When washing bedding, it’s long been believed that you want to wash at 60 degrees on a long wash to make sure all the bacteria, sweat and skin cells are removed.
But one sleep expert says that actually we could all save some money by washing our sheets at a lower temperature, and still get rid of any germs.
Express.co.uk had an exclusive chat with Chris Tattersall, Sleep Expert and Woolroom MD, about the best practices for cleaning bed sheets. He stated: “Washing your bed sheets is a task that should be completed once a week, which can be extended to two weeks should you not sleep in your bed every evening.”
He added that this frequency often surprises people but it’s due to bed sheets accumulating large amounts of dead skin, sweat, body oils, dirt and most notably dust mites.
While these mites don’t bite, they can irritate the skin and exacerbate allergy symptoms. If you suffer from eczema or asthma, cleaning your sheets more frequently can help alleviate symptoms.
Furthermore, during the summer months, it’s advisable to wash your sheets more often due to the warmer weather causing excess sweating at night. Regarding the ideal temperature for washing bedding, Chris advised: “When it comes to the washing, this should be done on a regular 40-degree wash.”
When stripping the bed, it’s wise to check your mattress protector and duvet to see if they need washing or replacing.
Chris has highlighted the importance of regular washing for duvets and mattress protectors, noting that their lifespan is typically around five years, depending on the materials used. He detailed: “With duvets and mattress protectors, these have a lifespan of around five years, though this will be determined by the fibres used in your duvet.”
He warned about the accumulation of dead skin, body oil, and sweat during sleep, which can turn bedding into a haven for dust mites, potentially leading to eye irritation and a runny nose, thus disrupting sleep.
He explained: “With duvets and mattress protectors, these have a lifespan of around five years, though this will be determined by the fibres used in your duvet.”
“All of the dead skin and body oil, combined with your sweat as you sleep, is absorbed by your bedding, making it a breeding ground for dust mites by providing them with a food source. [In turn, this can] cause irritated eyes and a runny nose, [and] therefore disrupt your sleep meaning keeping your bedding clean is imperative.”
“When it comes to washing a synthetic or feather/down duvet or mattress protector, it takes six weeks for house dust mites to completely colonise your bedding if washed at 60 degrees, and therefore you should wash them regularly.”
