There are few things more pleasant than climbing into a soft bed with freshly washed sheets. And there are few things more unpleasant than climbing into a strange bed and noticing the acrid smell of sheets that haven’t been changed for days. But how often should we wash and change our sheets?
Why used sheets smell bad
You might think that sheets smell bad because of sweat, but this is only part of the cause. Our body is shedding dead skin cells, which also make up 20 to 50% of the dust that accumulates in the home.
Then there are the fluids. During sleep, we still sweat, and body oils are released, produced by the sebaceous glands in our hair and follicles. By examining sheets under a microscope, it is possible to find saliva, urine, genital fluids and fecal matter between the fibers.
Mattresses should be replaced within 10 years of use. It is estimated that over the course of eight years a mattress can absorb enough liquid from our body to fill two bathtubs, and absorb about five kilos of dead skin. Every year, a person produces 100 liters of sweat that accumulate in the bed.
All of this body waste is a feast for microscopic organisms. The moist environment generated by sweating at night is ideal for the growth of bacteria and fungi. This means that if the sheets are not washed regularly, and the bed occupant has a scratch or wound, it is easier for the bed to become infected. Athlete’s foot and other fungi can be transmitted through the fabric of the bed.
Dust mites, tiny arachnids, feed on dead skin cells and also feel at home in warm, humid environments. Their feces become part of the dust. Mites can cause a number of health problems, especially in people with allergies or asthma, causing sneezing, nasal congestion, watery and red eyes, and itchy nose, throat, or skin. In addition, in people with asthma, exposure to dust mites can aggravate asthma symptoms, causing shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.
Even if you shower before bed, your body is still producing and releasing all these substances while you sleep, which are transferred to your sheets, leading to stains and bad odors. When we leave our sheets and pillowcases on for too many days, this allows fluids to penetrate our pillows and mattresses, which are much harder to clean than sheets, which go in the washing machine.
Bed sheets can collect dust particles and other airborne contaminants, even in a clean environment. If you have pets, they can also leave hair, dander (dead skin cells), and other debris on your bed. Added to this are traces of cosmetics people use on their skin, pollen, and food leftovers from those who eat in your bed.
In a recent study In a study that assessed the level of fungal contamination in bedding, researchers found that down and synthetic pillows between 1.5 and 20 years old can contain between four and 17 different species of fungi.
How often should you change your sheets in winter and summer?
According to New York University microbiologist Philip Tierno, the accumulation of fluids and dead cells in the bed begins to be significant between one and two weeks, so sheets should be changed at least once a week. This recommendation is also insisted upon by the authors of a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. After analyzing thousands of homes in the United States, researchers discovered that more than 90% of them had at least three allergens detectable in their bedrooms.
In any case, the frequency with which you need to wash your sheets varies depending on several factors, including your personal habits, health conditions and the climate.
For most healthy people, the recommendation is to wash sheets once a week. This frequency helps reduce the buildup of dust mites, dead skin cells, and bacteria. People with allergies or asthma may need to wash them more frequently, even twice a week, to minimize exposure to allergens.
In winter, if you sleep alone and shower before bed, you could extend the washing of sheets to every two weeks. However, this is not recommended if you want to maintain good hygiene.
In summer, hot and humid climates, or if you sweat a lot at night, it is advisable to wash your sheets more often due to the buildup of sweat and moisture, which can encourage the growth of fungi and bacteria.
If you are sick, especially with contagious diseases, it is important to wash your sheets more frequently to prevent the spread of germs. Also, if you live with dogs or cats that sleep in your bed, it is advisable to wash your sheets even more frequently, since animals can bring more dirt, hair, dander and parasites into your bed than their owners.
Source: www.eldiario.es