Are Your Sheets Making You Sick?

It’s probably safe to say we’re all a lot more aware of our personal hygiene these days. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, handwashing and general sanitation are at a premium, whether in public or at home.

But once your day is done and you’re tucked into your bed, you're in your safe space. You should be okay, right? Unfortunately, that's not necessarily the case. Our beds are just as much a potential danger zone for infection and allergens as walking in a crowd without a mask.

 If you’re not washing your sheets every week, you may be sleeping in a playground for fungi, bacteria, pollen, and dust mites.

Even when you’re clean, while you sleep at night, your body sloughs off dead skin cells, oil, saliva, and sweat. All of that combined becomes a breeding ground for those dust mites and other allergens. You can also transmit and contract infections through soiled bed linens.

So, what can you do? Wash your bedding, including blankets and duvets, in hot water. The hotter, the better. Many washing machines have a sanitize setting that will do the job. And don’t forget your pillows. All your pillows should be replaced at least every year or two. Use a pillow protector to limit dust and bacteria from accumulating directly on the pillow.

Follow these simple steps to prevent your sheets from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and pathogens. Your sheets will stay clean, and your bed will be the place to get that all-important sleep you need to feel and perform at your best.

Who is Dr. Erik Korem

Dr. Erik Korem is on a mission to help people learn how to use stress to perform at their best – professionally, personally, and in any domain. It’s about being adaptable. He has spent the past 15 years working as a Sports Scientist and High-Performance Director in the NFL and major college and Olympic athletes. Today, he is an expert and thought leader in high performance who teaches others to be at their best without burning out or stressing out.