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How often should you change your bed sheet


How often should you change your bed sheets?

Image source, Getty Images

By Manish Pandey

Newsbeat reporter

Some may think of it as a topic not to be discussed publicly, but it's one that affects each and every one of us: How often should you be changing and washing your bed sheets?

Research has shown the public cannot agree on the answer, and a new survey of 2,250 UK adults has found another split.

Almost half of single men said they don't wash their bed sheets for up to four months at a time, with 12% admitting they wash them when they remember - which could be even longer.

"That's really not a good plan," Dr Lindsay Browning, a chartered psychologist, neuroscientist and sleep expert tells Radio 1 Newsbeat.

Single women changed more often, 62% cleaning their bedding every two weeks, and couples claiming to do theirs every three weeks, according to data from a bedding company.

Why do we even need to change our bedsheets?

To cut to the chase, Dr Browning says we should be changing our sheets once a week, or every two weeks at the most.

Hygiene is a big factor, and one of the reasons is sweat. If you've ever tried sleeping in a heatwave, you'll know how difficult it can be.

"Sweat goes into the sheets making them not only smell disgusting but also become quite clogged up," according to Dr Browning.

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption,

Imagine waking up as happy as the woman in this stock image

She says we need to have airflow to feel cool when sleeping - as that's when we get the best shuteye.

But it's not just sweat that we need to think of, our own dead skin cells which we get rid of during sleep are also a concern.

"If you don't wash your bedsheets enough, your dead skin cells are going to build up in these sheets."

Sound horrible? It gets worse. That build-up means small creatures known as mites can feed off those cells, causing discomfort and skin rashes.

"You won't only be sleeping in the yuckiness of the sweat and dead skin cells, but the mites too."

Does the time of year matter?

Sort of.

"We can be slightly more forgiving in the winter months," says Dr Browning, but once a week "would be ideal".

If you're going more than every two weeks "you're getting into not so great territory".

Even though we sweat less in the winter, you're still getting rid of dead skin cells, she says.

"And you're still going to bed with slightly dirty hands, the same breath coming out of your mouth."

In the survey, 18% said showering at night, so the bed sheets don't get dirty, was a reason for not changing bedding more regularly.

Dr Browning says summer brings the added issue of hay fever and pollen.

"It's really important to wash your sheets regularly because you'll get those allergens in the bed, which will cause you to have that congestion. "

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption,

"We sleep well in hotels because bedrooms tend to be well-thought out, the sheets are good quality and change regularly"

A sanctuary

Forgetting (67%), not being bothered (35%), and not having any other clean bedding (22%) are some of the top reasons people say they don't change their bedding more, with 38% saying they didn't believe bedding needed washing "more often", according to the Pizuna Linens research.

Dr Browning says your bedroom should be a "sanctuary" for sleep, and "a wonderful, pleasant place where we feel happy".

She has clients who have insomnia and she says "if your sheets are not washed, and they look dirty, they smell, it's adding to that sensation that your bed isn't somewhere that you want to be".

"If we get into bed and feel relaxed, comfy and happy, and that new bedding smell helps us to feel calm and happy."

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How Often Do You Really Need to Change Your Sheets?

I have a secret to confess: Sometimes I go a month (or close to it) without changing my sheets. It’s mostly due to how inconvenient I find the whole task. First, there’s stripping my queen-size bed and wrestling the slightly-too-small spare fitted sheet onto the corners, a job that usually requires my boyfriend’s help. Then I have to lug my laundry down three flights of stairs to the laundromat across the street (that’s New York City apartment living for you).

It turns out that I’m far from the only one with this habit. A Mattress Advisor survey of more than 1,000 Americans found that, on average, people go 24.4 days before swapping their dirty sheets for fresh ones. Some of the other highlights from the survey:

What Happens When You Don’t Change Your Sheets?

