Tired of changing your sheets? Dr Karl reveals how often you REALLY need to
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We all love the feeling of tumbling into bed after a long day and feeling the comfort of fresh, newly-laundered sheets against our skin. But how often are you changing your sheets, and is it frequent enough?
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, a renowned Australian scientist, thinks many of us have got it wrong when it comes to our linen-washing habits – and he's here to explain just how often you should be changing them.
In a recent video he uploaded to TikTok, Dr Karl used a simple method to break it down and showed us exactly how often we should be changing our bed linen – and just how much gross stuff we're sleeping.
‘How often are you washing your sheets? Science says probably not enough,’ he said in the clip.
In a recent survey of a thousand people, the majority of the Aussies interviewed are weekly sheet washers. About 41 per cent of the participants are ‘all about’ keeping their bed linens fresh and clean.
Meanwhile, those who wash their sheets every fortnight (37 per cent) revealed that they don’t have time to wash them more often. Then, some only wash their sheets once a month (14 per cent).
They claimed that they don’t see the need to wash their sheets often because they have high-quality sheets that don’t get dirty as often or as quickly. More details about this survey can be read here.
According to Dr Karl, humans generate about one-and-a-half grams of dead skin cells, and this can both attract and become the food supply for ‘a million dust mites’.
‘On top of that, your skin exudes oils and sweat, and then on the other hand, while you’re lying in bed, you might have a little f-a-r-t,’ he explained.
So, how often should you wash your sheets?
Dr Karl recommended changing them more often in the warmer months due to the sweat build-up getting absorbed by your bedding.
‘If you’re in a very sweaty environment and you sweat during the day and then you come home all sweaty - and then you don’t shower before you go to bed and you don’t wear pyjamas - (change sheets) twice a week,’ he explained.
However, in cooler times, and with other circumstances, Dr Karl recommended sheets once a fortnight.
‘At the other extreme - cold environment, you don’t sweat, wear pyjamas and have a shower before you go to bed - maybe every couple of weeks. The average is every two weeks.’
He also referenced a UK study that exposed people’s dirty habits. According to the survey, four per cent of people wash their sheets once a year. (We don’t know how to feel about this information).
Additionally, men who are in relationships wash their sheets once a month and men who are not in relationships wash once every six weeks. ‘Which might explain why they’re not in a relationship,’ Dr Karl quipped.
Dr Karl’s advice has been viewed more than 368,000 times on TikTok, with many viewers weighing in on the topic.
‘I thought once a week was just standard, regardless,’ one shared.
‘Whoever is not washing their sheets for a year, please show yourselves,’ another added.
Someone attempted to joke around in the comments section and said: ‘The dust mites keep me warm at night.’ But Dr Karl was not having it and replied: ‘Having dust mites can sometimes cause health problems.’
‘My mother taught me to wash them every two weeks, and that’s what I’ve always done,’ one more replied.
You can watch Dr Karl’s insightful video below:
As mentioned by Dr Karl, sheets can accumulate significant amounts of dead skin cells, dust mites, body oils, sweat, and even faecal matter – if you’re sleeping naked.
Based on research by the Sleep Foundation, dust mites can lead to skin rashes and irritation, and may worsen allergy symptoms for many people.
The experts at the Sleep Foundation also said some people should wash their sheets even more often than once a week – especially if they have pets that sleep in the bed. If this is the case, washing sheets every 3-4 days is recommended.
While washing your sheets and making your bed regularly seem like a bore, it’s still worth the effort. Even after a few days, bed sheets can accumulate significant amounts of
How should you wash your bed sheets?
How often do you change your sheets, members? Let us know in the comments!
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, a renowned Australian scientist, thinks many of us have got it wrong when it comes to our linen-washing habits – and he's here to explain just how often you should be changing them.
In a recent video he uploaded to TikTok, Dr Karl used a simple method to break it down and showed us exactly how often we should be changing our bed linen – and just how much gross stuff we're sleeping.
