Even more true in cases of night sweating.
During sleep, the body releases between 200 and 500 ml of sweat, in addition to sebum and dead cells. So many substances accumulate and create an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, fungi and mites. “Pajamas are in close contact with the skin, which is naturally covered with millions of micro-organisms: bacteria, fungi, viruses” explains microbiologist Dr Primrose Freestone. These microbes feed on organic residues and produce malodorous compounds. In addition, certain situations increase the risk of contamination.
“If you release intestinal gas during the night, tiny fecal particles can contaminate your pajamas,” specifies the expert in the Daily Mail. Dead cells also feed the mites and fungi present in the dust, increasing the risk of allergies. Finally, “eating in pajamas attracts bacteria, the residue gets stuck in the fibers and becomes a real microbial feast”, alerts the specialist.
Faced with these findings, the microbiologist decides and recommends changing your pajamas every day, especially if you sweat a lot. “To be even more sure of eliminating germs, tumble drying on high heat or steam ironing are very effective..” Washing your pajamas every day is not to everyone’s taste, even for health reasons.
On social networks, this advice sparked numerous reactions as shared by the English site. “Every night it’s absurd and useless. Every 3 or 4 nights, on the other hand, it’s acceptable” says one – “If I still smell laundry detergent, I’ll put it back on, I don’t care.”adds the other.
Beyond frequency, fabric and maintenance matter. Choose natural fibers like cotton. It is more breathable, absorbs sweat better and requires fewer chemicals to wash. Choose a suitable detergent, ideally liquid, and dry the pajamas well to prevent humidity from promoting microbial proliferation.
