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Not so sweet dreams

Here are the gross things that happen when you don’t wash your sheets regularly

Failing to regularly wash your sheets is downright disgusting and can even impact on your health

BE honest, how often do you wash your bedsheets?

We’re guessing, if you’re anything like the majority of us, that you’re really not doing this chore as often as you should.

 Failing to regularly wash your sheets is downright disgusting and can even impact on your health
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Failing to regularly wash your sheets is downright disgusting and can even impact on your healthCredit: Getty Images

But ignoring this task is pretty gross.

In fact, failing to regularly wash your sheets is downright disgusting and can even impact on your health – and here’s why.

Laundry expert Mary Marlowe Leverette told that when you don’t wash your sheets, masses of grim substances start to build up in our beds.

 We wonder how many germs are in this messy bed
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We wonder how many germs are in this messy bedCredit: Getty Images

What substances are these? Well if you think about it, it’s probably pretty obvious - sweat, body oils, dirt, saliva, urine, sexual fluids, and faecal matter are all prone to making  a nice germy home in your bed.

Eugh.

Mary added that if bedsheets are not washed regularly, and the sleeper has a scratch or wound, all those gross substances can end up giving them an infection.

She continued: “Athlete’s foot and other fungi can be transferred from fabrics,

“Infrequent cleaning of sheets and pillowcases allows the fluids to seep into the pillows and mattresses, and those are MUCH more difficult to clean than tossing sheets in the washer.”

 Wash your sheets every week to protect yourself from any nasties
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Wash your sheets every week to protect yourself from any nastiesCredit: Getty Images

Dead skin cells you shed and that get left in your bed can also attract dust mites - which can cause breathing problems (particularly for those with asthma).

Scarily, the longer you go between washes, the more difficult it becomes to remove all the old skin cells, mites, and various other nasties, as they become more deeply embedded into your bed.

 Sweat, body oils, dirt, saliva, urine, sexual fluids, and faecal matter are all prone to making a nice germy home in your bed
4
Sweat, body oils, dirt, saliva, urine, sexual fluids, and faecal matter are all prone to making a nice germy home in your bedCredit: Getty Images

The remedy? Wash you sheet as frequently as possible.

Bedsheets and pillow cases should all be washed every week, using hot water to kill off any bacteria.

You have been warned…