“What people really need to understand is that we’re all walking bags of microbes,” says Jason Tetro, aka “The Germ Guy,” a microbiologist in Canada and author of The Germ Files. “Every single hour, we’re going to be shedding bacteria—and the numbers vary, but it’s in the millions every hour.” Yes, you read that correctly: millions.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology found that the highest amounts of bacterial contamination on sheets was in the areas of the head, groin, and legs. If you’re a side sleeper, your breath could also contaminate that side of your sheets and pillowcases with bacteria as well.

Preventing viruses and bacteria growth

Bacteria need three things to thrive in your bed: water, food, and warmth, says Tetro. “Unless you’re living in an igloo, you’re going to have warmth—and the likelihood is you’re going to have food because the bacteria live on you,” he says. “They like what you’re giving off, which includes skin and oils.”

Whether or not the bacteria live well comes down to the water concentration in your sheets. Tend to sweat buckets overnight? Making your bed as soon as you wake up provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

“If you sweat a lot, you’re going to want to give your sheets a few hours to dry out before making your bed because that will reduce the likelihood that the water will be there for the bugs to grow,” explains Tetro. (Sheets made of breathable materials, like Saatva’s new line of organic cotton sheets, will wick moisture and keep you sleeping cool. )

When the bacteria are all coming from your own body, they’re relatively harmless. “The worst possible thing is that your sheets are going to smell,” says Tetro. But once you start introducing bugs from the outside—say you take a flight, skip the shower when you get home, and immediately head to bed—minor issues could arise.

In this case, “the majority of concerns are going to be skin infections,” Tetro says. “You might end up with more acne or dandruff.” If you enjoy sleeping au naturel, you may have more to worry about, though. “For those naked sleepers, something may crawl up you and you may end up with a UTI, but there’s a very, very low likelihood of this happening,” he adds.

Viruses die in a matter of hours, so you don’t have to be concerned with them lingering on your sheets—although the norovirus can survive for about a month, says Tetro, who rightly notes that you’ll probably want to change your sheets ASAP if you’ve come down with this icky illness.

How Often Should You Change Your Sheets?

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If you properly allow your sheets to dry out in the morning, then bacteria will grow for roughly two weeks, with a peak amount on your sheets at around the 14-day mark, says Petro.

“So scientifically speaking, 14 days is probably when you’re going to want to change your sheets,” he says. If you’re someone who makes their bed first thing in the a.m. without letting your sheets air out (or you don’t shower every night before bed), then it’s best to change them a little more often—every seven to 10 days, suggests Tetro.

The best way to clean dirty sheets

“From a cleaning perspective, hot water is your friend,” says Tetro. Research from the American Society for Microbiology found that washing bed linens in 140°F for 10 to 13 minutes is ideal for destroying bacteria.

RELATED: Guide to Cleaning the Bedroom via Saatva.com

“If you’re using cool water and you’re not using a detergent that is known to kill these bugs, they have a nice bit of a rollercoaster ride, and then they end up somewhere else,” Tetro points out. “And if you don’t put your sheets in the dryer, then you’re not getting the heat that’s necessary to kill them. ”

Although hot water will effectively kill any microscopic creepy-crawlers on your sheets, most bed linens will come with instructions to launder them in cold water to preserve the fabric and extend their life. So if you prefer to use cold water, make sure to toss your sheets in the dryer after. Just be sure not to ruin all of your hard work by putting clean sheets onto your bed with dirty hands. “For the love of goodness, wash your hands before you handle clean laundry,” Tetro says.

With classic innerspring, ultra-premium memory foam, and natural latex mattresses, Saatva is where the search for a better night's sleep comes to rest. For more sleep tips and advice, visit Saatva's sleep blog.

How often should bed sheets be changed - expert advice

How often you need to change bedding is a question that dermatologists give an answer to. It is they who know what sleep on contaminated fabric is fraught with. After all, the consequences of such a rest affect the skin. The path from harmless irritation to debilitating itching is short. Therefore, the question of how often bed linen should be changed is worth a separate consideration. Also pay attention to recommendations on how to wash fabrics.

