I’m a sleep expert and here is how often you should really wash your sheets – and it’s different for every person

IT’S a loathsome chore and one that many of us are guilty of putting off but changing your sheets is essential – but just how long can you put it off?

A third of Brits only wash their bedding once a year, a recent survey revealed. 

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Experts have revealed how often you should really be changing your sheets, and you may be surprised[/caption]

With this in mind, sleep experts at Bed Kingdom have outlined how often you should wash your bedding, what could happen if you don’t wash your sheets regularly, and what factors warrant washing bedding more often.    

How often should I wash my bed sheets?

It is recommended that you wash and change your bed sheets once a week, or at most every other week. 

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, lots of us are guilty of neglecting to have a regular sheet-washing schedule as it can feel like a chore when you are busy with work, children, or other daily chores.  

What could happen if I don’t wash my sheets regularly?

We lose a lot of fluid and bodily oils each night as we sweat in our sleep, not to mention the shedding of thousands of dead skin cells every hour. 

These oils and skin cells rub off onto our sheets causing your sheets to become smelly and covered in bacteria and fungi. Laying in this environment every night can cause health conditions such as a yeast infection on the skin.

The real worry is dust mites. Dust mites feed on dead skin cells which are plentiful inside a bed that is slept in for an average of six to eight hours a night. 

Although they are not visible to the naked eye, they multiply at rapid rates without being detected. Fortunately, most people will not be affected by dust mites, but those with allergies and asthma will experience symptoms.

In fact there are a few situations where washing your sheets once a week just won’t do.

You have asthma and allergies – Wash every 2-3 days:

As mentioned above, tens of thousands of dust mites can be living in your bedding at any given point. 

The faecal matter and dead bodies of dust mites can cause severe allergic reactions in some people. 

Symptoms may include coughing, sneezing, skin rashes, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. Dust mites are also a very common trigger for asthma sufferers. It is therefore beneficial to your comfort and health if bedding is washed more frequently. 

Your pet sleeps in your bed – Wash every 2-3 days:

Before getting into bed, it is a great idea to shower off any sweat from the day, therefore preventing bacteria from contaminating your sheets. 

Dogs, cats, and other pets do not bathe every day and can therefore carry even more bacteria onto our bedding than humans. 

Another issue with pets sleeping on your bed is the amount of fur they can shed. With all of this excess fur, skin cells and bacteria on your sheets, it is best to wash your sheets more frequently if you sleep with pets.  

You are ill – Wash daily:

Changing bed sheets daily is recommended for people who are ill. Obviously, this is not the most practical option for those who are bedridden, however, it is best to wash any germs and viruses away as often as you can.

To kill the germs completely, it is best to use hot water. Another beneficial way to further kill viruses and germs is to allow the bedding to dry in the sun as UV light can also help kill micro-organisms. 

A spokesperson from Bed Kingdom commented: “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. 

“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.”