When to change your sheets to avoid a dust mite invasion?

If you have developed the habit of changing your sheets once a month or every two weeks, you might need to reconsider your routine…

Even if the task may seem tedious, it's essential for your health. To maintain a healthy bedding, experts recommend regular washing, meaning once a week. Microbiologist at the University of Arizona and sleep hygiene expert, Dr Charles Gerba, along with dermatologist and sleep hygiene specialist at the Barcelonan Clinical Hospital, Alejandro Ruiz, both believe that this frequency is necessary to prevent the accumulation of dust mites and bacteria. Spanish doctor Alejandro Ruiz specifies : "Changing sheets every week significantly reduces the number of dust mites and allergens in the bed, thereby improving sleep quality and general health."

What are the risks?

During your sleep, your body sheds dead skin cells, it also releases sweat and other bodily fluids, creating an environment conducive to the proliferation of bacteria and dust mites, as pointed out by the media outlet Linternaute. Bacteria can potentially cause health issues such as skin infections. Dust mites, on the other hand, can trigger or worsen asthma or certain allergies.

Are you ill? Do you suffer from allergies? Do you often eat in bed? Do you have young children?... In some cases, you might need to change your sheets even more frequently, sometimes every couple of days.

(MH with Raphaël Liset - Source: Linternaute - Illustration: ©Unsplash)