Cleaning the sheets is an easy thing to forget to do, but it’s more important than you might think! Even though sheets get more and more comfortable over time, they also get dirtier and dirtier.

Sleeping in dirty sheets may sound gross, but it’s easy to prevent and will have lasting benefits on your health! Our team at AFC Urgent Care Hixson highlights the importance of sheet-changing below.

Why Change the Sheets?

In a very short amount of time, your sheets can become covered with dead skin cells, oils from the skin, saliva and sweat, which makes for an ideal home for dust mites.

Dust mites are too small to see with the naked eye, but they live in your bed and live on dead skin flakes. Many people are allergic to dust mites and the other fungi, bacteria, pollen and animal dander that are commonly found on sheets and other bedding. This won’t necessarily make you sick. But in theory, it can.

Negative Health Effects of Dirty Sheets

• Can worsen acne
• Can worsen allergies
• Can cause eczema and other skin irritations

How Often Should I Wash My Sheets?

Studies show that most people wash their sheets every other week. Although this is a common rule of thumb, many experts recommend weekly washings with the hottest water possible in your washing machine.

If you fit any of the below descriptions, however, you might want to consider washing your sleeps even more frequently than once a week.

Reasons to Wash Your Sheets More Often

• You sweat a lot at night
• Your pet sleeps in your bed with you
• You sleep in the nude
• You frequently go to bed without showering
• You have an infection or lesion that makes contact with your sheets

It can be easy to forget, but regular sheet-washing is a great and easy way to stay healthy! If you are feeling under the weather, don’t hesitate to visit AFC Urgent Care Hixson today.