A sleep specialist has issued a word of warning after Kerry Katona wrote about washing her bedsheets in her new column.
The mum-of-five told fans that she changes them once every two weeks - saying it's because of how busy she is at home. However, it turns out this isn't always hygienic and you should be doing it more frequently.
Writing in her New! magazine column, she said: "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!” She wrote, adding: "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."
Leicestershire Live reports that this comes just after TV star Stacey Solomon sparked debate on social media after telling fans live on Hits Radio that she cleans hers "once a week".
Commenting on what Kerry said, sleep expert Martin Seeley has revealed how often homeowners should be washing their bed sheets. The MattressNextDay CEO says: "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 clean your bedding
In terms of the best and most hygienic way to wash 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 the most energy-intensive appliances in your home, the costliest dryer can cost Brits £175 per 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."
When you should make your bed
Martin warns that although the first thing many people do after waking up is tidy their bed, he says we should avoid doing so. “You should let your mattress air for at least 30 minutes in the morning before making your bed." He said.
"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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