Are you crawling into a bed of dirty, disgusting sheets every night? It's a grim thought, but during winter, it's easy to let laundry day slide. The colder weather makes us want to stay bundled up, not strip the bed. But how often should you be washing sheets in winter? And what about your doonas and blankets?

Let's start with your sheets. While you might be tempted to stretch the time between washes in winter, experts still recommend a wash at least once a fortnight. If you have pets sharing your bed, or if someone in the house has allergies, it's best to stick to a weekly wash. Our bodies shed a surprising amount of dead skin cells and sweat, even in winter, turning our beds into a breeding ground for dust mites and bacteria. For truly clean sheets, a hot water wash is recommended to kill off any unwelcome microscopic guests.

Now for the bigger items. Your doonas, comforters, and blankets don't need to be washed as frequently. A good rule of thumb is to wash them at least twice a year, or every few months. A deep clean just before winter is a great way to prepare for the colder months.

The problem with washing doonas at home is often the size. Many domestic washing machines just aren't big enough to handle a bulky doona, especially a king-size one. To get a thorough clean, the item needs to be able to move around freely in the machine. If your machine is too small, a trip to a self-serve laundry is an easy and fast solution. You can toss 'em in a large-capacity machine and walk out with fresh, clean bedding. No more crusty, smelly sheets—just the comfort of a truly clean bed to keep you warm all winter.