Experts urge monthly cleaning of one household item often neglected by Brits

If you're a parent, you might often find yourself stumbling over cuddly toys scattered around the house. However, despite being a source of comfort for your child, teddy bears and soft toys are items that an astonishing number of people confess to neverwashing. These items are a hotbed for germs, bacteria, allergens and dust mites.

They may be well-loved, but new research has discovered that parents avoid washing teddy bears and cuddly companions for various reasons. However, experts at AO.com advise that they should be washed monthly to ensure they're not transmitting anything harmful. Parents confess there are numerous reasons they avoid washing these snuggly bedtime pals, travel buddies, and comforters in times of need.

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A survey of 2,000 Brits revealed this surprising hygiene blind spot in UK households, reports the Daily Record. It discovered that more than one in five people (21 per cent) confess that they've never washed their children's teddy bears or cuddly toys, despite 83 per cent acknowledging they can harbour all sorts of germs.

While 32 per cent of Brits say there's simply "no reason" they haven't done it, whilst 15.6 per cent worry they'll get damaged in the machine. A further six per cent fear they'll lose their familiar scent.

Katy Roberts, AO's washing machine expert, says mums and dads should be washing these constant companions every month. She advised: "As a rule of thumb, try to wash your teddy bear every month – particularly if they're regularly handled".

"Blankets, you should pop in the washing machine once every fortnight to help keep them fresh. Your teddies and blankets can easily harbour dust mites and allergens so err on the side of caution and stick them in your washing machine when they're dirty".

If you're concerned about ruining them, she has some guidance. She continued: "It's completely understandable that many of us are worried about washing our teddies at home, however with a few handy tips, there's no need to stress".

"If your furry companion is looking a bit worse for wear, there's nothing finer for it than popping your teddy bear into your washing machine. To clean them properly, check your care label and if this has worn away over the years, then put on a gentle, cold wash with a mild detergent to be on the safe side.

"If your teddy has seen better days and is more on the delicate side, then use a soft cloth or sponge with shampoo and dab away at any dirty areas. Leave this to air dry naturally and you can even give this a quick fluff with a soft brush for a magic touch to finish."