Research Gate estimates you spend a third of your life in bed, one of the most important spaces for health and well-being. In a published article, WebMD says that an Ohio State University study found that 100,000 to 10 million dust mites could inhabit your mattress.
It’s essential to have a clean environment to sleep better and stay healthy. Here are 10 things you should avoid putting on your bed:
Dirty Clothes
Bacteria, dirt, and sweat carried by dirty clothes will be placed on your bed. A 2023 study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov) found that textiles act as fomites in the healthcare system, and fabric used in public places can spread pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus.
It’s best to keep a laundry basket in your room so soiled clothes won’t wander near your clean sleeping space. Believe it or not, this simple habit can dramatically decrease bed linen contamination.
Pets
Sleeping with pets on your bed may seem cute, but here’s why it’s a huge hygiene risk. Common allergens include pet fur and dander, which may worsen asthma or cause an allergic reaction.
Other pests, like fleas and ticks, can also transfer from your pet to your bedding. Wherever possible, prohibit pets from sleeping in human sleeping areas, and, even if your pets are well groomed, remind residents that pets can carry microscopic pathogens.
Food and Snacks
Your bed may be an inviting place to sleep, but if you eat on it, crumbs can lodge in the linens, attracting insects such as ants or cockroaches. Confine eating in dining areas, as crumbs attract pests, and there are reports of lingering oils and stains.
Electronics
Electrons disrupt sleep patterns and compromise hygiene. The Sleep Foundation reported that using electronics, such as laptops and phones, in bed is terrible. The blue light on the screens can interfere with your natural melatonin production, which can mess with your sleep quality.
Phones and other devices also gather germs from general use and public areas. To improve hygiene and sleep, it’s suggested that you make your bed a device-free zone.
Unwashed Bedding Accessories
Pillowcases that aren’t washed often and blankets tend to accumulate sweat, oils, and dead skin cells that quickly provide a suitable breeding ground for bacteria and dust mites.
According to an Alaska Regional Hospital study, dirty bedding is responsible for acne flare-ups and skin irritation. Hot water washing these items weekly can go a long way toward reducing microbial buildup and keeping your bed as clean and safe as possible.
Outdoor Shoes
The biggest hygiene error is stepping your outdoor shoes into your bedroom and placing them on a bed. Shoes carry dirt, pesticides, even fecal matter, and harmful pathogens into your sleeping area.
A Nebraska Methodist Health System study found that 27 percent of shoe soles harbor E. coli and other bacteria. A simple way to keep a cleaner space is to leave is to leave shoes at the door before entering the bedroom.
Wet Towels or Clothes
You may think draping wet towels or damp clothing over your bed is harmless, but it also creates the best environment for mold and mildew to grow.
Bacteria and fungi in sweat can grow when trapped in fabrics and wick into your mattress, creating lasting odors.
Stuffed Animals
Stuffed animals may seem harmless, but they will accumulate dust and allergens, provided they are not cleaned often. Children who are known to have asthma or dust allergies are particularly vulnerable when they sleep close to unwashed plush toys or stuffed toys, states OnlyMyHealth.
Washing these items in a hot cycle once per month will drastically reduce allergen levels and make them safe to use as decor.
Gym Bags or Backpacks
Using the bed for a gym bag or backpack storage brings to your bed bacteria, dirt, and sweat residues picked up from gym floors or elsewhere public. Studies by lapochette have shown gym bags carry up to 60 percent more bacteria than household surfaces.
Keep your store bags on a different surface or in a closet to prevent the transfer of harmful germs to your bedding.
Uncovered Hair Products or Tools
Hair sprays, gels, and other unventilated grooming products left on your bed will stain your linens and increase the chemical residue. Dermatology Advisor found that these traces can be irritating to sensitive skin or eyes.
To avoid all such issues, never store your hair tools and products anywhere but in their own drawers or storage spaces.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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