Let’s say you’ve had a particularly trying day at work, and all you want to do at the end of it is make some dinner, relax, and then bury yourself under the duvet and sleep like a log.

But what if I told you that the human bacteria is rife in your “happy place”? It’s a sad truth, but true all the same, that your favorite Super King sheet sets may pose a health risk.

From where does this microbe originate?

Our skin uses the time we’re asleep to replace dead cells with new ones, shedding the old ones in the process. We shouldn’t, however, limit our concerns to merely discarded skin. Thousands of different types of human cells, including skin oils, saliva (if you drool), dirt from the outside, sexual fluids, and even urine and feces, are caught in our bed sheets every day.

On top of that, the average person produces 26 gallons of sweat while sleeping annually, and in humid environments, this moisture is ideal for cultivating fungi. Any of the above can lead to an infection if you have a cut or wound that is open. Asthma sufferers may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of dust mites, which are attracted to dead skin cells.

Approximately how often do you recommend we wash our duvet covers?

All of these are reasons why microbiologists advocate weekly washing of duvets and pillowcases at 60 degrees Celsius to eliminate bacteria. Drying sheets and pillowcases in the sun has also been recommended because the UV light is so effective at killing microorganisms. Pillowcases can also be sterilized by running them through a hot iron on the cotton setting. A good local dry cleaning service is an option because it simplifies the process of doing laundry, works around your schedule, and ensures that your bed linens are free of bacteria.

Dry cleaning requires a special skill set because it employs a chemical solvent other than water; the most common of these is the highly toxic tetrachloroethylene, also known as PCE. With the toxic solvent washing through your linens like an army of germ-fighters, you can rest assured that your sheets and pillowcases will be thoroughly sterilized and cleaned.

To add to the benefits of outsourcing your laundry and dry cleaning, most modern services are extremely adaptable and can be scheduled to work around your schedule. There will be no more stress over the mountain of ironing that has been building up in the basement. Since professional laundromats know what they’re doing, they won’t ruin your expensive garments. They’ll be the ones to take care of the laundry, so you can rest assured that it will be done with the proper chemical or solvent to preserve your dress.