Why you need to change your bed linen often

To partially answer the question of how much to change bedding, a simple calculation will help. An adult sleeps an average of 7-8 hours a day. All this time the fabric is in contact with the skin. And if outerwear is changed, then no one takes off the linen on the bed every day.

In just one week, a person spends 49 hours in his bed. This is tantamount to the fact that he will wear a jacket and pants without a change for more than two days. This period of time is very long. Already on the second day, a person will want to replace clothes with cleaner ones.

Considering that a lot of time per week is spent on contact with linen, its frequent replacement and subsequent washing is necessary. After all, in 49 hours, the fabric becomes dirty.

The reasons why bed linen change is necessary are described by dermatologists:

How often to change bedding and wash it depends on how responsible a person is for their own hygiene. It is often advised to do these procedures for people who spend a lot of time in bed. For those who do not have pets and limit themselves to short sleep sessions, it is recommended to change less frequently.

What happens if you rarely change it?

How often you need to change bed linen at home in order not to experience problems with the epidermis, 65% of people know. A much smaller percentage is aware of the consequences if the rules of hygiene are neglected. A person leaves particles of keratinized epidermis, hair, fat and sweat secretions in the bed. All this becomes a good place to start:

If bed linen is not changed frequently and not washed, then the colonies of pathogenic organisms increase. The growth of their number causes the development of skin diseases, allergic reactions. Respiratory infections appear.

A person's sleep on dirty bedding is worse. Upon contact with such tissue, foci of inflammation appear on the skin. Hair gets dirty quickly.

Expert advice

The answer to how often to change bedding at home and wash it is given by a dermatologist. Their general recommendation is once every 10-14 days. But this is a general rule. The frequency of changing linen is affected by the season of the year, weather conditions:

But there are still narrow factors that also affect how many times you need to change bedding.

Change of bed linen on children's beds

In children, the process of necrosis of epidermal cells is not as fast as in adults. Babies are distinguished by low secretion of sebum. In a situation where the child sleeps separately from the parents, the replacement takes place every 10-14 days, or as pollution forms.

Separately, it is worth considering the question of how often it is necessary to change bedding for newborns. They are the most vulnerable category. Their immune system has not yet formed, and therefore it is very vulnerable. Another fact is also important - the newborn spends most of the day in the crib. With this in mind, bed linen is kept clean all the time. Change it every 3-4 days or more often, as it gets dirty. If the baby has soiled the fabric, do not wash it. Needs to be washed immediately. Before laying a new one, they iron it. The iron is heated to the maximum. The hot temperature has been proven to be effective in killing germs that did not die during the wash.

When to change bed linen if a person is sick

How often bed linen should be changed for adults who are ill depends on the diagnosis. If the disease is accompanied by heavy sweating, then once a day a change is required. This is the only way to avoid the deterioration of the patient's well-being. If this is difficult, then a partial replacement can be made. Once a day they change the sheet and pillowcase, every 2-3 days the duvet cover.

When to change bed linen partially

You can partially change and wash the sheets in the summer. This is typical for people living in hot and humid climates. The fabric on which a person sleeps becomes wet due to perspiration. Therefore, the sheet is changed often - 1 time in 3-4 days.

Pillowcases can be changed after every hair wash. There are types of hair that become greasy in the evening after a shower. Therefore, experts recommend going to bed with clean curls every time, or changing the pillowcase in the morning when there was no going to the shower.

How to change bedding to get rid of dust mites

Even the cleanest categories of people cannot overcome a dust mite. You can get rid of it while maintaining sterile conditions. They can only be recreated in the laboratory. According to scientists, 2.5 thousand dust mites live in 1 g of dust. And although it is impossible to completely get rid of them, it is necessary to stop the increase in their number.

An interesting fact is that over 10 years of mattress operation in the absence of cleaning, the product gained 2-3 kg in weight. But all this extra mass consists of billions of colonies. To prevent this, follow a number of recommendations:

As a preventive measure, the mattress can be treated with a UV lamp.

