The joy of clean bedding is a simple pleasure many relish, but it's not just used sheets that require a good wash. Surprisingly, new linens can be just as likely to harbour bacteria and dirt as older sets.

Experts warn that placing them directly onto the mattress before giving them a thorough wash could negatively impact both your sleep quality and health.

While it may not occur to you to wash brand-new sheets straight out of their packaging, Christian Alexander, the president and CEO of Nest Bedding, insists "it is necessary".

He explained: "This way, you remove the dust and dirt they may have accumulated while in the factory or on the shelf at the store."

This advice is particularly crucial for those with sensitive skin who might react to the residual chemicals from the manufacturing process.

However, cleanliness isn't the only concern regarding new sheets. If you opt not to wash them before use, you might also notice a difference in how they feel to the touch.

A laundry guru from In The Wash has revealed a surprising secret behind the crispness of new bed sheets, stating: "One culprit of this is a starch known as 'sizing'. This starch is used to keep sheets smooth in their packaging to maintain that attractive, fresh look. This starch is what can make some bed sheets feel scratchy when they are first taken out of the packet."

They added that washing new bed sheets before use isn't just about comfort but also serves as a quality check, explaining that it's an opportunity to spot any defects such as a small tear or badly attached button to a snag in the stitching, which become more apparent after a wash.

When delving into the best practices for laundering bed linens, the expert underscored the necessity of cleaning your sheets correctly to ensure they're spotless and not just fragrant. Generally, washing them with the hottest water (60C or above) is a foolproof laundry method.

For those with vividly coloured bedding, the specialist recommended using a warm cycle instead to preserve the fabric's brightness while still achieving a thorough clean. All bedding sets should be washed alone, rather than with towels or other large garments to avoid tangling.

As for the texture and softness of your sheets, a laundry guru from In The Wash recommended ditching softeners for something with fewer chemicals - and it costs just 59p.

They advised: "To get the most out of your new sheets and remove that stiff feeling, give them a thorough wash by adding a cup of baking soda to the machine."

When washed with warm water, the bicarbonate of soda will loosen up the sheets and get rid of any smells that remain from the production process, the cleaning expert claimed. They also suggested forgoing detergent completely, and simply using baking soda in the wash cycle for a natural clean.

To use bicarbonate of soda in the wash, put it directly in the drum of the machine; do not add baking soda to the washer's built-in dispensers. Doing so can deposit residue that will leave clothing and household goods like sheets and towels feeling stiff rather than soft.

Bicarbonate of soda is easy to find, buy in bulk on Amazon (£4.69 for 500g), or in smaller quantities (180g) at Sainsbury's for just 59p. Iceland has one of the best deals, offering 200g Dr. Oetker Bicarbonate of Soda for just 75p.