A debate has been raging about how often we should be washing our bed sheets - now a sleep expert has given their views on the subject.
It all started after Kerry Katona revealed how often she washes her bedding. Taking to her New! Magazine column, the former Atomic Kitten singer admitted she changes her sheets every two weeks.
"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."
Read More: Cleaning expert shares £1 tricks to remove common stains created by children including food and mud
It comes just a few weeks after TV star Stacey Solomon revealed how often she washed her sheets. Speaking to hosts Fleur East and James Barr on Hits Radio, she told listeners she cleans her bedding "once a week".
Before long, a debate started online with varying reactions from people, reports Leicestershire Live. 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!”
Now sleep expert Martin Seeley has explained 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.”
Read Next:
Bed expert shares best ways to clean your mattress and how often you should change it
Mrs Hinch fans praise 38p cleaning tip for banishing yellow stains from toilet seats
Tumble dryer 'mistakes' to avoid to stop energy bills from soaring, according to experts
Stacey Solomon show explains how to get rid of limescale from kettles without scrubbing
Mrs Hinch fans share 95p trick that cleans grout from tiles without the need to scrub
