advice: how often should i change my sheets?

dear asking for a friend,let’s talk sheets. i am so bummed by the pandemic that i am trying to salvage what joy i have in my life by doing the bare minimum of chores around my place. i am still cleaning, and stuff — don’t get me wrong, i am not gross — i am just not spending as much time on detailed cleaning as i was pre-pandemic. like, my bed sheets, for example — i don’t think they need a whole lot of washing. but here’s the thing, a friend told me that bed sheets should be washed at least once a week to kill unseeable bugs and get rid of the dead skin. plus, a dirty pillowcase can cause acne? eww. is this true?signed, unwashed sheets dear unwashed sheets,when it comes to dirt and bacteria, less is more.according to experts, your bed sheets may contain everything from dust mites, dead skin cells, sweat and saliva, particles of fecal matter if you sleep naked, and bodily fluids from sexual romps. if you have a pet who likes to jump up on your bed, tiny flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs or other animals, can also end up on your sheets and may trigger allergy symptoms.there are a lot of germs on the human body — about 1,000 species of bacteria, according to a report by the national sleep foundation, so washing your bed sheets at least once a week is recommended to avoid the buildup of all the gross stuff that may accumulate on the fabric.plus, science has proven that with the weekly upkeep, you can significantly reduce the levels of dust mite allergens in your bedroom when you wash your sheets in hot water as high temperatures can help destroy the presence of bacteria and microorganisms.but having less germs in your environment is not the only benefit of bed hygiene.clean bedding can also lead to better rest, according to one poll where roughly 85 per cent of participants reported improved sleep on fresh sheets, and 73 per cent of those surveyed revealed an overall improvement in their love life. and the health benefits of cleanliness extends further than just the bedroom.according to psychologists, a clean and organized home is good for our mind and body – people  with cleaner houses experience better overall health and they are more physically active. similarly, a 2009 study revealed that women who live in clean and tidy homes experience lower levels of stress.that said, not everyone is keeping up with regular washing, according to one survey that found about 35 per cent of people wash their bedding every few weeks, with 26 per cent admitting to doing so only once a month or even less frequently. single men revealed that they change their bed sheets only four times a year, according to another report, and 17 per cent of those surveyed admitted that their unwashed sheets turned off romantic partners.think about your skin
if you wash your bed sheets less frequently and you suddenly find yourself experiencing stubborn breakouts, the dirt and oil that sits on the surface of your bedding might be to blame.“it is possible that overgrowth of bacteria from unwashed sheets and pillowcases can lead to exacerbation of acne as well as eczema,” says dr. ben barankin, dermatologist, medical director and founder at the toronto dermatology centre.some experts suggest that preventative measures, such as keeping up your nighttime skin care routine and washing your pillowcase every two to three days may help minimize breakouts and improve your complexion. by the way, harsh or scented detergents, including fabric softeners, are not recommended as they “may leave behind a waxy residue and clog your pores.”clearly, bed hygiene should not be ignored. you mentioned that “you weren’t gross.” i’d say that not cleaning where you sleep, well, pretty close. is there something about health that you (or a friend, wink, wink) have always wondered about, but are too embarrassed to ask? send a note to info@healthing.ca. we promise your ‘friend’s’ secret – and identity –  is safe with us.don’t miss the latest in health. subscribe to healthing’s daily newsletter here.