Wake up to what you’re sleeping with

WE SPEND about a third of our day between the sheets.

Over time, our bed becomes a haven for bacteria, dirt and other nasties to build up while we sleep.

According to Dr Philip Tierno Jr, the director of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University’s Langone Medical Center, your bed sheets can accumulate an array of dead skin, bacteria, fungus and mites after just one night’s sleep.

In a recent study, researchers found that feather and synthetic pillows between 1.5 and two years old can contain between four and 17 different species of fungus.

And according to cleaning guru Shannon Lush, quite a few of us are failing when it comes to keeping our linen clean.

“If you’re showering once a day, you can wash your sheets weekly,” Ms Lush told news.com.au.

“However, pillowcases should be changed every second day without fail. It’s against your face, and your hair holds more dirt than anywhere else on the body. It’s like a mop.”

Ms Lush said few people realise how much skin cells and other nasties build up in a bed over time, and recommends washing the doona every month along with our pillows.

Ms Lush said the best way to wash your doona, which can often be a challenge when attempted alone, is in the bath using a small amount of cheap shampoo.

“Stomp up and down on the doona, then rinse in the same temperature water,” she said.

When it comes to washing sheets, Ms Lush suggests you don’t pour any rice water down the sink – because that’s her secret ingredient to achieving “five-star hotel quality linen”.

“I always put rice water into the final rinse of my sheet wash,” she said.

“After cooking the rice, save that water and dilute it one part rice water to four parts regular water.

“Keep the mixture in a jar in the laundry, and add two tablespoons during the final rinse.”