An expert has finally settled the debate on how often you should wash your bedding, and I can almost guarantee whatever you’re doing, it’s not enough.
Many of us like to think we can get away with grubby sheets for longer than hygiene might like, but does it really matter?
Well, according to the bedding experts at Bed Kingdom, it sadly does.
Naturally, our beds become full of all kinds of dirt and bacteria – only natural, given how much time we spend in them... never enough though, right?
This not only includes dead skin cells, but also ‘fluid and body oils’ that we lose through sweating and breathing. Grim.
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Because of this, the Bed Kingdom experts say you should wash and change your bed sheets once a week – or, at a push, every other week.
They said: "Once a week is a healthy balance between washing sheets regularly enough to avoid the build-up of bacteria, germs, and dirt, without being so often that it becomes hard to fit into your routine.
"Still, changing your bed sheets weekly can feel like a hassle, especially if you're busy with work, taking care of kids, or just keeping on top of daily chores. So why do you need to change your bedding this often?
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"We lose a lot of fluid and body oils each night through sweating and respiration. We shed dead skin cells, and dirt rubs off our bodies as we toss and turn. These can build up over a week, making your bed sheets dirty and smelly. This can attract bacteria and fungi, which can cause various skin and health conditions."
Thankfully, they don’t suggest washing the pillows and pillow cases quite as often, so at least they won’t contribute to that ever-growing pile of laundry quite as badly.
The experts continued: "For instance, if you use a pillow protector underneath the pillowcase, you can get away with washing your pillow three times a year.
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"It’s good hygiene to unzip and wash the pillow protectors every month, though. This is because oils and dirt from your hair and face can seep into the pillow and pillow protector.
"If you do not use a pillow protector, it is recommended to wash your pillows every month or two months.
"Pillowcases should be washed at least once a week. Pillowcases make contact with your head and face every night."
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Considering the number of oils, sweat, and dirt we can expel from the pores on our face, they can quickly accumulate significant amounts of dirt.
"If you fail to wash your pillowcases once a week, resting your head on such a dirty cover can drastically increase the chances of breakouts, acne, and skin rashes. Regularly washing pillowcases could help reduce breakouts for those who suffer from acne and pimples.”
Jess Hardiman