Daily Fit 06/20/2019: Your Sheets’ Dirty Secret

your sheets' dirty secret

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Health Tip Of The Day: Wash your sheets and pillowcases every week for proper hygiene and better sleep.

It’s one of those things that no one ever thinks to ask: How often should I change my sheets? It’s not like you’re doing a workout in them, right? So you can put it off until next week… or the week after that. As it turns out, you should be washing your sheets more often than you think and for some pretty good reasons.

Why it’s important.

Each night, your sheets are exposed to the dirt, grime, lint and pollen that you accumulate from your everyday environment. Even if you shower right before bedtime, your sheets still get exposed to other bodily elements that you naturally discharge at night — like sweat, saliva, mucus, skin cells and other unmentionables (gross, we know). All of these substances build and accumulate on your sheets when you don’t wash them, so it’s probably best that you throw those babies in the washing machine at least once a week. Bonus: we bet you’ll sleep like a baby in freshly cleaned sheets!

But what if you don’t have time?

Although washing your bedsheets weekly may sound daunting if you’re strapped for time, keep in mind that blankets, comforters, pillows and other bed accessories don’t necessarily need to be washed weekly. All you need to worry about washing or changing on a weekly basis are your sheets and pillowcases. Plus, there are a few things you can do to clean your sheets more efficiently and extend their life.

If you want to disinfect your sheets — like after you get sick or if it’s been an especially long time since their last wash — use hot water to kill any bacteria. Don’t use hot water if you have any stains, however, as this will just set them into the fabric. In that case, just use cold or warm water. When your sheets get to the dryer, use the low heat setting. High drying temperatures can put a lot of stress on the fabric, so using a cooler setting (but with a longer cycle) helps them last longer. Click through for more tips and tricks to keep your sheets ultra soft and squeaky clean this summer. [The Active Times]

Did You Know?

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