As the mercury drops, we’re all at greater risk of catching colds and the flu, which can really take the fun out of our daily lives. It’s especially important in these colder months to look after our well-being, which means keeping those bed sheets spick and span, since bugs thrive and germs are a lot quicker to spread.
While we’re in the land of nod, without realising it, we’re actually spreading germs via our saliva and skin bacteria – not great news if you’re not the only one snoozing in your bed.
James Higgins, top dog over at Ethical Bedding, has come through with some top-notch guidance on how often sickly folks should be switching up their bed gear, the bedding materials that keep things most hygienic, and has offered a bit of insight on just how long those pesky germs hang around on our sheets. He suggests: “When you are suffering from a cold or flu you should try to change your bedding every 72 hours. You don’t have to wash the bedding, but you should swap it out for fresh sheets to get rid of the bacteria that could be lingering within your bedding.”
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He further cautions: “Viruses can sit within your sheets and pillows for quite some time, and you could, in fact, pass the flu onto your partner through your bedsheets, and make it harder for you to recover too. To give yourself the best chance of improving immunity in your sleep, be sure to change your sheets and pillowcases every three days.”
And as a final tip, he says: “Finally, keep windows and curtains open when possible to air out stale air while benefiting from the disinfecting properties of sunlight.”, reports the Mirror.
Our comfy beds might be hiding cold germs for much longer than expected, though the survival time of these germs is affected by various factors such as surface type, germ type, and other environmental conditions like humidity and temperature. James explained: “It’s understood that viruses, bacteria and fungi last for shorter amounts of time on porous surfaces. Porous surfaces include any type of fabric like carpets, clothing and bedding. Although, the exact amount of time depends on the specific fabric.”
“Flu viruses were found to remain infectious on non-porous surfaces for only up to nine hours. On porous surfaces (like bedding), they lasted even less time, remaining infectious only for four hours.”
“Viruses prefer warm, humid environments which is why they often make their way into the human body through the throat and the nose. So, why do they last longer on non-porous surfaces which are generally hard and cold? ” “Porous fabrics are able to absorb moisture and actually suck moisture away from the virus, leaving it dry. The lack of moisture is what causes the virus structure to degrade.”
“This is how absorbent bed sheets are better for health than non-absorbent sheets. Having breathable bedding that wicks moisture away from the body creates a more hygienic sleeping environment. Any viruses that are introduced to the bedding will soon break down from dehydration.”
Artificial fabrics such as polyester or nylon, which aren’t very absorbent, may exacerbate the situation by creating a sweaty environment throughout the night that’s uncomfortable for humans but ideal for germs. James explained: “Standard, short-fibre cotton is better but not by much. The short fibres make the fabric less absorbent than its long fibre cousins and unable to wick away a lot of moisture.”
He went on to say: “Organic cotton is well known for its breathability and ability to wick away moisture. They typically create a comfortable, cool and dry environment throughout the night.”
Furthermore, he added: “Additionally, the semi-synthetic fabric Tencel is a favourite option for bedding partly due to its incredible breathability and comfort. The absorbency of the fabric gives it anti-bacterial properties and creates a harsh environment for any invading germs.”