Dirty PJs: Scientist Reveals How Often You Really Need to Wash Your Nightwear
London, UK – Your bedtime routine might be harbouring hidden health risks, according to microbiologist Dr.Freestone. She warns that pyjamas, frequently enough worn night after night, accumulate skin cells, and become breeding grounds for dust mites and fungi – potentially triggering asthma attacks, skin irritation, and even lung infections.
Skin cells shed in bed provide a food source for house dust mites and fungi.As these organisms eat and reproduce, they generate allergenic droppings that can exacerbate asthma and skin conditions. Fungi also consume dead skin, potentially leading to Aspergillus fumigatus, a lung infection particularly perilous for those with compromised immune systems.
“Skin cells deposited into the pyjamas are unavoidable and will also act as food for any house dust mites and fungi present,” Dr. freestone explains.
To mitigate these risks, regular washing is crucial. However, a low-temperature wash isn’t sufficient to eliminate the bacteria thriving in night clothes. Dr. Freestone advises washing pyjamas at a minimum of 60°C (140°F), or using a laundry disinfectant if a high-temperature wash isn’t feasible.
For even greater germ elimination, she recommends a hot tumble dryer or steam iron treatment after washing. “To be even more sure of eliminating any remaining germs, a hot tumble dryer or a steam iron treatment is highly effective at killing bacterial and viral pathogens in pyjamas,” she states.
The advice extends to towels, which Dr. Freestone notes are also ideal environments for bacterial and fungal growth due to moisture, warmth, and the presence of dead skin cells. She urges immediate laundering of damp towels, or hanging them to dry, to prevent microbial breeding and unpleasant odours.
