Many people are used to changing their sheets every two weeks or once a month. But experts recommend doing it at a completely different frequency.
Changing your sheets is a household chore that may seem trivial, but it is crucially important for health and well-being. Many people wonder how often it is really necessary to do it. The answer may seem simple, but opinions vary. While some recommend washing them every two weeks, others believe that once a month is enough. But according to experts, these intervals may not be enough to maintain healthy bedding. So, when exactly should you change your sheets?
Sleeping in dirty sheets isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s also potentially dangerous to your health. While you sleep, your body sheds dead skin, sweat, and other bodily fluids. These things create an environment where dust mites and bacteria can thrive. Dust mites, for example, feed on dead skin and can make allergies or asthma worse. Bacteria, on the other hand, can cause skin infections and other health problems.
Several experts, including Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona and an expert in sleep hygiene, and Dr. Alejandro Ruiz, a dermatologist and sleep hygiene specialist at the Hospital Clínico de Barcelona, actually recommend changing your sheets every week to prevent the buildup of bacteria and dust mites. “Changing your sheets every week significantly reduces the number of mites and allergens in your bed, improving sleep quality and overall health,” Ruiz said.
Some situations even require more frequent sheet changes. For example, if you are sick, it is recommended to change the sheets every other day to prevent reinfection and speed up healing. Similarly, if you have pets that sleep with you, small children, or if you regularly eat in bed, it is best to wash the sheets more often. For those who suffer from allergies, it is also recommended to change the sheets more frequently, for example every three or four days to reduce exposure to allergens.