There is an online debate over this question: Should you make your bed in the morning, or should you leave it unmade?
Making your bed certainly gives your room a more polished look and is a morning ritual for a significant portion of the population. While studies vary, about a third of Americans make their bed every single day according to this poll. Approximately 76% of the population make their bed either every day, regularly or sometimes.
So, making the bed seems to win when it comes to popularity (and it certainly wins for the military), but is it hygienic?
That may be an unexpected question, but keep reading to learn why it matters.
Is it better to leave your bed unmade?
Yes, it is better to leave your bed unmade when considering hygiene. But why?
When you sleep in a bed overnight, you leave behind dead skin cells, sweat, saliva, and more (yes, more). If you get up to start your day and immediately make the bed, you’re covering all that up and not letting your sheets or mattress breathe. When you don’t air out your sheets, this can increase the level of moisture in your bed.
That excess moisture can lead to harmful bacterial growth and even mold.
Can making your bed cause more dust mites?
Unfortunately, making your bed can lead to some unwanted guests: dust mites.
Dust mites are microscopic so you can’t see them with the naked eye, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t there.
Dust mites thrive in warm and moist environments (which is why they love when you throw the comforter on the bed immediately after starting your day).
Dust mites can cause a runny nose, watery eyes, and even trigger an asthma attack.
How can I get rid of dust mites?
Humidity is not your friend. Besides waiting to make your bed until later in the day after your sheets air out (or just not making it at all), you can also use a dehumidifier in your home.
Small, portable dehumidifiers are a less expensive option. However, they require you to empty them frequently, and they are typically loud.
If humidity is an issue throughout your home, you should consider a whole-house dehumidifier, which a local Heating & Air Conditioning company can install for you. While this is an investment, it is so much more efficient than a smaller unit. It can also have huge positive health impacts and keep your home from trapping moisture that is a breeding ground for mold. Once mold starts growing in your walls, it will continue to grow, causing a very unhealthy and incredibly costly issue down the road.
Typically built-in dehumidifiers make sure your humidity levels stay below 60%, with the most ideal levels being between 30-50%. Your home is most humid in the summer months (especially when it is raining), and least humid in the winter when the air is dry and lacking moisture.
Another way to help keep dust mites out of your bed is to be very consistent with washing your bedding. If you think you have a dust mite issue, you should be washing your sheets every week, or even twice a week. Hot water is recommended for best results, though you should always follow your bedding care instructions so it is not damaged in the washer or dryer.
You can also use a mattress allergy encasement and a pillow allergy cover for extra protection.
And make sure to dust your bedroom regularly! Watch this video to learn about the harmful health effects of breathing in toxic dust particles.
But what if I NEED to make the bed?
We get it–for some people, not making the bed gives them anxiety.
In the end, it is your choice how you start your day. But you can always make your bed after you shower in the morning, get dressed, eat breakfast, brew a cup of coffee, etc. If you wait for it to be the last task you do before heading to the office, your bed will have a chance to breathe, and it’s certainly MUCH better than immediately making it within seconds of your feet touching the ground.