NatNews

It’s not uncommon for people to describe their lives as being “busy,” and there are often chores and tasks that take the backseat to other activities and priorities. Perhaps one of those tedious adult responsibilities is changing one’s bedsheets, and not everyone agrees on how often doing so is necessary.

According to NatNews research, of the individuals who participated in a recent online poll, 51 percent wash their sheets at least once per week, 40 percent do so biweekly or monthly (or something in between), 6 percent don’t wash them that often or don’t keep track, and 4 percent felt the question was too personal to answer.

Health professionals advise people to wash their sheets either weekly or every other week, as dead skin, bacteria, dust mites, bodily fluids, and other undesired guests sleep with you on a regular basis. Dallas-area resident Nikki East has four sets of sheets for her bed so that the laundry process is easier.

“Technically, I change my sheets weekly, but I may not wash the used sheets until I have two sets to wash,” she said. “I do wash my comforter weekly, though. As to why, it’s simple: dust mites love dead skin cells, and dust mites can flare up ye ol’ allergies. And it just feels nice to crawl into clean sheets.”

For these and other reasons, East said she believes that it’s important for individuals to ensure that they wash their sheets on a regular and consistent basis.

“In addition to the dust mites point, sheets can collect a variety of grossness, including drool, sweat, and dog dander, and let’s not forget any remnants of the horizontal mambo,” she said. “I also wash couch pillow covers and blankets routinely.”

Like East, Dallas-area resident Megan Burke makes sure to change her sheets often and said every five to 10 days is the only acceptable answer to how frequently one should do so.

“I personally change my sheets weekly,” she said. “I also have two 90-pound dogs, Moose and Rocco, who think they are human. On occasion, I change them more often if, for example, I spray tan and have to let myself marinate overnight. Then the sheets just get that weird smell and discoloration (any pale girl will understand this struggle).”

Burke also has multiple sets of sheets (three in total) to allow for easy rotation and said she has begun incorporating a linen mist refresh into the routine.

“I personally love the brand and scent from Target Being Frenshe — Palo Santo Sage,” she said. “The palo santo has an earthy and fresh scent that provides a relaxing environment, and the sage helps ward off any demons from getting up into my bed.”

While Dallas resident Craig Borkenhagen may not throw his sheets in the washing machine as often as England and Burke, he still makes sure to do so on a regular occurrence.

“I wash my sheets every two weeks because, to me, it’s a big pain, and I would just hate to do it every week,” he said. “And anything longer starts to get gross.”

Borkenhagen also thinks this often-dreaded chore is a necessary part of adulting that needs to happen consistently.

“We aren’t as clean as we think we are, so every time you use your sheets/sleep in your bed, you’re getting them dirtier than they used to be.”

While making one’s bed occurs when putting fresh sheets on it, it’s a different kind of daily chore that doesn’t involve germs and bacteria. However, some individuals believe that it’s a wise form of discipline to practice every day. In his University of Texas at Austin 2014 Commencement Address, U.S. Navy Admiral William H. McRaven said making the bed starts the day by accomplishing a task, which then encourages you to achieve another and another, and enforces the fact that little things matter. Ultimately, he concluded his thoughts on this matter by saying “if you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.” Burke said this is a task she tries to do daily.

“Emphasis on try,” she said. “I get into kicks when I’m excellent about doing it. However, I’ve been known to hit the snooze button.”

East also makes concerted efforts to make her bed every morning, though she said she only started this practice earlier this year.

“Historically, I didn’t really make my bed aside from sheet-change day because no one sees it, and I just had to unmake it each time,” she said. “But now, I’m more of the mindset of it being a productive start to the day. I’m not sure I’ve really seen a boost in productivity throughout the day since starting it, but I’m still going to make the bed most days.”

Not everyone sees making the bed daily as a task that makes sense, though. Borkenhagen said he hardly ever prioritizes this task.

“It’s another one of those chores that I just hate doing, so unless I’m giving a tour of the crib (I never am) or trying to impress someone (I’m not), there’s no reason to,” he said. “It’s just going to get slept in again, anyway.”

There are always exceptions, though.

