How often should you change your sheets? This is what the experts recommend

Keeping your bed clean and hygienic is essential for a good night’s sleep and overall health. 

But it turns out you may need to change your sheets more often than you think, especially if you have a pet who loves to snuggle up at night.

According to experts, sleeping in dirty sheets can cause a range of health problems, including allergies, skin breakouts, asthma, and poor sleep quality. 

“The average person spends about 227,760 hours sleeping in their lifetime, which equates to 26 years,” Chemist Click pharmacist Abbas Kanani told the Daily Mail.

“Dirt, dead skin cells, body oils, sweat, and dust mites, including their carcasses and faecal matter can all accumulate on your bedding.

“Dust mites can live solely off of dead skin cells and reproduce quickly. If you have skin allergies that are triggered by dust mites, pollen, or other microscopic particles, wash bedding in hot water and this will help to kill off dust mites and other irritating microbes.

“They can also make asthma symptoms much worse so it is really important to keep your sheets clean.”

To avoid such issues, The Fine Bedding Company’s Head of Product Development Danielle Mason recommends changing your sheets at least once a week, and every three to four days if you have pets or allergies.

She also says it’s important to not forget about other bedding items - such as mattresses, duvets, and pillows.

“Always check the care instructions, and check whether your duvet and pillows are synthetic or natural, but we’d recommend washing them every few months if you suffer from allergies, or at least twice a year otherwise,” Mason says.

“Your sleep environment is one of the main components that strongly affects the quality of your sleep and therefore your health and mood, so ensure you wash your sheets regularly and your filled bedding at least twice a year for a good night’s sleep.”

So, if you have a furry friend in your household or suffer from allergies, remember to change your sheets every three to four days. Otherwise, once a week should suffice. Don’t forget to wash your pillows, duvets, and other bedding items every few months to prevent the spread of bacteria and fungi. A clean and hygienic bed is essential for a good night’s sleep and a healthier you.