We all have secrets. We all have deep-rooted immense shames that we’re too afraid to share with the world. It’s part of being human and creates a sense of unspoken unity between us all.
Putting your Spotify on private mode every time you listen to the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Deleting your YouTube history after spending hours in an Avril Lavigne conspiracy theory rabbit hole. Eating spoonfuls of peanut butter as a meal. We’ve all been there.
Then, there’s lying about how often you change your bedsheets.
There isn’t a question/topic that sends earthquake-level shivers down my spine quite like it. Every time the topic seems to come up, there’s always a person around who confidently admits to being organised (and bothered) enough to changing them weekly without fail because it’d be ‘disgusting’ not to. I truly believe these people have other skeletons in their closet, but anyway.
Why do we continually deny ourselves the pleasure of changing our sheets? We’re all well aware that there’s no better feeling in the world than slithering into a bed freshly donned with crisp linen, inviting you into a peaceful, uninterrupted slumber.
Why? Because we’re lazy. Simple as that. Even though we are all well aware of how unhygienic it is, we’re willing to put our own cleanliness on the line because we simply couldn’t be stuffed. I think we also let ourselves get away with it because we know everyone else does it too. On paper, the thought of returning home after letting the germs of the world stew on your body and collapsing onto your bed sounds awful. This, on top of indulging in a bedside midnight snack here and there, having pets come around for a cuddle and more can leave a hefty brew of germs festering on your linen.
Have I made you guilty enough yet? I’m not finished, sorry!
Why should you change your sheets?
Here’s a basic rundown of what happens when you don’t change your sheets for an extended period of time:
- Unclean bedding can grow mould and contain fungi that promote the growth of conditions like tinea or ringworm.
- Dust mites love to feast on the dead skin cells we leave behind – dirty bedsheets = more dead skin cells and therefore more dust mites.
- We shed about 500 million skin cells a day and produce around 100L of sweat per year – that all gets soaked up in your bedsheets.
- Given we’re currently in the midst of a ~pandemic~ too, it’s never been more important to keep your house clean and free from germs, and keeping your bed linen in tip-top shape is part of that.
Head of Cleaning Training at Urban Company, Reta Walker, weighed in on the sitch further telling PEDESTRIAN.TV that, “in Summer, where the heat can contribute to growth in bacteria, and where our bodies sweat more at night, we advise changing your bed sheets on a weekly basis, at minimum.”
Yuck. Yuuuuuuckccckck.
How often should you change your sheets?
Okay, so there’s no hard and fast rule as to how often you should specifically change your sheets. The ~blanket~ recommendation is 1-2 weeks, but, different factors will determine just how dirty your sheets get. So, things like whether your sleep nekked, whether you shower before bed, whether you’re a sweaty sleeper or whether you host dick appointments in there regularly will impact how often you change your sheets, got it?
Let’s also not forget about pillows and quilts, because they require TLC too. Pillows should get a wash a few times a year, whereas your doona should get a wash at least once a year.
If you’re currently sweating about the lack of cleanliness in your room right now, then change your sheets the second you get home. Your hair, skin and brain will thank you. Put a reminder in your phone to buzz you if you need. If you’re too busy, you can suss out services like Urban Company too, that’ll hook you up with a myriad of cleaning services to get you sorted. All you have to do is download their app, and select the type of service you’re after, in which you’ll be matched with a myriad of quality-controlled cleaners in your area that can be conveniently booked to spruce up your home in a jiffy. There’s no excuse now, soz.