“I’ll make the bed if I crash at a friend’s place or something,” Borkenhagen said. “That’s just courtesy.”

Thomas Edison is known as the “Wizard of Menlo Park” because of the groundbreaking inventions he made in his famous laboratory he established in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Thanks to a man by the name of John Neely Bryan, who settled on the east bank of the Trinity River in 1841, Dallas officially became a town in 1856 and was upgraded to a city in 1871. Since then, the ninth-largest city in the U.S. has seen a significant amount of growth and moments that have marked history.

Dallas is home to several historical attractions, including Founders Plaza, the Bath House Cultural Center, the Degolyer House and Gardens, Freedman’s Cemetery Memorial, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza (and the Grassy Knoll), and the Texas Theatre.

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade in downtown Dallas during his campaigning trip. Located in the historic Texas School Book Depository building (determined as the building from which Lee Harvey Oswald shot JFK), the Sixth Floor Museum examines the life of JFK, the life of Oswald, the timeline of that fateful day, and conspiracy theories pertaining to the assassination. Dallas-area resident and high school social studies teacher Megan England grew up in a local suburb and appreciates opportunities to be able to learn about such momentous events of the past.

“I have been to the Sixth Floor Museum several times,” she said. “I love history, and this is a very thorough and amazing museum.”

Dallas-area resident Steve Bergsman is also a history buff and said he loves visiting historical landmarks. He said while Dallas doesn’t offer as many such places as cities like Boston might, he still has found opportunities to explore local history.

“I’ve been to the standard Dealey Plaza and Book Depository,” he said. “I also took my parents to Southfork Ranch since my mom was a big fan of the TV show Dallas back in the day. I’m not sure that counts as a historical landmark, though. I really need to make an effort to go see more things. I would love to check out the Bonnie and Clyde stuff.”

As Bergsman’s examples indicate, the Dallas area offers attractions that are not only known locally but also on a national level. Southfork Ranch, located in Parker, Texas, is not only historic for being the setting of the show Dallas, but it now also serves as a venue for special events and meetings. Dallas offers a historic tour regarding Bonnie and Clyde, who have roots in Dallas, though Clyde’s childhood home at 1221 Singleton Blvd. was demolished in 2022. However, there are many residents throughout the metroplex who have never visited such places—and likely others who don’t even know they exist.

“I think history is important and very interesting,” Bergsman said. “I don’t prioritize DFW’s history like I feel I should.”

England said she grew up knowing the history of Dallas and gained historical knowledge about other surrounding towns and cities organically as she learned about them in school. When England visits other cities, states, and countries, she enjoys paying specific attention to and visiting known sites that have historical impact and meaning.

“This is actually a priority for me when I travel,” she said. “I tend to ‘travel’ versus ‘vacation,’ as I travel for experiences and knowledge rather than going to relax.”

Similarly, Bergsman said visiting historic landmarks and sites in other cities is one of the best parts of traveling.

“I love getting to see something where something of profound significance once occurred,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to reflect and really consider what all of this means to you and how this event has consequently shaped your life.”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

The NatNews staff and some dear readers enjoyed celebrating our IT Department and Halloween together

Monday, October 28: Mavs vs. Jazz at the American Airlines Center
Tuesday, October 29: Free Rooftop Movie — Hocus Pocus at Sundown at Granada
Wednesday, October 30: Jack and Jill Costume Competition at Cowboys Red River
Thursday, October 31: Trick-or-Treat on Downtown Streets at Main Street Garden Park; Dallasites101 Chills & Thrills Halloween Party at the Echo Lounge & Music Hall
Friday, November 1: Cory Morrow at Legacy Hall; Greek Food Festival of Dallas 2024 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (also Saturday and Sunday)
Saturday, November 2: WRRC Saturday run from Taco Joint; SMU vs. Pittsburgh at Gerald Ford Stadium; Culture in the CORE at Main Street Plaza (Richardson)
Sunday, November 3: DRC’s The Half at Norbuck Park; Last day of Autumn at the Arboretum; DMA Free First Sundays — Access for All at the Dallas Museum of Art