There's no denying we're spending more time in bed than ever before, so the experts at Reviewed have put together a handy guide on what we should be doing with our sheets, and you've most likely been doing it wrong.
First up, sheets shouldn't be left unwashed for more than one week, as they warn it leads to us "sleeping while surrounded by body oils, bacteria, dead skin cells and dust mites."
Gross.
Apparently when we rid our sheets of these nasties, we get a better night's sleep too, so it's a win/win situation.
The experts have also provided us with a seven step guide to washing our bedding every week, which includes:
- 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.
- Pretreat any stains before putting the sheets in the wash.
- 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.
- Don't overfill the washing machine as sheets need room to move around in the drum to get clean.
- 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.
- When possible, hang your sheets on an outdoor clothesline as it gives bedding "an incredibly fresh smell and lets sunlight disinfect it".
- Ironing bedsheets 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, while it doesn't need washing as much as your sheets, it is a good idea to wash it every two to three months, or a minimum of twice a year, to stop an infestation of bed mites. Don't forget to wash your pillows at the same time!
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Now you have no excuse!
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay