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When it comes to lifes most plaguing questions, forget To be or not to be?
Getty / Elenathewise
and give How often should I wash mysheets?
its rightful time in the spotlight.
Still, there is a sheet-washing frequency experts generally recommend.
Unwashed sheets accumulate a lot of unappetizing stuff.
Exhibit A: deadskincells.
Congratulations because thats impressive, but also, you spend hours of your life in bed.
Guess where a lot of those dead skin cells are hanging out?
Where skin cells lead,dust miteswill follow.
These microscopic critters feast on your dead skin cells, according to theMayo Clinic.
Unwashed sheets (and your bed in general) are basically like an all-you-can-eat buffet to these mites.
Then theres the amount of moisture you’re able to leak all over your sheets as you sleep.
Were talkingsweat, drool, oils from your skin, and any fluids fromsexual extracurriculars.
That is, of course, unless you share a bed with someone else.
If you do, youre dealing with all of their bodily fluids and dead skin cells, too.
If you have apetthat sleeps in bed with you, they could be contaminating your sheets as well.
But what does all of this actually mean for your health?
Were not saying that sleeping on super dirty sheets is condemning you to any ill health effects.
But its also possible for it to mess with your health, primarily that of your skin.
This important balance of microorganisms is also known as yourskin microbiome.
For some people, skin microbiome changes can lead toacne, Dr. Bowe explains.
This disturbance may even inflame issues such aseczemaif your skin is really sensitive, Dr. Bowe says.
Then theres the dust mite factor.
If youre healthy, this thought is more disturbing than anything else.
Again, sleeping on wildly dirty sheets doesnt necessarily mean youll get sick.
But its still smart to wash them often, just in case.
You should wash your sheets at least once a week.
Thats just a general number, though.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
Sometimes life gets in the way, though.
Thats especially true if you dont have easy access to a washing machine and dryer.
That will help ensure that youre not putting a dirty face on a dirty pillowcase, at least.
If you want to take further precautions, making your bed daily is an excellent idea.
Then its a job left to yourvacuum.
Where theres a will (to avoid the drudgery of laundry day), theres absolutely a way.
