No matter the time of the year, there are important reasons why you should put thought and effort into reducing sickness & illness. Germs and bacteria will spread among your family members and throughout your home. And one of the simplest and most straightforward ways to do this is by keeping your linens sanitized and spic-and-span.
Though how often you wash your sheets is clearly a personal decision, there are scientific arguments for washing your bedding weekly to benefit your health. According to ehow.com and examiner.com, laundering sheets weekly in hot, 130-or-more degree water gets rid of the dead skin cells fodder for bacteria and allergy-inducing dust mites that accumulate after a few nights’ sleep. If you or someone in your family is prone to sweating, or if you’ve got a pet sharing your in bed, consider washing every couple days to rinse out dirt and pet dander. Don’t ignore your mattress pad either. Washing the pad should be done 2x per week or at very least on a monthly basis.
You should also consider cleaning pillows regularly. To ensure you’re not resting your head on a big pile of germs—you should be washing your pillows at least every six months. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when washing them. Generally you should be able to clean them in your home washing machine. With pillows made from down, adding clean tennis balls during the dryer phase will keep the feathers fluffy. Using a pillow protector with a zipper enclosure will keep the pillow protected and makes it easier to wash.
Washing blankets and comforters regularly should be on your cleanliness checklist. A comforter washing should be a monthly exercise and a duvet should be washed weekly. A front-loading commercial washing machine may be required depending on the size of the comforter. To prevent fungus or other mold from growing, make sure to dry these properly. Lastly for the bedding category, blankets can also be washed and should be dry cleaned or washed monthly.
Towels should be cared for regularly including hand towels and washcloths especially. This is because they are used to dry hands and skin that has previously had oil and other dirt. The possibility of spreading pinkeye and other disease bacteria, such as staph infection is higher with moist towels. Bacteria can grow easily in conditions presented in bathrooms, usually warm and humid. Washing bath towels weekly, and smaller, more frequently used towels even more often that that, is an excellent way to tackle the germ problem.