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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Neil Shaw

How often to wash sheets if you're ill as some bugs live on cotton for a month

A 2017 Infection, Disease & Health study revealed that viruses could be transmitted and contracted from soiled linens and a 2020 survey conducted by Hammonds Furniture found that a third of Brits only wash their bedding once a year. As bugs and viruses become more prevalent in the winter, now is a great time to take preventative measures against spreading and catching germs.

Sleep experts at Bed Kingdom have revealed the potential dangers of certain microbes, allergens and bugs that can be found on bedding, as well as outlining the best ways to kill and prevent the spread of germs in the bedroom.

Germs can appear in your bed from various household items such as towels, toilets, kitchen surfaces and pets. Improper and infrequent laundering can lead to the spread of germs in your bedding. Below are some common microbial species that can live in your bed and how long they can survive:

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