Why you should wash your sheets more frequently (at least twice a week)

How often you change the sheets of your bed? Once a week? Every fifteen days? Or you can't even remember the last time you decided to put them in the washing machine? Maybe it's time to solve this problem of hygiene that you didn't know

Believe it or not it can affect your health. The National Sleep Foundation of the USA ('Sleep.org') advises that they be changed once or twice a week as long as there are no sweat stains, food or anything else. If you have had a disease it is preferable to change them first, buthow often should it really be done?

Surely you don't realize your own body odors so you probably do not notice that the sheets, from one moment to another, will walk out because they have a life of their own. But whether they are smelly or not, if they are dirty they can provoke you health problems like irritated skin, acne or allergic reactions. According to 'Prevention' and the expert Laura Goodman, This is how often you should do it.

You do it little

"As a general rule, you should wash them every one or two weeks, "says Goodman. That said, if you or your partner sweat, have sex, sleep naked or share a bed with your pet, you are dirtying the sleeping space more than you would if you were, for example, sleeping only. If you do some of these things mentioned above, you should try to change them more often, every die day.

Do not put a lot of detergent because it could cause a detrimental effect. The molecules of these products stay in the sheets and irritate your skin

Another note: if you are prone to acne, you may you want to clean the pillowcases more times, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). The same happens if you tend to fall asleep without removing your makeup: "Wash your hair only a few times a week or use plenty of moisturizer before bedtime," says the expert.

There is something there

Fungi, bacteria, animal hair, pollen, but also various residues of the human body (sweat, saliva, vaginal secretions, urine, skin cells … ". According to several researchers, the amounts are also alarming: it has been calculated that a medium-sized man can free up to 100 liters of sweat per year in bed and that the cushions, of feathers or synthetic, can contain from four to 17 different fungal spore species.

Every hour we shed some 200 million dead skin cells (more than 1.4 billion per night and twice more if you sleep with someone). Mites feed on them and although they do not carry any disease, their feces are one of the most common allergy triggers throughout the year. "If you don't wash them regularly, it is possible that Sneeze, have a runny nose and in extreme cases, even suffer wheezing or trouble breathing"says the expert.

As all these substances come into close contact with your skin while you sleep, a wide range of problems can arise that go from skin irritation to acne and even infections (Although we are talking about the worst case scenario). If you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema or rosacea, you are at greater risk Because your skin barrier is weakened.

You do not have time?

We live a minute, without stopping, almost asking permission to breathe. If you have your appliances within walking distance, you have an easy solution. "Save three sets of sheets for your bed and change them every one or two weeks. Have the following game ready so you don't waste much time, "suggests Goodman.

If you or your partner sweat, have sex, sleep naked or share a bed with your pet, you are dirtying more than normal

When you have time, make sure follow the care label with the specific washing and drying instructions (usually, polyester is best cleaned with warm water, while cotton tolerates hot water well). If possible, opt for a hotter temperature to kill dust mites, and, of course, remember to separate them by colors: dark or red can fade in lighter ones.

Don't put a lot of detergent because that could cause a detrimental effect. The molecules of these products stay in the sheets and irritate your skin. Remember that proper hygiene helps your health a lot.