Numerous people are unaware that duvets require regular cleaning, just like any other bedding item, although their size and weight often make them unsuitable for a standard . People tend to perspire in their sleep, and the moisture can soak into the fabric, creating a build-up that becomes more of a concern as summer approaches.

Fortunately, Sarah Jubb, a specialist from Happy Beds, has divulged a straightforward technique for freshening up bedclothes, which is especially effective for cleaning a duvet and annihilating germs. She explained: "The cold, dry air effectively removes moisture, preventing the accumulation of this bacteria build-up and any yellow stains, musty smells, or even the growth of mould and mildew.

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"Moreover, sunlight also has natural antibacterial properties and can help remove stains." In several Nordic countries, draping a duvet outdoors is a routine, low-maintenance cleanliness ritual that contributes to better hygiene.

Each night, an array of body fluids and moisture seep into our bedding, fostering a suitable environment for germs, dust mites, and potentially even mould to proliferate within the fibres.

By airing a duvet outside, it allows any locked-in dampness to dissipate, while the brisk open-air zaps dust mites, notorious allergen culprits, reports .

With temperatures on the rise come June, it presents an opportune moment to ventilate a duvet, given that the ultraviolet rays in sunlight serve as a powerful natural disinfectant against bacteria.

Airing the duvet can help maintain its cleanliness and freshness while keeping it dry, eliminating the need to worry about damaging your washing machine.

Sarah remarked: "Moreover, airing your duvet with the bedsheet still on can also help restore the loft - essentially, the fluffiness of a down duvet - in your duvet, making for a more comfortable night's sleep."

The Scandinavian trick to airing out a duvet. Simply strip off the duvet cover and give the duvet a robust shake before hanging it outside. Hanging it on a clothesline is the optimal choice, though a balcony railing or drying rack will suffice when space is at a premium.

Nonetheless, remember not to leave a duvet outdoors for more than five hours; two to four hours is typically ideal. While sunlight acts as a natural cleaner for a duvet, too much UV light can eventually lead to fabric deterioration, turning it thin and fragile.

To air out a duvet most effectively, do it in the morning when there's less pollution and humidity around to prevent excess moisture from seeping into the material.

By allocating time to air out your duvet properly on a gloriously sunny day, you're naturally disinfecting it to make it feel cleaner and more refreshing, ensuring a sounder slumber throughout the summer months.