What factors affect how often you change clothes

How often to change bed linen for adults depends on a number of different factors. One of them is the region of residence. The hotter and wetter the climate, the more often the bed is made. In cold and dry places, this is done less frequently. But there are a number of reasons that affect how much you need to change bed linen. Each of them requires separate consideration.

Having pets

Cats, dogs and other animals are man's friends. But if they sleep in the master's bed, the bed gets dirty very quickly. This is due to the habits of pets. How many times you need to change bedding in a house where animals live depends on their behavior.

Once every 5 days they change when the pet sleeps on the bed with the owner. The pillowcase is changed immediately if the animal has slept on the pillow. No matter how clean a cat or dog is, they are a great danger. Animals don't wear underwear. Their genitals are open. Sleeping face down in the place where the animal's pelvis lay is a bad idea. Irritation, herpes, parasites - this is not a complete list of what can appear on the skin. It's easier to wean an animal off the owner's bed than to wonder how many times you need to change bedding at home.

Personality

A number of studies have proven that sleeping naked is unhygienic. Bed linen gets dirty faster. Therefore, lovers of sleeping without pajamas are advised to make a bed once every 5 days.

If a person takes a shower once a week, then a trip to the bathroom is combined with a change of linen. When a person sweats very much, they change it every 1-3 days. How often you need to change bedding at home is also affected by the number of people sleeping in the bed. In cases where a child sleeps with parents, the change occurs 1 time in 7 days.

Tips for every day

Bed linen care instructions

It is worth considering the fabric from which the bed linen is sewn. Linen is washed at 60°, linen is not more than 95° (it is possible in a delicate mode at 65°). Jacquard and silk - no more than 30 ° machine or hand wash. Satin and bamboo fibers - at 40 °. It is worth noting that cotton and linen are endowed with the best hygienic qualities. Bed linen made of such fabric is washed at high temperature. Most microbes die only in the regime at 60°. Delicate fabrics, on the contrary, do not withstand such processing. Therefore, their hygienic qualities are low.

Total

Bed linen is the key to a healthy sleep. The condition of the skin, the respiratory system depends on its purity. The less dust and bacteria in the fabric fibers, the higher the quality of sleep. When it is necessary to change bed linen - everyone decides for himself. Recommendations given by dermatologists allow us to develop the best scheme to help keep the bed clean.

How often should bed linen be changed?

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It is advisable to change bed linen once a week, especially in summer and spring. In winter, bed linen can be changed once every two weeks. Closer attention should be paid to pillowcases. They should change a little more often, especially when the hair of the person sleeping on them is of the oily type.

During infectious diseases or at a high temperature, a more frequent change of bed is indicated. So, for example, sometimes it needs to be changed daily. After recovery, fresh linen is covered.

There are several reasons why bedding needs to be changed. Firstly, this is a replacement due to wear and tear - no matter how strong the fabric is, time and washing do their job - it wears out, becomes thinner and loses its properties. The current replacement occurs for a different reason - bed linen loses its freshness, becomes greasy and dirty. Why is this happening?

In fact, a person never goes to bed alone - with him in bed there is a huge number of microorganisms - fungi, bacteria and mites. Human skin cells are an ideal breeding ground for bed mites, one of the most serious sleep hygiene problems.

In addition to mites, molds, pet dander, bacteria, skin secretions, dust, various fibers, dirt, insect particles, sand and cosmetics lead to soiling of bed linen.

Naturally, all this does not add freshness to bed linen, is a direct threat to the human respiratory tract, can lead to a deterioration in the health of allergy sufferers and asthmatics, as well as to the development of allergies in completely healthy people.

On clean bedding, sleep is more comfortable. It makes you fall asleep faster and breathe easier. And this is not self-indulgence at all. Rest on dirty linen is not only dangerous, but also unproductive - it is almost impossible to fully relax on it.

Is it possible to wash bed linen in such a way as to get rid of all harmful factors? Of course! The water temperature in this case should be 60 degrees and above - there are similar programs in every “washer”.

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