New research conducted by the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit reveals that the average quilt contains dangerously high levels of bacteria, fungal spores, stains, cat and dog allergens and house dust mites, which can cause symptoms of asthma, eczema, and rhinitis and could also spread disease and infection.

The research, was undertaken by Professor Jean Emberlin at The National Aerobiology Research Unit, University of Worcester on behalf of Hotpoint Aqualtis to demonstrate the importance of regularly washing duvets in order to eradicate germs and particles.

The process involved analysing 10 typical duvets for stains, live and dead house dust mites, house dust mite and cat allergen content, fungi and bacteria.

Key findings:

• Of the ten duvets tested, seven hadn't been washed in over ten years
• All contained notable amounts of dead mites and debris such as house dust mite faeces, skin scales, eggs, and pollen grains
• All contained traces of house dust mite allergen, bacteria and fungal spores
• The oldest duvet was owned by 33 year old man who hadn't washed it in 11 years
• The duvet contained 100% coverage of brown and yellow stains including bodily fluids, very high levels of house dust mite allergen, very high fungal spore loads and 45g of debris including skin scales and house dust mite faeces. This content has serious implications for health as the contaminants can cause symptoms of asthma and rhinitis, can make eczema worse and can also cause conjunctivitis.
• In the second phase of the research, some of the duvets were washed in a Hotpoint Aqualtis before being re-tested for the same contaminants. After washing at 40 degrees, the live house dust mites in the samples were reduced to zero, the stains were all notably lighter in colour, bacteria counts were reduced by 55% and house dust mite allergen and cat allergen were also reduced to zero - a dramatic reduction from the previously unwashed duvet.

Professor Jean Emberlin, Director of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit at the University Worcester, said "Although we expected to find some levels of dust mites and bacteria in most duvets, we were amazed at the results of the analyses. In some cases, the levels of allergens and contaminants were dangerously high, to the point where they could cause symptoms of serious allergies, and infections amongst owners and their partners. We would recommend washing duvets at least every 6 months to reduce the presence of harmful bacteria, fungal spores and allergens of dust mites and pets- for young children, duvets should be washed at least even more frequently to reduce the risk of infection and allergic reactions."