24 February 2024 , 17:00
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Be honest, how often do you wash your bedding? It's a task that can fall by the wayside, especially if you're living alone, but experts are warning of the nasty consequences if you leave it for longer than a week.
Mattress gurus at WinstonsBeds have claimed you should be switching your sheets up every week so you avoid a build-up of dead skin, grime and breakouts on your skin.
Shockingly, only 28% of Brits change their bedding frequently, meaning 72% of people do not - despite us being in bed for an average of 56 hours in one week.
Failing to switch your sheets can cause a build-up of dead skin cells, meaning that dust mites can take hold in your bed.
And accumulating sweat and oils can clog pores, meaning that breakouts can occur over the body, and of course, the face, reports Teesside Live.
Cleaning guru shares why you shouldn't make your bed first thing in the morning
Rebecca Swain, mattress expert from WinstonsBeds, said: "Spending all of this time in the bed leads to a build-up of sweat, dead skin cells and other bacteria which is why it's important to wash your bedding once a week if possible.
"It's shocking to hear how little people wash their sheets which is why we've shared five unpleasant things that can happen if you sleep in the same bedding for too long. Not only can you ruin your bed but this may also make you more prone to breakouts and acne over your body as well as triggering your allergies."
So, by washing your sheets regularly, what are you avoiding?
Ruined sheets
Allowing sweat and saliva stains to go unwashed will make them almost impossible to remove, and if you want your bedding to look good, you'll need to replace it.
Skin breakouts
The accumulation of skin, sweat, and oils is a breeding ground for bacteria which can clog the pores on your body and face leading to more breakouts and acne. This can also irritate skin conditions like eczema meaning you feel itchier and your skin is irritated.
Triggering allergies
Dust mites and other bacteria can trigger those with allergies and asthma. People who are particularly sensitive may find that breathing in these allergens leads to coughing and congestion the next day.
Skin cells and dust mites
When you fail to wash your bedding, dead skin cells from your body begin to build up on the sheets. Dust mites feed off of dead skin cells making this the perfect environment for them to thrive.
Damaged mattress
Leaving stains can also damage your mattress, as not allowing the mattress to breathe and air out can trap bad odours and bacteria, which is unhygienic - and looks bad.