Not washing our bedding often enough can be unhygienic and research has now shown a link with unclean bedding to a number of diseases. One in three people in the UK only wash their bedding once a year, according to a 2020 survey by Hammond Furniture.
According to sleep experts at Bed Kingdom say the body excretes fluids and oils each night during sleep, along with thousands of dead skin cells, reports Liverpool Echo. This attracts dust mites which excrete faecal matter linked to allergy, asthma, rhinitis and eczema flare-ups.
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This is why several health factors warrant more frequent washing of bed sheets, like asthma or being ill. An expert from Bed Kingdom told the Express: "Changing bed sheets daily is recommended for people who are ill. The dead bodies of dust mites can cause severe allergic reactions in some people."
The expert continued: “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 there are more bacterial organisms in our bodies than our own cells. She said: “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."
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 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 washing as you will be rewarded with clean sheets the next time you get into bed."
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