Nearly half of UK adults (47%) wash their bedsheets once a week, but the real shocker lies beneath the surface: 4% of Brits admit to washing their sheets only every four to six weeks, and an alarming 2% wait longer than six weeks, leaving their beds dangerously unclean.
Even more startling, 2% confessed they didn’t even realise they were supposed to wash their sheets at all.
With the average person shedding half a billion skin cells each day and sweating up to 26 gallons a year, an unclean mattress quickly becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and dust mites, anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million of them[1]. With dirt and germs silently building up over time, mattresses across the UK could be far filthier than most people realise.
| How often do you wash your bedsheets? | Respondents (%) |
| Once a week | 47 |
| Every 2-4 weeks | 42 |
| Every 4-6 weeks | 6 |
| Longer than 6 weeks | 2 |
| Wait, I’m supposed to wash them? | 2 |
Source: Mattress Online
Women lead the way in weekly bedsheet washing.
When it comes to washing bedsheets, women tend to be more diligent than men. Over half of women (53%) wash their sheets once a week, compared to 46% of men. Meanwhile, men are more likely to delay cleaning, with 45% washing every 2-4 weeks versus 39% of women.
Both genders share similar habits when it comes to longer gaps between washes, with 6% washing every 4-6 weeks and 2% going longer than six weeks. Interestingly, a small number of men (1%) admitted they didn’t even realise they were supposed to wash their sheets, compared to none of the women surveyed.
Singles are twice as likely to delay bedsheet washing by a month.
The survey revealed that relationship status also influences washing habits. Married people lead the way when it comes to cleanliness, with over half (52%) washing their sheets weekly. Those in relationships (but not married) wash slightly less often, with 48% cleaning weekly, while singles lag behind at 43%.
Singles also show a notable 9% washing every 4-6 weeks. Divorced respondents mirror singles, with 57% washing weekly but 10% waiting 4-6 weeks. This suggests that people living alone may be more likely to let their bedding hygiene slip.
Hannah Shore, Head of Sleep Science at Mattress Online, shares her top tips for keeping your mattress fresh and maintaining a clean, healthy sleep environment.
“You spend around a third of your life asleep, so it’s important to keep your mattress clean, hygienic and in good condition. It’s easy to forget to clean your mattress since it’s usually hidden underneath sheets and bedding. However, cleaning your mattress regularly can help to reduce unwanted build-up of dust, dust mites, dead skin cells, mould and bacteria.
“It’s particularly important to clean your mattress if you suffer from allergies. Regular cleaning reduces the opportunity for allergens, such as dust, to settle within your mattress”.
How to clean your mattress and bedding in six easy steps, according to Hannah Shore:
- Remove your bedding and wash it. Start by taking your sheets, pillows and duvet off the bed. Put them on a hot wash (but check the label first!). We recommend washing at over 60°C as this will help kill any germs and dust mites. Tumble-dry your bedding on high heat if you can.
- Vacuum your mattress and bed. Now that your mattress is bare, you can begin vacuuming it. Make sure the vacuum cleaner attachments are clean. Use the brush or upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, if you have one. Carefully vacuum your mattress and bed in small sections, paying particular attention to seams, corners and crevices where dust can build up. Remember to vacuum underneath your bed and down the sides if your bed is pushed up against a wall.
- Deodorise your mattress. Lightly sprinkle a small amount of baking soda over your mattress. Baking soda helps to absorb moisture and keep your mattress smelling clean and fresh. Let it sit for at least an hour – the longer, the better. Vacuum thoroughly to remove it.
- Spot clean any mattress stains. Always remember to refer to the manufacturer’s care instructions before cleaning your mattress, as different fabrics may require different methods of cleaning. However, as a general guide, Bed Advice UK recommends using a very mild detergent and warm or cold water to spot-clean your mattress. Use a clean, damp cloth and take care not to over-soak your mattress. Air your mattress thoroughly to ensure it’s properly dry before you put the bedding back on.
- Flip your mattress and repeat! Is your mattress double-sided? You’ll need to clean the other side by repeating steps one to four. However, if your mattress is single-sided, simply vacuum the underside to keep it dust-free. Not sure how to flip your mattress? Check out our guide on how to turn your mattress correctly.
- Use a mattress protector. As the old saying goes, prevention is better than a cure! A mattress protector acts as a barrier for your mattress, and it’s an easy, cost-effective way to keep your mattress clean.
For more expert tips on keeping your bedding fresh and your mattress clean, visit Mattress Online.
Sleep Magazine is your trusted UK guide to help you get better sleep and wake feeling truly refreshed.
