Boomers Are More Likely To Follow This Bedtime Hygiene Advice Than Gen Z

Though Gen Z might not have lived through the introduction of grunge music, they seem to be taking at least one bedtime hygiene habit to a grungy conclusion. According to a poll from Amerisleep, almost one in four adults in the United States wait until their sheets are noticeably filthy or smelly before washing them (via KDAF CW33). Moreover, members of Gen Z outpaced boomers in adopting this questionable practice by nearly three times. 

When you don't wash your sheets, this is what happens: They wind up harboring a lot of unwanted gross stuff like dander from pets, bacteria, dust mites, and skin cells. As dermatologist Dr. Sean McGregor told Cleveland Clinic, bacteria "love skin so much that there are actually more bacterial organisms in our bodies than we have cells." So when all those skin cells are lying on your cotton or flannel sheets, they act like a bacteria magnet. 

And it doesn't get any better when you move beyond sheets to pillowcases. Research from Amerisleep found that there are more bacterial colonies on the average used pillowcase than on the average used toilet seat.

Pillow cleaning expert Vanessa Kraft used a stark illustration to emphasize just how important keeping your pillowcase clean can be. "The average person produces 26 gallons of sweat in bed in a year," she explained (via Better Homes and Gardens). Kraft also noted the presence of saliva and oils on pillowcases, and that having your face so close to a dirty pillowcase all night could exacerbate health concerns like allergies and asthma.

Even if you're not at risk for experiencing respiratory issues or allergic reactions, you might want to keep a clean pillowcase simply for a clearer complexion. Grubby pillowcases can transfer dirt and bacteria onto your face, causing breakouts and flare-ups. (They're one of those sneaky causes of breakouts that might surprise you.)

So, how often should you really wash your sheets? Experts generally recommend that sheets and pillowcases be washed once or twice a week, depending on how gross they become. That said, aim for more frequent cleaning if you like sleeping naked, enjoy getting some zzzs while snuggled up to your favorite pet, or regularly grapple with night sweats.