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This Is Exactly How Often You Should Be Changing Your Bed Sheets

This Is Exactly How Often You Should Be Changing Your Bed Sheets

A microbiologist has finally solved one of life's biggest mysteries.

Rachel Pugh

Rachel Pugh

Knowing how often you should be washing your bed sheets can be an absolute minefield...

While some people leave three centuries between washes, others can't even get into bed without having a fresh set of sheets to dive into. It really is a debate which has been dividing people for years, and nobody can quite agree on the wash to use ratio.

Luckily, one microbiologist has now given a definitive answer on this most divisive of topics, and it looks like leaving too long between washes is just as disgusting as we first thought.

According to Philip Tierno - a microbiologist from New York University - we should ideally be popping our sheets in the wash at least once a week.

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And before you start thinking of cutting corners, I'll tell you now - just turning them over doesn't count.

Speaking to BuisnessInsider, Philip explained how our sheets can quickly become 'ideal fungal culture medium' that turns beds into a 'botanical park' for bacteria and fungus.

While a little bit of bacteria won't harm you, it can quickly build up on sheets, and within a week could trigger allergic responses.

According to research, only 28% of UK residents change their bed sheets once a week. 40% of Brits opt to wash their bed linen once a fortnight, while 24% change it up every three to four weeks.

Pexels

While that might turn your stomach a little bit, 22% of the people questioned believe there's nothing unhygienic about a monthly sheet wash.

With that in mind, I think it's about time we all went to put a wash on, don't you?

Featured Image Credit: Pexels

Topics: Sleep, UK

Rachel Pugh is Tyla's Social Editor. She previously worked as the Overnight TV & Showbiz editor for OK! Online. She started her journalism career in 2014, where she worked on the video desk for the Daily Star and Daily Express. Since then she has worked as a publisher, journalist, copywriter and social media manager on a variety of websites, with subject matters ranging from menswear to pop culture. Contact her – [email protected]

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