Bedding Advice
How Often Should You Change and Wash Your Bedding
Well, the shortest possible answer would be, “it depends”. Most experts recommend that bedding should be washed every week. However, some people prefer to wash their linens every two weeks, especially if they don’t have enough time or they don’t always sleep on their bed. However, it is very important to consider laundering your sheets once a week if you or your partner sweat a lot, suffer from dust or pollen allergies, have a transmittable illness or your pet sleeps in your bed.
Washing your bedding can be an addition to your already-busy schedule. However, once you know what happens when you don’t often change your sheets, perhaps you will be motivated to wash them more frequently.
What Lies Under Your Sheets?
This is ultimately gross, so be prepared. What you are aware of is that you are sleeping with your sweat, dirt and body oils. But what you do not know is there are swarms of dust mites hiding on your bed. Keep in mind that they are invisible, so you don’t have to look for them. However, if you happen to see something crawling on your bed, they are probably bedbugs. But this is another thing.
You’ll be glad to know that dust mites don’t bite, but there are other reasons you should be worried about them. The fact is, they feed on the sleeper’s dead skin. There are about 100,000 to 10 million of these critters residing in your mattress. The worst thing is they are using your bed as their comfort room. Unbeknownst to you, the pillow that you have been using for two years might already be filled with 10 per cent of their carcasses and faecal matter. Feeling grossed out already?
Although they are not capable of biting, dust mites can be considered an allergen. Oftentimes, they can cause asthma, eczema, hay fever, coughs and other issues. However, dust mites are not the only ones creeping into your bed sheets. There are also lots of germs! Hence, if you are suffering from a contagious disease such as a cold or flu, then chances are you are spreading additional germs on your bed.
What is the Best Way to Wash Your Bedding?
The best method of washing your bedding would be to use the hottest water if your bedding can stand it. Using hot water is very effective in killing any pathogens and critters. However, most care labels will advise you to use cooler water in washing the sheets.
Be sure to read the label carefully before throwing your sheets into the washer. You must follow the instructions carefully and be aware of any precautions. If it says you can’t wash your sheets in hot water or you cannot use high heat in the dryer, then you can let them dry in the sun. After all, sunlight is very effective in killing mites. Another strategy would be to iron your linens. This can help in sanitizing your bed sheets without using too much heat on them.
Ideally, you should wash your sheets once a week. If the task is too much for you, then you can get a second set of sheets. So, come time to change your bedding, you will have extra bedding you can use. You can wash the second bedding the following week.
If you are suffering from an infectious illness, you have to change your bedding when you are already feeling better. In this way, you can avoid the risk of reinfection.
Should You Change Your Sheets More Often?
You don’t have to wash them too often; however, you should not miss cleaning these things: It is recommended that blankets and comforters be washed at least once for each season. After washing, you can toss them in the dryer on high heat. Turn the settings between 10 to 15 minutes to completely remove any critters.
Most people do not wash their pillows; however, they should be washed at least once or twice each year. Although washing your pillows might be a long process, it’s all worth it! Since there is probably lots of filthy stuff inside your pillows, it is only practical to invest time in washing them. Cleaning your pillows will make them fluffy again, and at the same time, it can prolong their life.
Why Should You Clean Your Sheets?
Using clean bedsheets can give you one of the best feelings in the world. There’s no doubt that it can make you feel like you are in a fresh environment. As a result, you can have peace of mind. It’s like having a well-organised room.
Furthermore, based on the latest study by the National Sleep Foundation, the majority of its respondents claim that sleeping in a clean bedroom is an important factor in having quality sleep. Additionally, more than half of its respondents revealed that sleeping on fresh clean sheets also matters.
How Often Should Mattress Protectors be Washed?
Usually, it is recommended that they should be washed once every two months. However, when there are accidental spills, you need to wash them more frequently. But, generally, you don’t need to wash them nearly as often as sheets.
How Often Should You Buy New Sheets?
If you wash your sheets more often, then their quality might deteriorate more quickly. Once your sheets have already been worn or the elastic has been damaged, then it’s time to let them go.
If your sheets are made of high-quality brands, then they can probably last for twenty years or more. On the other hand, if you are using the cheaper ones, then most likely it will not last for more than a year or two. For most people, the appropriate time to purchase new sheets would be when you are renovating your bedroom or altering its decor.
Conclusion
When faced with washing sheets, most people will say they are busy. However, if you think about the number of hours your body has been in direct contact with these sheets, then this should inspire you to make it a top priority. Hence, washing your bedsheets should be included in your list of weekly must-do activities.
