You could be sharing your bed with 20,000 dust mites if you don't wash your sheets this often

Keeping your sheets clean is crucial to lowering the risk of your bed becoming a breeding ground for germs.

The problem is, many of us don't how often we should be washing our linen to keep it hygienic. The upheaval of changing your sheets can seem like a chore at times and is so easy to put it off for another day, but if you don't fancy sharing your bed with 20,000 dust mites then experts say it's a job we should be doing weekly.

Dust mites can cause havoc for people with certain illnesses, especially those who suffer with allergies. Martin Seeley, CEO and sleep expert at MattressNextDay, insists that sheets should be washed "every single week."

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It's believed, on average, we sweat out a minimum of 200ml of liquid when sleeping each night, reports the Mirror.

Martin said: "Further studies show that the average bedding harbours around 20,000 dust mites which can be triggering for those that suffer from allergies."

Dust mites are notorious for causing stuffy noses and congestion, but a solid washing routine can help fend them off. Martin points out: "Given that 80 percent of dust mites are made up of your dead skin, which you naturally produce more of overnight, you should be washing your bedding at least once a week."

However, if you're someone who perspires more at night, you might want to consider laundering your linens even more frequently. Naturally, changing bedding can be a bit of a chore, but it's not something to be overlooked as bedrooms should be tranquil spaces.

When you're laundering your bed sheets, don't forget to set them on a 60-degree wash to effectively eliminate dust mites. Additionally, Martin suggests using a quality detergent to maintain its softness. And if you're thinking about tumble drying your bedding, Martin advises that you might want to rethink - instead, try to air dry it outdoors where possible.

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