We’ve all got household chores we wish we could put off forever, but unfortunately there are some things that you just have to do.
If you’re one for putting off changing your bedsheets, you might find the handy guide from the experts at Reviewed useful.
It turns out that we’re all making the rather grim mistake of leaving our bedding on for more than a week, as they warn it leads us to "sleeping while surrounded by body oils, bacteria, dead skin cells, and dust mites".
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Keeping your bed clean and hygienic can help thwart germs and allergens, and has even been found to help you sleep better, reports the Mirror .
Here's what they recommend to keep your bedding in tip top shape.
The right way to wash your bedding every week
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Always read the label carefully, as not all bedding is the same. Different fabrics will need different treatments, so ensure you are always using the best specific method to get the best results
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Pretreat any stains before putting the sheets in the wash
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Follow the correct cycle and water temperature as stated on the care tags. These can also be adjusted depending on the dirtiness of the bedding. Washing in colder water causes less wear and tear and will keep them in a better condition, but higher temperatures do a better job of deep-cleaning and getting rid of body oils when needed
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Don't overfill the washing machine as sheets need room to move around in the drum to get clean
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Avoid using tumble dryer sheets as they can make the fabrics less absorbent. Instead, use dryer balls, which "bounce around in the drum and prevent the load from twisting and bunching together", leading to better results
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When possible, hang your sheets on an outdoor clothesline as it gives bedding "an incredibly fresh smell and lets sunlight disinfect it"
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Ironing bedsheets from time-to-time can help to kill off any germs or mites which may have made it through the wash cycle
When it comes to your duvet, it doesn't need washing as often as your sheets, but it's always good to give them a good clean every now and then.
It's previously been recommended to wash your duvet every two or three months, or a minimum of twice a year, to stop an infestation of bed mites.
Pillows should be washed at the same time, and the mattress itself should be given a clean down once a year.
