As the weather cools down, it’s tempting to wrap up in your favorite blankets, but neglecting regular care for your bedding—like comforters, pillows, and blankets—can expose you to bacteria and dust mites. Ignoring these items’ upkeep impacts your health and can reduce their comfort and functionality. Here’s how to keep your bedding fresh and hygienic.
Even though you can’t see it, bacteria and dust mites thrive in bedding. Dr. Gareth Nye from the University of Chester highlighted that pillowcases can harbor up to 17,000 times more bacteria than toilet seats within just a week. While many bacteria are harmless, mold and dust mites are the real concern. Pillows alone can contain an average of 16 types of mold and millions of mold spores.
Dust mites are another issue. Dr. Nye explains that bed sheets and pillowcases create the perfect breeding ground for dust mites due to sweat, skin flakes, and saliva buildup while we sleep. On average, a person sheds about 500 million skin flakes daily, providing a feast for dust mites.
For those allergic to dust mites, this can lead to symptoms like a runny nose or sneezing at bedtime. People with sensitive skin may also experience irritation or skin problems.
So, how should you take care of your bedding? Ideally, you should wash your bedding every 2 to 3 weeks. If you have allergies or sleep without clothes, washing it even more frequently is a good idea. Be sure to use hot water to remove dust mites and their waste effectively.
Be cautious when washing cotton comforters, though—washing them can cause clumping or hardening. It’s better to air them out in the sun and shake them to fluff them up. After washing, sun drying is essential to disinfect your bedding.
If your comforter is too bulky to wash often, regular sun exposure and a good shake will do the trick. Dust mites are sensitive to movement, and shaking your comforter can get rid of about 70% of them.
It’s also important to replace your bedding periodically. Consider a replacement when it no longer insulates well or if hygiene becomes a concern.
Over time, even with regular washing, bedding loses its effectiveness and can harbor germs. Replace your bedding when it no longer insulates well or becomes unhygienic. The timeline for replacing bedding depends on the material:
- Latex or memory foam pillows: Replace every 3 to 4 years.
- Polyester-filled pillows: Replace every 2 to 3 years.
- Buckwheat pillows: Replace every 1 to 2 years.
- Comforters: Ideally replaced every 2 to 3 years for hygiene and comfort.
Regular care and mindful replacement will keep your bedding fresh, clean, and cozy all season long.
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