WARNING: The following may disrupt tonight's sleep.
Did you know that the pillow you lay your weary head upon each night may be putting you at risk of health problems?
According to research, the average Brit keeps their bedding for two years longer than they should - which could put unnecessary strain on the neck and lead to health problems associated with dust mite infestations. (Yuk.)
"Not only are they increasing their chances of having restless nights," said Jed MacEwan, managing director of Ergoflex.co.uk, in a statement. "They’re also risking sustained periods of sleeping without an adequate level of support to the neck and head, along with various hygiene problems that may arise from dust mite infestations in older bedding."
In fact, experts suggest that pillows should be changed every two years and duvets every five. But the average Brit keeps using them for 3.2 years and 7.6 years, respectively.
The survey, which polled almost 2,200 adults, found that 82% of people do not know how often to replace their pillows and duvet.
According to results, 57% of people only think about replacing their bedding once it starts to wear out.
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Jed added: "We hope that Britons will look at the results of this study and think long and hard about the various risks they’re posing on themselves by hanging onto their bedding longer than they should – after all it’s a decision that will result in altogether healthier, better quality sleep."