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How often should the sheets be changed

The results of a fairly banal survey of 2,250 Britons commissioned by a bedding manufacturer were recently published – which nonetheless caused quite a stir.

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How often should the sheets be changed

The results of a fairly banal survey of 2,250 Britons commissioned by a bedding manufacturer were recently published – which nonetheless caused quite a stir. Even the BBC took up the issue. It was about the question of how often the bed linen and sheets are changed and cleaned. It turned out that almost half of all single men surveyed stated that they only put their sheets in the washing machine about once every four months.

Although - a full twelve percent of male singles could not really remember when they last did it. So it could have been longer. The situation is somewhat better for single women: Around 62 percent of those surveyed said they change their bed linen sets about every two weeks. Couples change their bed about every three weeks. But is that enough?

But before we quench your thirst for knowledge, let us ask you this question:

At least that is what the results of a recent and representative YouGov survey of the British population indicate. For most, the bedding and sheets are only allowed to remain on for a week or two. But there are also a good ten percent who only celebrate this ritual once a month.

After all, it's tedious: Not everyone has a tumble dryer in their house or apartment. And letting the large textiles dry on the drying rack or on the line takes time. However, if you take a closer look at all the scientific facts, you should clean your bed linen cover more often.

Yes, you've read that correctly. You're not the only one who finds your comfortably warm bed so cozy. Mites, various fungi and other microorganisms also find your old bedding too tempting. In a 2017 study, microbiologists from New York University found out that around 100 liters of sweat escape from your glands during your sleep over the course of a year. In combination with a constant body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, this is an ideal living environment for microscopic creatures, which in turn are not really ideal for your hygiene.

A high number of mites or other microorganisms can be problematic, especially for allergy sufferers. Therefore, the study authors also recommend washing the bed linen at least once a week. Of course, this also applies to the sheets.

That depends in part on your individual disposition - like how strong your immune system is, whether you are prone to allergies and so on. In the worst case, however, about three weeks of sleep in the same old, musty bedding can increase the likelihood of harmful bacteria settling there. It can also be Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which can cause everything from acne to pneumonia. E. coli pathogens are also often found in old, unwashed duvets. In some cases, this can trigger intestinal diseases, sepsis or painful urinary tract infections.

Then there are the dust mites. They prefer to feed on human skin cells. No wonder they love the bed. For allergy sufferers, they can trigger symptoms such as a stuffy nose, itchy skin and watery eyes. If you give your sheets a regular wash, you can stem their population. Vacuuming the mattress with a vacuum cleaner can also help.

If you are unsure whether you should really wash your sheets, the smell test might help you: If it smells a bit, then it is high time for a wash. In addition, you sleep much better in a freshly made bed.

You can find even more tips for sweet dreams here:

This article was first published in May 2022.

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