It’s time to say goodbye to this item in your bedroom. It might look nice, but it’s actually harmful.

As the name suggests, the bedroom is where we spend the night, but we often use it during the day too. It’s no surprise, then, that we want to make sure it has a cosy interior. Unfortunately, one of our favourite elements will have to go. These are just some decorative cushions. They’re a real breeding ground for bacteria and dirt.

Throw this item out of your bedroom once and for all. It may look nice, but it’s doing damage.

It’s a good idea to wash your bed linen at least once every two weeks. The experts say it’s even safer to wash it at least once every seven days. This is the best way to keep everything clean and hygienic. It’s pretty unusual for people to wash their decorative pillows. That’s an easy way to cause problems for yourself.

Why is it better to remove decorative cushions from the bedroom?

It’s not uncommon for decorative pillows to be left unwashed for long periods of time, which can lead to them becoming a haven for dust mites. Every time you sit, rest or even quickly lay your head on such a cushion, dust mite particles enter the air, which can lead to allergic reactions such as sneezing, coughing, a stuffy nose or itchy eyes. Long-term exposure to dust mites can also make asthma worse, especially for people who are sensitive to them.

Bacteria and mould can also build up on the surface of decorative cushions. The heat and moisture that can build up in cushions helps these microorganisms to multiply. Over time, cushions can become a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms that can contribute to infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

They look very nice, but they can be the cause of many unpleasant diseases.

One of the biggest risks with unwashed decorative cushions is how they can affect the respiratory system. Any contact with the cushions can lead to dust mites, bacteria and moulds becoming airborne, which can irritate the respiratory tract and cause respiratory problems. If you have asthma or other respiratory conditions, contact with these allergens can cause serious symptoms like asthma attacks, chronic coughing or breathing problems.

It’s not just our lungs that can be affected by dirty decorative cushions – our skin can also suffer from the negative effects of this neglect. Bacteria and dust mites come into direct contact with our skin, especially if we regularly use the cushions for resting. This can cause all sorts of skin problems, like eczema, contact allergies and redness or irritation.

How do I look after my decorative cushions?

To avoid the health problems associated with unwashed decorative cushions, it pays to implement a few simple rules:

• Regular washing – try to wash your pillowcases every 1-2 weeks. If your cushions don’t have removable covers, you can wash the whole cushions according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Ventilation – Ventilate your pillows outdoors regularly to reduce humidity and prevent dust mites from accumulating.

• Freezing – If washing is not an option, freezing pillows for a few hours can help kill dust mites.