How often should you change your sheets?
A handy tool has been developed by Happy Bed to give you the answer.
The Bedding Calculator asks you 10 quick questions to show when it's time to buy a new duvet and pillows.
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Those with allergies may want to be more vigilant about having fresh bedding.
And lifestyle factors, including if you sleep naked or go to bed without showering, can also impact how quickly you need to make a change.
According to RSVP Live, the pros also have advice on when to wash your sheets too.
Duvet covers, sheets, pillowcases and top sheets should be washed at least fortnightly if you shower before bed and slip into pyjamas.
But if you sleep nude, have skin problems and don't bathe before bed, it's advisable to put a wash on more regularly.
Disturbingly, research shows a third of the weight of your pillow could be due to "dead skin, dust mites and bugs".
So to prevent this, the experts recommend washing your pillows every three months on a hot wash to kill bacteria.
Similarly, duvets can provide a home for 20,000 dust mites.
You should wash them at least once annually to prevent critters, dead skin cells and bacteria from building up.
When it comes to mattress protectors, stick them in the wash every two months to protect your mattress.
Mattresses can be regularly disinfected with upholstery cleaner and a hoover.
Rex Isap, the CEO at Happy Beds, said: "Sorry to shatter the illusion that your bed is this glorious cosy, fresh place, but your bedding is often filled with sweat, dead skin and dust mites. In case you don't believe us, a study in 2022 saw volunteers swabbing their sheets over four weeks. In just four weeks, a pillowcase was found to have 39 times as much bacteria as a pet bowl, whilst sheets have 5.4 times more bacteria than a toothbrush holder. If that doesn't make your skin crawl, then we don't know what will!
"As if that's not horrifying enough, the statistics that show how often people in the UK wash their bedding makes for some alarming reading; another study, 62% of single women changed their bedding every two weeks, compared to only 29% of single men and 17% of people in relationships.
"Alarmingly, 45% of single men only changed their sheets once every three-to-four months. Imagine how much sweat and dirt has accumulated after that long! Now it's clear why we needed to create the Bedding Calculator."
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