Cleaning your bedding regularly plays a major role in routine hygiene practices that will benefit your health. But if you don’t know often you should be washing your bed sheets, you might be taking risks without even knowing it.
“Our beds are crucial for achieving the quality sleep needed for good physical and mental health. Recent research found that almost half of single men only wash their sheets three times a year, which can not only cause unpleasant odour and unsightly sheet discoloration but can also be bad for our skin and respiratory health. Over time, dust mites, mildew, and a whole array of other allergens can build up in our sheets and bedding which can cause allergic reactions or respiratory distress which make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep,” explains Rachel Beard, Sleep Wellness Manager of A.H. Beard’s Sleep Wellness Centre
Not to mention the skin cells coming off our bodies on a daily basis can breed the growth of certain bacteria and certain mites. This collection of day-to-day germs and tiny critters can up your chances of infection, especially if you’re dealing with pre-existing skin conditions, or have chronic wounds, or ulcers. It can even affect your breathing.
So to find out more, we picked Rachels brain, and finally got to the bottom of the sheet washing debate.
How often should we actually wash our sheets?
“As we spend so much time wrapped up in our sheets, it is important to change your sheets as regularly as possible. You should aim to clean your bedding linens once every fortnight and weekly for night sweaters or those snacking in bed.
“Sharing our beds with pets will also cause a build up of dirt and shed fur. If you can’t resist keeping your furry friends o the bed, you should change your sheets at least once a week to avoid any allergic reactions (as well as making sure to wash your pets regularly),” says Beard.
How often should you clean your mattress and pillows, and when should bedding be replaced?
“Every week we can spend anywhere from 49-63 hours in our beds which is a lot of time for sweat, oil, dirt, drool, moisturiser and more to build up! Exact cleaning schedules will vary for each person, but there are some essential cleaning guidelines we should all abide by.
“Mattresses collect pollen, dust, and debris over time and should be deep cleaned at least once every six months (more often if you have allergies or pets). On top of this regular cleaning, your mattress should be replaced every 7-10 years for good hygiene but also to ensure your mattress is still structurally sound and performing as it is designed.
Our pillows are a different story as they are directly touching our faces and can become unhygienic more quickly. Our haircare and skincare can also cause a significant build up of product on our pillows which can cause breakouts and skin irritation over time. We recommend changing your pillows every couple of years or when they start to look visibly worse — that applies to everyone with yellow, discoloured pillows!
“It’s important we don’t forget about our sheets, pillowcases, mattress protectors and duvets too. Sheets should be washed every one to two weeks while your mattress protector and duvet should be washed or changed every year or if they start to discolour. If you’re someone suffering from asthma or allergies, try washing your linen in hot water (above 55 degrees),” she explains.
What’s mattress rotating and should you do it?
“Rotating your mattress, or turning it 180 degrees so the head of the mattress becomes the foot of it, helps balance the wear of the mattress to improve its lifespan and performance. When rotating your mattress you should simply be turning it, not flipping as most mattresses aren’t designed for use on both sides. You should rotate your mattress once every month and once every fortnight for the first month of use.
“When you rotate your mattress it’s also a good idea to clean it. One way of doing this is mattress vacuuming with the special attachment for mattresses that most vacuums come with. If your vacuum doesn’t have this attachment you can use any soft brush attachment. This ensures your mattress is clear of any dust mites or other irritating particles,” explains Beard.
What makes a good mattress and bedding?
There are many factors that contribute to a good night’s sleep, or what we call Premium Sleep, and a comfortable mattress plays a very important role in this. It can be hard to know what to look for when working out if a mattress is quality and comfortable or not but to help simplify this A.H. Beard has created a list of six essentials to consider when working out if a mattress is right for you:
1. Don’t be disturbed: If your partner’s tossing, turning or twitching interrupts your sleep, a body-conforming comfort and support system is essential for absorbing and isolating their movements.
2. Temperature regulating: If you are a hot sleeper, temperature regulating fabrics, fibres and components are essential for dispersing heat from your body for a cooler, more comfortable night’s rest.
3. Adaptive support: If good posture is a priority for you, an adaptive support system is essential for maintaining healthy spinal alignment – no matter how your body changes over the years.4. Pressure relieving comfort: If aches, pains or pins and needles keep you awake, high quality comfort components are essential for relieving your pressure points and easing you to sleep.
5. Breath easy: If you are affected by allergies or respiratory issues, it’s essential every component in your mattress provides long-term protection from bacteria, mould, dust mites and their allergens.
6. It feels right for you: If you have trouble getting to sleep, a key essential is that it feels right, with soft to touch fabrics and comfort components that create a luxurious first impression.
Bed sheets: FAQ
How should you wash bed sheets?
When the time for washing comes, take the sheets off the mattress and read the label carefully. There, you will find instructions on how to wash and dry your sheets correctly. Use the warmest temperature it specifies. If there isn’t a cycle specified, a normal or regular cycle will usually suffice for cotton, polyester or linen sheets.
Can I put bed sheets in washing machine?
Modern washing machines have so many different cycles that it’s nearly impossible to choose the wrong one. If you have one of these machines, you probably have a cycle that’s only for sheets. And if you don’t, you can simply opt for the regular cycle.
Can you wash bedding at 60 if it says 40?
Sheets should be washed at a warm temperature to kill bacteria. A good temperature to wash bed sheets is 40 degrees but a 60-degree wash will be better at killing germs and should be used if someone in the house has been ill. As always, it’s best to consult your bedding care labels for guidance on temperature as some fabrics can change shape and texture if washed too hot.
