We spend about a third of our lives in bed, and it would seem that this part should be the cleanest. But in fact, it is the bed that often turns out to be the dirtiest place in the house. And we are not talking about stains - but about colonies of bacteria, fungi and dust mites that we feed on our own sweat and dead skin cells every day.
As IFLScience , experts are urging people to reconsider their bedding habits: wash sheets and pillowcases no less than once a week, and at most once every two weeks. Anything less can have serious health consequences.
The bed is a botanical garden of bacteria
According to New York microbiologist Philip Tierno, our bed is gradually turning into a microscopic “zoo.” The moist environment, warmth, and constant contact with the body create ideal conditions for the reproduction of bacteria, fungi, and dust mites.
These "neighbors" can cause:
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eczema;
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allergy;
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asthma exacerbation.
And even if you have never had such symptoms, your immune system can fail over time due to constant contact with the microflora of your bed.
Risk factors
Dermatologist Alok Vijaya notes that there are several signs that you need to wash your bed linen much more often:
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you sweat a lot at night;
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sleep with pets;
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you have allergies or asthma;
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you don't change into pajamas before bed.
And in the summer, adds psychologist Lindsay Browning, the regularity of washing should generally be increased - due to high humidity, sweat, and the spread of pollen in the air.
How to wash correctly?
Dr. Manal Mohammad from the University of Westminster recommends washing bed linen at a temperature of 40 to 60°C — this is the optimal range for killing harmful microorganisms. Pillowcases — it is generally advisable to change them every few days.
It’s also important to “air out” your bed every morning: simply throw back the blanket to let the moisture evaporate. This makes life difficult for mites and bacteria.
How often do people actually change their underwear?
A survey in the UK found that only 28% of respondents wash their bed linen weekly. The majority (36%) do it once every two weeks. But even more worryingly, 10% change their linen once a month, and 45% of single men admitted that they can go up to four months without washing their sheets.
Regularly washing your bed linen is not just an aesthetic issue, but a real concern for your health. This simple rule can save you from allergies, rashes, and chronic sleep deprivation. Because how well you sleep depends not only on your mattress, but also on who (or what) you share your pillow with.
