Busy Britons only wash their bed sheets once every three weeks on average and one in six people (16 per cent) leave it longer than a month, according to new bedroom behaviour and sleeping habits research released today by QVC.
Home and Garden on Female First
The research may help explain why 75 per cent of British people describe themselves as sleep deprived, as experts believe that a clean bedroom is an essential part of a good night's sleep.
While only one in five people (19 per cent) clock up the recommended eight hours per night, clean sheets are low down the nation's list of priorities.
With the average turnaround time for changing sheets standing at ten and a half minutes, one in ten adults still rely on their parents or partners to do the job.
The bedroom research also reveals that less than half of the nation (47 per cent) take the time to make their beds every morning, despite the fact that the average Briton rates their bed as one of their top five possessions.
- The bedroom battle of the sexes
The bed is much more sacred to women with 56 per cent making sure they make their bed every day, compared to only 38 per cent of men. One in five women (22 per cent) admit they spend more money on their bed than their sofa.
When it comes to pre-sleep rituals, men are more likely to browse the internet in bed, with seven per cent admitting that checking Facebook or Twitter is the last thing they do before going to sleep. Whilst 27 per cent of women are reading a book before the lights go out.
One in six (16 per cent) adults still take a cuddly toy to bed with them each night, and a further four per cent sleep with the light on.
- Bad bedfellows
There's unrest in British bedrooms as 11 per cent of people admit they have considered breaking up with their partner as a result of their bedtime behaviour.
Snoring (34 per cent), hogging the duvet (14 per cent), fidgeting or kicking (10 per cent), taking over a side of the bed (11 per cent) and breaking wind (five per cent) were the main causes of nighttime annoyance.
- Sleeping out
With life getting busier and busier, over 40 per cent of us spend at least one night a week away from our bed, either with friends or family (16 per cent), crashing on the sofa (11 per cent), with a partner (nine per cent), in a hotel (five per cent) or even in the office (one per cent).
Renowned interior designer Kelly Hoppen MBE, who sells her own range exclusively on QVC, says: "Getting a good night's sleep is so important, especially with so many of us juggling such hectic lives at work and at home.
"By creating the right environment and being comfortable in your own bed, you maximize your chances of an uninterrupted sleep and give yourself a head start on the day ahead."
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