Let’s start from a location of a bedroom. There are variety of bacteria, fungus and viruses which are present on used bedsheets, pillow cases and blanket. There Number could be from one millions to several millions in number. The varieties of these microorganisms depend on our personal hygiene, normal flora of the skin and items we expose ourselves in our daily life which has microbial load. We spend significant time sleeping; usually our bedsheets, pillow covers, and blankets have high level of microorganisms. So replacing sheets and pillow covers at least once a week is recommended. When using blankets, needs to avoid the rotation of blanket from feet side towards our face while it is in use.
We normally shed dead skin cells. Around 10 to 20 million dead skin cells are shed in one good night sleep. These dead skin cells dislodge from the skin with the normal skin flora on the bed. Dead skin cells also serve as a food for the dust mites in the bed or in the mattress or pillows. The types of bacteria usually isolated are bacteroids, fusobacteriales, neisserialis, actinomyces, clostridialis and Aspergillus from fungi. Flu and cold viruses can be present on the bed of a sick person.
Some individuals likes to have their meals in the bed and traces of food particles shed on the bed so just imagine if frequency of replacing bedsheets is very low then it is a growing environment for microorganisms hence making it extremely unhealthy condition for individuals sleeping on it.
Bedsheets, Pillowcases, blankets should be replaced every week at least and should be steamed at the before the start of their use in order to maintain the high cleanliness level. When washing bedsheets, use the hottest water wash cycle, add half a cup of bleach i.e. colour safe bleach for dyed fabrics and chlorine bleach for white beddings in order to sanitise during wash. Hottest drying cycle can also help in reducing numbers.