Many people choose very hot washes when washing bedding, but this is not always necessary, according to the expert.
Chris Tattersall, sleep expert and Woolroom MD, said: “Washing borrowed clothes is a task that should be done once a week and can be extended to two weeks if you don’t sleep in your bed every night.
“The regularity surprises many, but it’s because sheets collect large amounts of dead skin, sweat, body oils, dirt and especially dust mites.
“Fortunately, dust mites that are common at home do not bite, but they can irritate the skin and are a known cause of worsening allergy symptoms.”
During the summer months or if you suffer from eczema, the expert recommended washing your bedding more often.
As for the washing machine temperature, Chris explained how 40C is enough for bedding.
Don’t put it on a quick wash, but instead put it on a long cycle to make sure everything gets washed properly.
This is also the ideal temperature if you have bed bugs in your home, and is hot enough with modern detergents.
Also, remember to wash pillows and mattresses regularly to prevent bed bugs, dust mites and sweat build-up.
It’s also very important to make sure everything is completely dry before you put it back on the bed to avoid mold.
The expert stated: “All the dead skin and body oil, combined with your sweat while you sleep, soaks into your bedding, making it a breeding ground for dust mites, providing them with a food source.
“[In turn, this can] causes eye irritation and runny nose, [and] therefore disrupt your sleep, which means keeping your bedding clean is essential.
“When it comes to washing a synthetic or feather/down cover or mattress protector, it takes six weeks for the dust mites to completely wash the bedclothes if they are washed at 60 degrees, so they should be washed regularly.”
As for knowing when to replace a blanket, Chris said, “You can tell if a blanket has reached the end of its life when it feels loose and thin, which is caused by the filling compressing, which in turn means the fibers are no longer able to trap air and thus maintaining body temperature effectively.
“Similarly, if the filling spreads unevenly or leaks out, it’s time for a new one. This is a problem that synthetic and down/feather duvets are much more susceptible to than wool filled ones, meaning they can last around 10-15 years, outlasting synthetic and down/feather alternatives.
