Do you leave your handbag on your bed? Have you ever been so bone-tired you’ve crawled under the duvet without changing?
Are your pillows more than two years old? Is your pet allowed to curl up on your counterpane? Do you have breakfast in bed?
If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’, your bed etiquette might need a re-think. Because, according to the experts, all of these behaviours could mean your so-called sanctuary is being turned into a home for allergens, bacteria and mould.
The freshness of our beds is a target of ‘cleanfluencers’ after a viral video asking whether it’s ok to wear ‘outside clothes’ in bed sparked hundreds of impassioned responses. So, what’s the truth about modern bed etiquette?
Here’s how often you need clean sheets
There is no single rule for all, says public health scientist Lisa Ackerley. ‘How many people sleep in the bed? Do they shower before bed? Do they wear pyjamas? Do they use lots of hair products? Do they eat in bed? Does a dog or a cat sleep on it? All of these will affect how frequently you should wash your bed linen,’ she says.
If there’s two of you – and the dog – getting into bed without pyjamas and without showering, you probably want to be changing the sheets weekly. But if it’s just you and you shower before bed, wear pyjamas, don’t use hair products and don’t have pets, you can get away with every fortnight or so.
Heidi Phillips, of Tergo Specialist Cleaning Services in South Wales, says the weather matters, too. ‘In the summer, when it’s hotter and you sweat more, you want to change bed linen at least every week. But in the winter, when it’s cooler, every fortnight,’ she says.
… and when exactly you should change them
Lisa points out that when you change sheets is even more important than how frequently. ‘If you’re sharing a bed with someone who’s got norovirus or a cold, or if you’re ill yourself, that’s when you want to clean the bedding – either wash above 60C or use a laundry sanitiser.’
Some experts recommend washing bed linen daily when ill, while others say every three days is fine (unless they’re clearly dirty). Putting fresh sheets on when the ill person feels better is a good move.
How long to air your bed
Heidi recommends not making your bed straight away. ‘When you get out of bed, fold it back for 30 to 60 minutes to air, then you’re not trapping any moisture in the bed.
‘Ideally, make it before you leave the house as – especially in summer when you might have windows open and pollen coming in – this will limit the levels of dust and airborne allergens that can build up on the bottom sheet.’
Forget breakfast in bed – or even water
Eating and drinking in bed is a no-no for optimum cleanliness. You may be surprised to hear that includes sipping water.
‘Food can attract bugs, and spills – even water – can add moisture to the bed, creating an environment where mould can grow in the mattress. This can show up as stains on the surface of the mattress or a musty smell,’ says Heidi. For the same reason, many experts recommend not going to bed with wet hair.
Vacuum under the bed, too
No one wants musty, dirty sheets. But from a health perspective, Lisa says the main concern is allergies.
‘Dust-mite poo can build up in pillows, duvets and cushions, as well as under the bed,’ she says. ‘For some people, this can cause an allergic reaction – from being a bit snuffly and having a runny nose to exacerbating asthma conditions.’
Regularly vacuuming the mattress and under the bed, as well as washing duvets and pillows, can help.
Do I have to ditch pillows EVERY two years?
‘Mattresses should have a waterproof cover to protect them and should be rotated every six months so they get even use,’ Heidi says. ‘And pillows and duvets should be washed every six months and recycled or donated [some animal charities can use them for bedding] after two years.
‘Even if you’re using a pillowcase or protector, pillows collect oil from your hair and creams from your face so you’re getting a build up of grime.’
Leave outside clothes at the door
Heidi is not a fan of bringing the outside world into your bedroom. That means removing your coat at the front door and ideally leaving your handbag there – and certainly not sitting on or in the bed with outdoor clothes on.
‘You might have sat down in a restaurant or on public transport and you don’t know what’s on the seat,’ she says. ‘You don’t want to transfer dirt, smells, bacteria and toxins like smoke to your bed.’
Handbags are one of the worst offenders, she adds, as they might have been put on a dirty floor, while suitcases get dragged through the street.
Beware pet parasites
Lisa says the same is true for animals sleeping on your bed.
‘Animals will bring in dirt from outside, and while that won’t necessarily make you ill, it adds to the smell of bedding. It’s also possible they could be bringing in parasites.’
And here’s what is even worse…
If you’re more bed-slattern than bed-obsessive, Lisa has heartening news.
From a public health point of view, she says, she’s more concerned about people making sure that they wash their hands properly when they come in from outside and that they don’t put handbags and briefcases on tables or worktops where they might be preparing food.
‘Having a grubby bed is not the most risky thing you can do,’ she says.
Still, once you know about the bacteria and bugs you could be sharing a bed with, you might not see your bedroom in quite the same way.
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