It was an ordinary day. Reading about how often you should wash your sheets and pillow cases. Seems that everyone has a different idea. Follow along and you'll see what I mean. Every morning when a good friend wakes up, she strips her bed and chucks her sheets into the washing machine. It doesn't matter if it's a weekday or the weekend, if she has a light or a busy day ahead, if she slept well or tossed and turned all night. The sheets will be washed. "I let them do their thing, and I go make coffee feeling happy," says Libby Castle, 30, who lives in Washington D.C. "Then I throw them into the dryer before I work out. After I grab a shower and the sheets are done, I throw them on the bed and start my day knowing that fresh sheets await me when I am ready to hop back into bed later in the day. Health experts agree that Libby is onto something that could benefit all of us. Knowing that fresh sheets await you could boost your spirits straight through to bedtime. Health experts agree that there is something that most of us could benefit from by doing the same thing. Sheets, pillowcases, and comforters can harbor dirt, germs, and allergens that affect our skin and overall health. It's a buildup of all these contaminants, and eventually that could lead to skin irritation and acne breakouts. You might notice your skin feels like it has clogged pores or folliculitis which happens when hair follicles become inflamed. Or maybe your allergies, asthma, or eczema are flaring up because the dead skin cells we shed while asleep are attracting legions of dust mites. All are good reasons to make more trips to the washing machine. But what's the sweet spot for washing frequency? Experts were asked to share their preferred intervals for washing and how to do it well.
Pillowcases - You rest your head on the dirtiest spot of the bed. "Pillowcases are the landing pad for your skin, hair, and all the oils and dirt carried with them," says Jason James, who runs Dustpan & Brush, a home-cleaning service in Australia. He recommends washing them at least once a week. People who have sensitive skin or allergies often benefit from a more frequent routine, like every three to four days. To help make clean cases last longer, shower before bed. And don't forget your pillows; washing them once per season is the sweet spot, James says.
Comforter - If you use a blanket as your top sheet, it needs to be washed at least once a week. But, if your blankets and comforter are not directly touching your skin, plan on washing them every two to three months, says Kathleen Razmus, director of operations, training, and development with ZIPS Cleaners, a dry-cleaning franchise. "Dust and dirt will accumulate, so it's good to freshen it up," she says, "If the comforter is touching your skin, that's different, and you might want to make it more frequent.
Mattress - Every time you strip the bed, let the mattress breathe for a bit rather than immediately putting on a new set of sheets. "Leave it for a few hours open," James advises. Stagnant air and covered mattresses encourage dust mites, allergens, and mold spores to thrive. And vacuum it two to three times a year, says Tonya Harris, and environmental-toxins expert who wrote The Slightly Greener Method. If it smells, sprinkle on a thin layer of baking soda, let it sit for a few hours, and then cover it up.
Sheets - At a minimum, you should wash your sheets once a week. But a variety of factors call for more frequent washing. One is the summer heat, since sweat "can lead to bacteria and odor on our sheets," says Harris. Plus, allergens like pollen can travel inside with you, so washing more frequently can help reduce symptoms. It's also a good idea to wash your sheets more often when you're sick or if you sleep with pets, Harris says. In those cases, every three to four days should suffice.
Mattress Pad - People tend to overlook their mattress pads, but it's a good idea to wash them every two to three months, Razmus says. Given that it helps protect your mattress from sweat, spills, bladder leaks, dust mites, and dead skin, it can get pretty dirty. CHECK THE CARE LABEL closely; different materials call for different washing techniques.
So what do you think??? Are you prepared to wash the bedding a few more times a week, or are you just going to keep doing what you are now doing? I'm not sure what my wife will think after she reads what I just typed. We certainly don't overdo the cleanliness stuff, but than again we do make changes now and again. After reading the above information....I have a hard time believing that there are many people at all in the world who change their bed coverings as often as is suggested. My guess is that everything that was written was meant to scare you into changing your bedding more often. My wife and I might come down with a nose or throat problem a time or two each year...and we certainly don't follow what I just typed. But, now that we know better...maybe we will try to make changes more often. That, of course depends on how tired or willing we are to take the sheets and pillow cases off every so often. I guess we will have to make a better effort to change the bedding more often and see if we feel any different when we awaken in the morning. I for one believe that we still feel the same....well..... why go to all that trouble if that is the answer? Time will tell! I'll let you know how it goes! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
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