You spend a lot of time in bed, so keeping that space clean can make a real difference to your comfort and sleep. Research Gate estimates that people spend about a third of their lives in bed. WebMD has also reported on an Ohio State University study estimating that mattresses can contain anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million dust mites.
Your bed can collect plenty of things you probably don’t think twice about, from clothing and backpacks to crumbs and pet hair. Some are simply messy, while others can bring in dirt, allergens, moisture, or germs.
A few small changes can help keep your sleeping space cleaner. Here are 10 things worth keeping off your bed.
Dirty Clothes
Changing out of your clothes after a long day and tossing them onto the bed is an easy habit to fall into. The problem is that clothing can carry sweat, dirt, oils, and microorganisms picked up throughout the day.
A 2023 study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov) found that textiles can act as fomites, meaning they can carry and transfer microorganisms. The study looked at textiles in healthcare settings, where fabrics can play a role in spreading pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus.
You don’t have to treat every worn shirt like a biohazard, but keeping dirty clothes away from your bedding is a sensible habit. Put a laundry basket in the bedroom so worn clothes have a place to go instead of ending up on your sheets.
Related: 12 Common Garden Plants That Are Surprisingly Poisonous
Pets
A pet curled up at the foot of the bed can be comforting, but sharing your bedding with an animal can also bring in fur, dander, dirt, and outdoor debris.
Pet dander is a common allergen and can make symptoms worse for people with allergies or asthma. Dogs and cats that spend time outdoors can also bring fleas, ticks, and other unwanted hitchhikers inside.
If you prefer having your pet nearby at night, giving them their own washable bed beside yours can be a reasonable compromise. Regular grooming and veterinary care can also help keep the amount of dirt and allergens under control.
Food and Snacks
Eating in bed can feel like a treat, especially during a movie or a lazy weekend morning. The crumbs left behind are a different story.
Small pieces of food can work their way into sheets, blankets, and mattress seams. Those crumbs and food odors can attract ants, cockroaches, and other pests. Drinks and greasy foods can also leave stains that are difficult to remove.
Keeping meals at the kitchen or dining table makes cleanup easier and gives you one less source of mess in your sleeping area.
Related: 15 Common Bologna Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Sandwich
Electronics
Phones, tablets, and laptops have become part of many people’s bedtime routines. Keeping them on the bed all night, though, isn’t ideal for either sleep or cleanliness.
The Sleep Foundation reports that light from electronic screens can interfere with the body’s natural melatonin production, which may make it harder to fall asleep or maintain good sleep quality.
Your phone also travels with you throughout the day and can pick up dirt and germs from hands, surfaces, and public places. For better hygiene and sleep, consider charging your devices on a nightstand instead of keeping them beside your pillow.
Unwashed Bedding Accessories
Sheets aren’t the only fabrics that collect sweat, body oils, skin cells, and dust. Pillowcases, blankets, mattress protectors, and decorative pillows can also become dirty over time.
Pillowcases deserve particular attention because they sit directly against your face and hair for hours every night. People with sensitive skin may also find that buildup on bedding contributes to irritation.
An Alaska Regional Hospital study has linked dirty bedding with problems such as acne flare-ups and skin irritation. Regular washing can help reduce that buildup. Hot water washing can be useful for washable bedding, provided the care label allows it.
Related: 15 Common Electrical Fire Risks You Might Be Overlooking
Outdoor Shoes
Outdoor shoes have been across sidewalks, parking lots, public floors, grass, and countless other surfaces. Bringing them onto your bed adds all that grime to one of the places where you sleep.
A Nebraska Methodist Health System article cites research showing that 27% of shoe soles tested carried E. coli, along with other bacteria.
A shoes-off rule at the bedroom door is an easy way to keep outdoor dirt from reaching your bedding. Your floors will benefit from the habit too.
Wet Towels or Clothes
Throwing a damp towel or wet shirt onto your bed for a little while may seem harmless. Leaving moisture trapped against bedding or a mattress can create a much bigger problem.
Damp fabrics provide favorable conditions for mold and mildew to grow. Sweat, body oils, and moisture can also contribute to unpleasant odors.
Hang wet towels on a proper rack or hook and give damp clothing a place to dry before putting it in a hamper. Keeping moisture away from your mattress is especially important because mattresses are difficult to clean and dry thoroughly.
Stuffed Animals
Stuffed animals can make a bedroom feel cozy, but plush toys can collect dust, hair, skin flakes, and allergens.
This can be a bigger concern for children who have asthma or dust allergies. OnlyMyHealth notes that unwashed stuffed toys can contribute to allergen exposure.
There’s no need to get rid of a favorite teddy bear. Just give plush toys regular cleaning based on their care instructions. Washing them about once a month can help reduce accumulated dust and allergens, provided the toy is machine washable.
Related: 10 Common Kitchen Mistakes That Make Food Go Bad Faster
Gym Bags or Backpacks
Gym bags spend time in locker rooms, gyms, cars, floors, and other places where dirt and sweat can accumulate. Backpacks can have a similar problem after being carried around schools, offices, public transportation, and outdoor spaces.
Putting either one directly on your bed transfers whatever is sitting on the bottom or sides of the bag onto your bedding.
Keep gym bags and backpacks on a chair, shelf, hook, or designated storage area instead. If a bag becomes sweaty or dirty, wipe it down or wash it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Uncovered Hair Products or Tools
Hair products and grooming tools don’t belong on your sheets. Hairspray, gel, oils, creams, and other products can leave behind residue that transfers to pillowcases and blankets.
Some ingredients in hair products can also cause skin reactions in sensitive people. Dermatology Advisor reports that allergens found in popular hair products can contribute to allergic contact dermatitis.
Hair tools can also leave behind product residue, oils, and heat-related marks. Keep brushes, sprays, styling products, and heated tools on a vanity, bathroom counter, or storage shelf instead of your bed.
A cleaner bed doesn’t require a complicated routine. Start by keeping everyday clutter, outdoor items, food, moisture, and dirty fabrics away from your bedding. Your bed is where you spend a large part of your day, so giving it a little extra attention is well worth the effort.
