With a million things to do in a day, from making it to the gym before work to squeezing in some wine and Netflix before bed, who has time to make the bed every day, let alone wash their sheets every week?

If you're guilty of letting too much time pass before washing your bedding, you might want to reconsider skipping that chore. Because if you don't, and you find yourself sleeping on dirty sheets night after night, you're going to have to deal with some seriously icky side effects.

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1. Breakouts

Pass out with your makeup on too many nights in a row? You're doing a disservice to your face (think dry skin, early signs of aging, inflammation, and —fun! — infections) and your bed. "Not only will you get stains everywhere, but bacteria can start to build up in the fibers, which can cause annoying whiteheads and patchy pimples, or exacerbate already existing acne — even if you have cleaned your skin," says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, director of Capital Laser and Skin Care. Tanzi suggests washing your face and body with a good cleanser before bed in addition to washing your sheets every seven to 10 days.

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2. Skin Irritation or Eczema

"In addition to attracting bacteria, dirty sheets rub against your skin while you sleep — and that friction can lead to skin irritation," says Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a NYC-based dermatologist. Self-treating with greasy ointments or heavy creams can actually add to the problem, because those products are harder to absorb and will transfer to your linens, where they'll stay even longer, putting you at risk for more bacteria. If you need to treat a skin condition like eczema, Zeichner advises speaking to your dermatologist about medications that won't rub off and can be quickly (and fully) absorbed, so as to not worsen the germy wasteland that is your bed.

3. Fungal or Bacterial Infections

All those night sweats don't just evaporate, you know — in fact, sweat is just one reason beds can be prime places for fungi to grow. One type of mold, Cladosporium, grows on damp mattresses and can lead to asthma, pneumonia, and a fungal infection called Onychomycosis, which can cause skin lesions and crumbling toenails (vom).

Even worse, "several icky infections or rashes can be transferred through dirty bedding, such as Tinea Cruris (a fungal infection that affects the skin on the genitals, inner thighs, and buttocks — AKA jock itch), Tinea Versicolor (a fungal infection that causes small, discolored patches of skin), or the tough-to-treat 'super bug' Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, caused by a type of staph bacteria that's resistant to most antibiotics," says Cricco.

A study executed by mattress company Amerisleep this past August revealed the nightmare-inducing statistic that sheets left unchanged for even one week have 24,631 more bacteria than a bathroom doorknob. BRB, throwing a load of linens in the laundry. Right. Now.

4. Dust Mites

The pesky mites — which are part of the spider family and feed on flakes of skin that you can shed in your sleep — accumulate in any location that isn't regularly cleaned. In fact, there are probably around 1.5. million in your bed each night. And they'll leave their mark, in the form of welts on your neck, face, arms, and upper body, or problematic and tough-to-cure breathing issues. The longer you wait between washings, the harder it is to truly get rid of mites — or, even worse, bed bugs. Wash regularly, says Lu Xiong, co-founder of sustainable bedding brand Flaneur, "and remember to store linens in a cool, dry place away from moisture and light to avoid any bacterial build-up."

5. Allergies

Unsurprisingly, bacteria and dust mites can cause or worsen allergies, targeting a weakened immune system."The three main things you want to avoid on your bedding are dust mites, mold, and mildew, since they activate allergies or worsen existing ones," says Dr. Carl Cricco, co-founder of the snuggL, a new L-shaped pillow that helps prevent back pain. Invest in bedding made from hypoallergenic materials, which wick away warm moisture so mold and mites can't breed. Washing your linens will kill any bacteria that's already on them, but make sure to replace synthetic pillows every two to three years and a down or feather pillow every five to six years so bacteria or bugs don't have a chance to build up. You can also wash most down or synthetic pillows as well — just make sure to check the care label before doing so.

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