefore, causing a runny nose, congestion and more.
"Given that 80 per cent of dust mites are made up of your dead skin, which you naturally produce more of overnight, you should be washing your bedding at LEAST once a week.”
He added: “However, if you tend to get night sweats or get hot flushes, you should wash your bed sheets even more often. If your bedding feels damp or ‘clammy’ in the morning, you should strip them and wash them straight away.
“In addition, some medical conditions require that your bed is as clean as it can be with no bacteria or dust to trigger allergies. Suppose you suffer from a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis, or a respiratory condition like asthma. In that case, it may be aggravated by dust mites or bacteria built up in a dirty bed. Therefore, you should wash your sheets as often as possible.”
How to properly clean your bedding
In terms of how you should clean your sheets, Martin said: “You should wash your bedding at 60 degrees as this is the recommended temperature for killing germs. You will however need to combine this wash with a good detergent to protect your bedding and keep it extra soft.
“When possible, you should always air dry your sheets, too. Not only does using a tumble dryer make your bedding more wrinkly, but as one of the most energy-intensive appliances in your home, the costliest dryer can cost Brits £175 a year.
“With this in mind, try hanging your sheets outside allowing the creases to naturally fall out. Plus the ultraviolet rays of the sunlight will remove any bacteria and bleach your sheets, which is extra beneficial for those with white sheets.
Never make your bed first thing in the morning
Martin also warned against making your bed first thing in the morning. He explained: “You should let your mattress air for at least 30 minutes in the morning before making your bed.
“This is because dust mites tend to thrive in warmer environments, therefore, letting your mattress air allows it to cool down, decreasing the number of dust mites it attracts.”
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