Seven tips for keeping your bed sheets clean so you sleep better

We all love the feeling of tucking ourselves into bed with freshly washed sheets and a clean set of pyjamas. Washing the sheets, however, is another story.

Emptying the washing machine just to make space for our bed sheets can be annoying, and finding space to hang them up afterwards can be a mission, especially if you don’t have a garden or dryer.

For this reason, many of us might try to long out washing our sheets as long as possible, sometimes leaving them on our beds for weeks, but experts atReviewedhave explained why that could be bad for our health.

READ MORE: Over half of Brits experience allergies – and suffer debilitating symptoms

When we leave our bed sheets for more than a week, we risk "sleeping while surrounded by body oils, bacteria, dead skin cells, and dust mites,” the experts have warned.

Experts at the Sleep Foundation has also said that while most people should wash their sheets at least once per week, people who have pets, and particularly those who let them sleep in the bed, should wash them every 3-4 days.

"If you experience allergies or asthma, it may be worth it to try cleaning your bedding more frequently to see if your symptoms improve," the Sleep Foundation said.

When washing your sheets, one should also consider the following:

1) Always read the label carefully, as not all bedding is the same. Different fabrics will need different treatments, so ensure you are always using the best specific method to get the best results

2) Pre-treat any stains before putting the sheets in the wash

3) Follow the correct cycle and water temperature as stated on the care tags. These can also be adjusted depending on the dirtiness of the bedding. Washing in colder water causes less wear and tear and will keep them in a better condition, but higher temperatures do a better job of deep-cleaning and getting rid of body oils when needed

4) Don't overfill the washing machine as sheets need room to move around in the drum to allow them to get clean

5) Avoid using tumble dryer sheets as they can make the fabrics less absorbent. Instead, use dryer balls, which "bounce around in the drum and prevent the load from twisting and bunching together", leading to better results

6) When possible, hang your sheets on an outdoor clothesline as it gives bedding "an incredibly fresh smell and lets sunlight disinfect it"

7) Ironing bed sheets from time-to-time can help to kill off any germs or mites which may have made it through the wash cycle

When it comes to your duvet, it doesn't need washing as often as your sheets, but it's always good to give it a good clean every now and again.

Duvets and pillows, meanwhile, should be washed every two or three months, the experts have advised, or at least twice a year. The mattress should also be cleaned at least once a year.

Source: Read Full Article