‘How often are you washing your sheets? Science says probably not enough,’ he said in the clip.
Dr Karl explained the science behind changing your sheets. Credit: drkarl/TikTok
In a recent survey of a thousand people, the majority of the Aussies interviewed are weekly sheet washers. About 41 per cent of the participants are ‘all about’ keeping their bed linens fresh and clean.
Meanwhile, those who wash their sheets every fortnight (37 per cent) revealed that they don’t have time to wash them more often. Then, some only wash their sheets once a month (14 per cent).
They claimed that they don’t see the need to wash their sheets often because they have high-quality sheets that don’t get dirty as often or as quickly. More details about this survey can be read here.
According to Dr Karl, humans generate about one-and-a-half grams of dead skin cells, and this can both attract and become the food supply for ‘a million dust mites’.
‘On top of that, your skin exudes oils and sweat, and then on the other hand, while you’re lying in bed, you might have a little f-a-r-t,’ he explained.
According to a scientist, humans generate about one-and-a-half grams of dead skin cells. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels
So, how often should you wash your sheets?
Dr Karl recommended changing them more often in the warmer months due to the sweat build-up getting absorbed by your bedding.
‘If you’re in a very sweaty environment and you sweat during the day and then you come home all sweaty - and then you don’t shower before you go to bed and you don’t wear pyjamas - (change sheets) twice a week,’ he explained.
However, in cooler times, and with other circumstances, Dr Karl recommended sheets once a fortnight.
‘At the other extreme - cold environment, you don’t sweat, wear pyjamas and have a shower before you go to bed - maybe every couple of weeks. The average is every two weeks.’
Dr Karl said that washing sheets every two weeks is the average for many people. Credit: drkarl/TikTok
He also referenced a UK study that exposed people’s dirty habits. According to the survey, four per cent of people wash their sheets once a year. (We don’t know how to feel about this information).
Additionally, men who are in relationships wash their sheets once a month and men who are not in relationships wash once every six weeks. ‘Which might explain why they’re not in a relationship,’ Dr Karl quipped.
Dr Karl’s advice has been viewed more than 368,000 times on TikTok, with many viewers weighing in on the topic.
‘I thought once a week was just standard, regardless,’ one shared.
‘Whoever is not washing their sheets for a year, please show yourselves,’ another added.
Someone attempted to joke around in the comments section and said: ‘The dust mites keep me warm at night.’ But Dr Karl was not having it and replied: ‘Having dust mites can sometimes cause health problems.’
‘My mother taught me to wash them every two weeks, and that’s what I’ve always done,’ one more replied.
You can watch Dr Karl’s insightful video below:
As mentioned by Dr Karl, sheets can accumulate significant amounts of dead skin cells, dust mites, body oils, sweat, and even faecal matter – if you’re sleeping naked.
Based on research by the Sleep Foundation, dust mites can lead to skin rashes and irritation, and may worsen allergy symptoms for many people.
The experts at the Sleep Foundation also said some people should wash their sheets even more often than once a week – especially if they have pets that sleep in the bed. If this is the case, washing sheets every 3-4 days is recommended.
Washing your sheets often can prevent diseases. Image credit: The Seniors Discount Club
While washing your sheets and making your bed regularly seem like a bore, it’s still worth the effort. Even after a few days, bed sheets can accumulate significant amounts of
- Dirt
- Dead skin cells
- Body oils
- Sweat
- Dust mites, including their carcasses and faecal matter
How should you wash your bed sheets?
1. Read the product label carefully to see if there are any specific care instructions.
2. Wash using the hottest water that the label lists.
3. Machine wash using a gentle detergent (any brand will do).
4. If you have sensitive skin, you may consider rinsing the sheets a second time to remove any residual detergent.
5. Tumble dry on low, or hang dry.
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Dirt is dirt, the quality of the bedding is irrelevant!
