Bed sheets must be washed at 1 temperature in summer to 'kill' germs-it's not 30C

How often bedding needs to be washed is often debated, with some people washing it once a week and some people opting to leave it for longer periods. However, in the summer when the weather is warm, an expert has recommended that bed sheets be washed more often. Judith Ackers, bed specialist at Land of Beds, said: "In summer, you should probably be washing your bedding more than you are now.

"When the weather warms up, we recommend washing your bedding at least once a week. If you're a hot sleeper or have allergies, twice a week could make a big difference. Hot nights mean more sweat, oils and dead skin building up in your sheets, basically a perfect home for dust mites and bacteria."

In winter, bedding stays cleaner for longer as there is often less sweat to dirty the sheets.

However, in summer, people tend to wear lighter clothes, which means sweat and oil soak right into the sheets.

The expert said: "Your summer bedding is working overtime and needs a little extra love to stay fresh. Washing your bedding at 30°C might make your sheets feel clean, but it doesn't really shift all the sweat and oils.

"We recommend washing at 40°C. If your sheets can handle it, put them in a 60°C wash every now and then to kill off bacteria and dust mites. Just check the label first so you don't ruin the material."

If you can, air drying has its benefits, too. The sun's UV rays kill any remaining germs, and it's kinder to the planet compared to tumble drying.

However, if you have bad allergies, it's recommended to tumble dry your sheets.

The expert said: "One thing people get wrong when washing bedding is overlapping the machine.

"If it's got too much in it, your sheets won't wash or rinse properly, and you might end up with detergent left behind.

"Give them some space and they'll come out fresher every time."

It's also important to clean the washing machine every now and again to keep it in tip-top condition.