How Often Should You Wash Your Bedsheets?
There are a few factors that should be taken into consideration when determining how often to wash your bedsheets. According to a survey by Mattress Advisor, the average person changes their sheets every 24 days. This is not optimal in terms of freshness and hygiene. Fortunately, there are general rules that should work for most people.
Laundry bedsheets every seven days
It's important to wash bedsheets at least once every seven days. Dirty bedding can harbor rashes, fungus, and germs that can cause illnesses. The worst case scenario is when your sheets are covered in faecal matter, which is not only disgusting but potentially harmful to your health. This can lead to infections, including Tinea Versicolor and Tinea Cruris. In addition, dirty sheets can harbor a strain of bacteria known as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is resistant to most antibiotics.
Drying sheets on low heat can reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It also protects the fibers from heat damage. High heat can make bedsheets feel rougher and tear more easily. In addition, it causes cotton fabrics to shed more lint. Therefore, if you're going to dry sheets on high heat, consider using low-heat settings. (source: dadcleans.com)
Drying them on a warm or "damp alert" setting
When drying bedsheets, it's important to keep the temperatures low to avoid over-drying and weakening the fibers. High temperatures can also cause wrinkling and shrinking. Using the "less dry" or "damp alert" setting will keep sheets evenly dried and help you avoid wrinkles and tangled sheets. It may also help to use dryer balls such as tennis balls tied into a cotton sock.
Another good rule of thumb is to wash your bedsheets once every few months. This will prevent bacteria and germs from growing on the sheets. However, if you wash your sheets only occasionally, they will get dirty much more quickly. Also, it will increase the chance of allergic reactions and weakened immune system.
Durability
The material of your bedsheets has a lot to do with their durability. While cotton is the most common material used in bedsheets, other materials are also available. Pima and Egyptian cotton have longer fibers, making them softer. Be sure to check the label of your bedsheets to ensure that you are getting one with a high quality. Also look for Lyocell (also known as Tencel), which is made from cellulose from fast-growing eucalyptus trees. These materials are much softer than cotton and are also wrinkle-resistant.
The number of threads per square inch of a bedsheet's fabric is measured in thread count. The higher the thread count, the softer the sheet will feel.
Dust mites
Dust mites are not always visible to the naked eye, but their droppings can irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions. The best way to get rid of these pests is by washing your bedsheets and pillowcases as often as possible. Here are some tips to help you get the best results from your wash cycle.
Wash your bedsheets and pillowcases at least once a week. It's best to wash these items on a hot, 140-degree wash cycle. This will kill dust mites and germs. It's also best to wash cotton sheets at least once a week. However, you should always check the care instructions for the fabric you're washing before using it.
Dust mites' life cycle
The life cycle of dust mites is complex and involves several stages. The female dust mite lays one to three eggs per day and the eggs hatch after about six or twelve days. The mite then passes through two nymphal stages. After completing these stages, the dust mite becomes an adult. The lifespan of an adult dust mite depends on the temperature and humidity of its habitat.
The average life span of a female house dust mite is 65 to 100 days. During this time, the female will lay up to 80 eggs. It also produces large quantities of excrements. Female dust mites can excrete 200 times their own body weight in excrements.
Durability of bedsheets
When buying bedsheets, you should be aware of the different types of fabrics. Most of the time, cotton is the best choice, as it is highly absorbent, soft, and durable. However, some brands make false claims about the quality of their sheets, so it is essential to read the product label to avoid buying inferior products.
Organic and eco-friendly bedsheets are also recommended. Look for the Global Organic Textile Standard certification to ensure that the sheet is made with natural materials. The certification means the entire production process is done in an environmentally-friendly manner. You can easily check whether your sheets are GOTS-certified by checking the GOTS public database.