The disgusting reason why you should always wash your pillowcases every week

An expert has issued a warning over the cleanliness of a certain item of bedding, claiming Brits are exposing themselves to millions of bacteria colonies every night. According to mattress expert Rebecca Swain we are not washing our pillowcases often enough.

As a result we are laying our faces on a bed of “bacteria, dirt and oils”, she said.

A YouGov poll showed that the average Brit washes all their bedding once every two weeks, with 36 percent of people providing this as a survey answer.

Even more shocking is the fact that nine percent wash their sheets once every three weeks and 11 percent once every four weeks.

But Rebecca, from WinstonsBeds, said pillowcases need to be washed at least once a week.

She explained: “Our faces come into contact with our pillows everynight 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.”

According to Rebecca, pillowcases can hold around three million bacteria colonies per square inch after just one week of sleep.

“Most people will wash their bedding around once every two weeks but this just isn’t enough when it comes to your pillowcases,” she continued. 

“That's why it’s worth chucking the pillowcases into your regular washing loads whenever you get the chance.”

The actual pillows will need washing from time to time as well.

She added: “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 pillow case.

“You can do this by simply just putting them in the machine but it’s best to check their care label first.”

Lenor states that to properly kill bacteria, bedding should be washed at 60C.