Title: Your Bed Could Be a Breeding Ground for Bacteria
Subtitle: Proper Bedding Hygiene is Essential for a Healthy Sleep
Date: October 17, 2023
We spend approximately one-third of our lives sleeping, making proper “bed hygiene” crucial. Failure to maintain clean bedding can increase the risk of various illnesses. Beddings such as blankets and pillows are a haven for household dust mites. In fact, just 1 gram of dust can harbor millions of dust mites. Beddings easily accumulate sweat and dead skin cells. According to a study conducted in 2022, the number of bacteria found on pillowcases was 39 times higher than that on pet food bowls, and bed sheets had 5.4 times more bacteria than toothbrush holders. Sweat, dead skin cells, skin oils, and saliva promote bacterial growth in bedding, leading to unpleasant odors and an increased risk of infection. For individuals with dust mite allergies, lying on the bed can cause persistent runny nose, sneezing, and frequent awakenings, resulting in accumulated fatigue. People with sensitive skin may experience clogged pores and acne.
It is recommended to wash duvet covers and pillowcases at least once every two weeks using the highest temperature indicated on the product label. Individuals with allergies or infections, those who sleep without clothes, or those who shower infrequently should wash their bedding more frequently. Pillow inserts should be washed with hot water at least once every three months. Duvets can also accumulate dead skin cells and bacteria, so they should be washed at least twice a year. If you tend to sweat a lot, spill coffee or food on the duvet, share the bed with pets, or have allergies, more frequent washing is advised. Pillows and duvets should be dried in the sun after washing. If drying large duvets is challenging, they can be periodically exposed to sunlight and beaten to remove dust mites, which are sensitive
How does the presence of bacteria in our beds contribute to the multiplication and spread of potential pathogens?
Your Bed: A Haven for Bacteria to Multiply
I never realized how crucial bed hygiene is for a restful sleep. Thanks for sharing this valuable information!
I completely agree! Keeping my bedding clean has definitely improved my sleep quality.