Washing your bedsheets is a tiresome chore, as stripping the bed and then wrestling your duvet to put fresh sheets back on feels like a never-ending task. If you tend to avoid washing your sheets, you're not alone, as one study by Hammonds Furniture found that a third of Brits wash their bedding once a year.
It might be time to reconsider your habits, however as one sleep expert has revealed the consequences of leaving them on for too long. The team at BedKingdom.co.uk have shared insight into how often you should clean your sheets, and it makes for surprising reading for many.
The answers vary if you have pets who sleep on the bed with you - even if you tell them not to - plus allergies are another big factor.
The sleep expert says that as an average you should be getting a fresh set of sheets on the bed once a week, or once a fortnight at the very most. Sticking to the same sheets for any longer than that could give rise to germs and bacteria in the bed while you sleep.
If they aren't washed regularly, then skin cells, sweat and bodily oils can rub off into the sheets which could cause them to turn really smelly.
Another danger is the dust mites which build up during the night, with a person sleeping in the bed for eight hours. These are not visible to the human eye but can multiply rapidly and can impact those with conditions such as asthma or those with allergies.
If you have allergies or are asthmatic, you should wash the sheets every 2-3 days to avoid much of a build-up of dust mites as over ten thousand can be in the bedding at any one time.
Similarly, if you have a pet who sleeps in the bed with you then you should be sure to wash your sheets every 2-3 days too.
"Washing bedding can be seen as a hassle and a 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," a spokesperson from BedKingdom explained.
"Sticking to a schedule of stripping the bed in the morning is a useful way to keep on top of your washing 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."
The experts warn that anyone who is feeling unwell should try to wash their sheets every day. This could be a tricky task for those who are bedridden it's the best to wash away any unwanted bacteria and viruses from the bed. This wash should be done with hot water.
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