A clinical microbiology expert has issued a warning over how often we should be freshening up our bed sheets, as she urged that it's 'more than just a question of cleanlines'.
With the busy lifestyles many of us live, changing the bed linen can often be procrastinated or totally forgotten about. And I mean, it's not exactly a fun chore is it?
But while many of us put off washing the bedding for another day, a warning issued by one expert may make you think again.
In a first-person piece for The Conversation, Primrose Freestone, a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester in the UK, explained how often we should wash our bed sheets and pillowcases.
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The likes of body sweat, oils, microbes, and dead skin cells can sit on a dirty bed, which could lead to nasty infections that are a nightmare to shake off.
Professor Freestone wrote: "Your bed may look clean – but it’s teeming with microbes, allergens, mites and irritants that build up fast. Washing your bedding isn’t just about keeping things fresh; it’s a matter of health.
"While we often focus on how many hours we’re getting, the quality of our sleep environment matters too.
"Regular laundering removes the biological soup of sweat, skin, dust and microbes, which helps to reduce allergic reactions, prevent infections and keep odours at bay," she explained.
There's also the risk of a fungus species known as aspergillus fumigatus lingering on bedding, which can cause serious lung infections in those with weakened immune systems.
According to the expert, to avoid any unwanted nasties, you should be washing your bedsheets at least once a week.
However, those who are unwell, are generally quite a sweaty sleeper, or have pets sleeping on the bed should consider placing the sheets in the washing machine more often - around every three to four days.
Dust mites, which can be found on dirty bedsheets, can cause stuffy noses and congestion, though not washing can produce more serious health implications.
A study of hospital bed linen in 2013 from the Institut Pasteur de Lille in France found Staphylococcus bacteria on the dirty sheets.
While usually harmless, it can cause acne, skin infections and even pneumonia. The latter can leave you with a ton of nasty symptoms that include struggling to breathe, coughing, a fever, chills, fatigue, and chest pain.
Another study in 2018 in Nigeria found E. coli on unwashed hospital linen, along with bacteria that could cause urinary tract infections, pneumonia, diarrhoea, meningitis, and sepsis.
Of course, very rare - but see this as a sign to get those sheets in the washing machine ASAP!
Callum Jones