Doctor shares important message for those not washing pillowcases weekly

Doctor shares important message for those not washing pillowcases weekly A doctor and sleep hygiene experts have warned that unwashed pillowcases can harbour millions of bacteria colonies - here's how often you should wash them When it comes to washing our bedsheets some are more of top of changing them than others. With our hectic lives, it's a chore that can easily slip through the net. According to Dr Gareth Nye, they should be washed every week — though this largely depends on whether you share your bed or sleep alone. He told the Mirror: "The reason is down to sweat, skin flakes and the build-up of microorganisms. "People have variable sweating rates through the night, with men normally sweating less and women going through menopause sweating the most." But what about pillowcases specifically? Mattress specialists at WinstonsBeds.com are calling on people to wash their pillowcases far more frequently to boost their sleep hygiene. Despite most people giving their bedding an occasional wash, the experts warn that the same approach simply isn't sufficient for pillowcases, reports the Express. Pillowcases can harbour around three million bacteria colonies per square inch after just one week of use. This accumulation of dirt, sweat, grease and dead skin cells presses against our faces every night, potentially triggering breakouts and irritation for those with sensitive skin. The team at WinstonsBeds recommend popping pillowcases into the washing machine alongside a regular laundry load, keeping them fresh and bacteria-free without the need for a separate wash. Rebecca Swain, mattress expert at WinstonsBeds said: "Our faces come into contact with our pillows every night for eight hours and if it's not clean, it can cause skin irritation and breakouts. "Your pillow harbours a lot of built up, grease and oils from your scalp, not to mention dead skin and drool. "Those with longer locks who wash their hair around once or twice a week will find their pillowcases are probably dirtier thanks to their greasy hair. "Most people will wash their bedding around once every two weeks but this just isn't enough when it comes to your pillowcases. "That's why it's worth chucking the pillowcases into your regular washing loads whenever you get the chance. "The pillows themselves should also be washed around once or twice a year to get rid of any sweat and build-up that has seeped through the pillowcase. "You can do this by simply just putting them in the machine but it's best to check their care label first."