According to scientists, bedding absorbs a lot of bacteria. When we sleep, we sweat and shed dead skin. As a result, bacteria accumulate and your sheets become a real ‘culture broth’.
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Even if we don't realize it, our sheets can retain bacteria and viruses and are far from being the healthiest and most comfortable place in our homes, despite it feeling that way.
So to sleep in an intact environment and to make sure to always have this feeling of fresh sheets, we follow word for word the advice of Michel Cymes who explains in detail the topic with RTL.
You should wash your sheets at least every two weeks
According to the doctor, you should change your sheets at the most, every two weeks, provided that you have 'impeccable body hygiene'. Indeed, even if we put on our pyjamas before going to sleep, we live in these sheets for an average of 8 hours per night during which we move, we sweat, even if we don't realize it.
The same goes for your favourite and most comfortable outfit,pyjamas, which you should wash more often than you think. You don't have to run a marathon or jump in the mud to get your clothes dirty.
We’re not going to lie, changing yoursheets is one of those chores that very few people like to do. Even if some people use the amazing technique for changing your duvet cover in under a minute.
You should also remember towash your pillows and duvet. Although you don’t need to wash these as often as your bedding, you should be doing your pillows, if they are yellow, there are simple ways to wash them. As for your duvet, however, which you should wash once every season is enough.
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How to wash your sheets to eliminate all viruses and bacteria?
The doctor advises abandoning certain bad habits that we probably all do! The first thing many do when they remove their sheets is to make a ball with our duvet cover, fitted sheet and pillowcases for the machine. Except that in the meantime, we oftenpress this heap of dirty linen against our clothes which, them, are clean!
Michel Cymes advises putting dirty sheets in a dedicated basket just after removing them to avoid them coming into contact with clean linen.
As for the washing temperature, it is better not to go below 40°C to be sure to eliminate all the impurities, bacteriaand other dust mites that are in our laundry. In a period when we are contracting the slightest virus, we can ensure that our sheets are completely disinfected by putting them at 60°C.
The materials from which our bed linen is made often support the washings at high temperatures so do not be afraid to push the temperature!
Some people should change their bedding more often
Realistically, not everyone is going to take this advice seriously. But, some people do need to be more diligent than others because well, some people are just more sensitive than others. Here are a few factors you should consider, in order to evaluate how often you should wash your bedding:
- Do you sweat excessively during the night? You definitely need to change your sheets more frequently to prevent bacterial buildup. More than once a week is probably best for you.
- Are you allergic to dust, or asthmatic? Then, your sheets should definitely be changed weekly.
- Can't sleep without your furry pet? Don't kick them out of the bed, just switch up your bedding and everything should be fine!
- Love to sleep naked? Get those sheets washed!
Now you know everything about getting a good night's sleep.
This article was adapted from Ohmymag FR.
Sources used:
RTL: 'Les conseils de Michel Cymes pour avoir des draps propres'
