5 Serious Health Risks Not Washing Your Sheets Brings
Our beds are undoubtedly one of the favorite parts of our homes. The comfort of resting your head at the end of a long day is unparalleled. So is not getting out of your bed all weekend! For all that our beds and bed sheets endure, keeping them clean tends to be at the end of our task list.
While letting your bedsheets stay even with a few stains may seem harmless, it is anything but that. If your bedsheet is unwashed for over two weeks, you have already invited several health hazards onto yourself, your family, your pets, and guests.
This article will go over the risks of not washing your sheets and how you can reduce them. We will also cover the importance of investing in simple protective items like a mattress protector, waterproof mattress pad, zippered pillow protector, and zippered duvet cover.

Why you should wash your bedsheets, pillow covers, and duvet regularly
The intensity of contamination our bedsheets, pillow covers, and duvets absorb is
difficult to comprehend until you break it down. Before we get into the hazards that dirty sheets expose you to, let’s talk about what causes these hazards in the first place.
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Bedding soaks up your bodily fluids
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Food and drinks spill on bedding frequently
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Germs from our pets’ bodies accumulate on your bed sheets
Health Hazards When You Don’t Wash Your Sheets Regularly
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When your sheets are unclean, they invite a variety of parasites. These parasites make their way into your bedroom, on your sheets, and on your mattress. Some of these are:
- Dust mites
- Fungi
- Bacteria
- Mold
- Bed bugs
These contaminants lead to health hazards and put your family and guests at risk. The following are the most significant risks you should know about —
- Unhealthy Skin and Breakouts
- Fungal and Bacterial Infections
- Allergies and Breathing Problems
- Stress and Paranoia
- Insomnia and Sleeping Disorders
Use this Simple Two-Part Process to Create a Safe Sleeping Space for Your Family and Guests
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Now that we have identified the problems and the roots behind an unhygienic sleeping environment, let’s understand how we can tackle these efficiently so you and your loved ones can sleep in a safe, healthy bed.
The good news is, though the problem is complex and severe, the solutions are relatively simple. We have broken down the process to ensure a clean bed into two parts: prevention and protection. Both of these are essential for the best results.
Part 1: Prevention - Cleaning and Maintaining your Bed Linen Well
The goal of ‘prevention’ is to have your bed linen clean at all times. This includes preventing contamination and cleaning them thoroughly to get rid of dust and germs.
How Often Should You Wash Sheets?
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If one of the following applies to you, you should wash your sheets once a week.
- Your pet sleeps in your bed with you
- You sleep in your bed naked
- You eat meals in your bed frequently
- You tend to sleep with makeup or heavy skincare on
- You sweat a lot through the night
- If the above does not apply to you, you can consider washing your sheets once in ten days.
- If your bed is not used frequently, consider washing your sheets once in two weeks.
It is ideal to have at least two pairs of bed sheets, pillow covers, and duvets so you can swap them.
How to Wash your Bedsheets, Pillow Covers, Duvets
We suggest two ways to wash your bed linen. Alternating these washing methods will ensure your sheets are always clean while keeping the load light on you.
For a simple machine wash, you can throw your sheets into the washer as normal. Opt for hot water and a heavy-duty cycle for a good intense clean.
Fill a bucket with hot water. To this, add either baking soda and vinegar or a detergent of your choice. Soak your bedsheet, pillow cover, and duvet in this mixture for 20 minutes.
Once soaked well, the linen can be put in the washing machine for a heavy-duty wash cycle with hot water.
You can also use a dust mite denature like Demite or other chemicals to target any infestations you are currently dealing with.
This deep clean will help you get rid of any lingering germs and bacteria.
Part 2: Protection - Securing your Mattresses and Pillows from Damage
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When we speak of how much dirty sheets and pillow covers can affect our health, we are literally and figuratively just touching the surface.
The extent of damage goes way beyond the thin layers of fabric, right into our mattresses and pillow. Keeping these protected and clean is just as important as cleaning bed covers.
You must be thinking we are asking for too much when we stress the need to maintain a clean mattress and pillow covers. But in truth, achieving this is not as difficult anymore, with our favorite Bargoose products listed below.
Using protectors for your mattress, pillow covers, and duvets can:
- Offer protection from germs, bacteria, allergens, and bedbugs.
- Make cleaning easier.
- Protect your furnishings from water, food, drinks, sweat, and other contamination.
- Extend the life of your products.
Here are some products we suggest you should use.
Bargoose Mattress Protectors & Bed Covers
- BedBug Solution™ Zippered Six Gauge Vinyl Mattress Encasements
- Vinyl Mattress Cover - Fitted Six (6) Gauge Waterproof Mattress Protector
- AllergyCare™ - Organic Cotton Zippered Mattress Protector
Bargoose Zippered Pillow Protectors
- CleanAir® Allergy Relief Pillow Protector - Zippered Pillow Encasement
- 6 Gauge Vinyl Zippered Pillow Protectors - The BedBug Solution™
- AllergyCare™ Organic Cotton Pillow Encasing
Bargoose Waterproof Mattress Pads
- Deluxe Quilted Waterproof Mattress Pad
- Quilted Waterproof Mattress Pads
- Organic, Bamboo Crib Mattress Pad
Bargoose Zippered Duvet Covers
- Pristine® Luxury Duvet Comforter Cover
- AllergyCare™ 100% Cotton Comforter / Duvet Cover
- AllergyCare™ Organic Cotton Zippered Duvet Cover
Conclusion
Maintaining a clean bed goes beyond making the bed every morning. The risks having an unhygienic bed poses on your and your family’s health are real and nightmarish.
Make cleaning your bedsheets, pillow cover, and duvets regularly and thoroughly a part of your routine. Also, consider adding an extra layer of protection with mattress protectors, pillow protectors, mattress pads, and duvet covers from a trusted brand like Bargoose.
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