We all know the importance of changing your bed linen at least once a week, but according to the latest study, most of us have some pretty grim habits when it comes to our mattresses.

Apparently, a reluctance to replace mattresses and soft furnishings is leaving householders at risk of bed bug infestations and spreading bacteria in their home. A study by The Sleep Council suggests older, poorly looked-after mattresses can contain dubious levels of staphylococcus, enterococcus, norovirus and even MRSA, which can cause serious, antibiotic-resistant infections. Adults lose 285ml of fluid each night while sleeping and shed up to 454 grams of dead skin cells each year, all of which is absorbed by a mattress, duvet and pillows. Gross. A study of 1,000 adults carried out by interiors etailer Furniture123 as part of its Home Trends report, found half of respondents would have no qualms about keeping a mattress beyond the recommended seven years. Despite health warnings about bacteria in mattresses and the potential for back injuries, the same number (50 percent) said they would be reluctant to change the mattress any sooner than 10 years after buying it. While 34 percent of people are willing to change their pillows and duvets every year, one in five would be reluctant to “ever” replace or change a pillow or duvet unless they were stained, or were no longer in a suitable condition.