You will find a lot of articles and speeches telling you that you should make your bed every day. But there are some reasons it’s best not to make your bed in the morning, and they have to do with your health.
Making your bed first thing in the morning can help productivity and it makes your home look tidy. There are many good reasons to make your bed right away.
There is one big reason why you shouldn’t make your bed every day and it may be big enough to make you rethink that “good habit.”
Why You Shouldn’t Make Your Bed
At night we sweat and shed skin cells, dust mites love both of these things and really thrive in damp, humid climates. When you get out of bed and make it right away you are trapping a lot of the moisture. Airing out the bed for awhile before making it can help reduce the moisture and reduce the number of dust mites as well.
A study by Kingston University discovered dust bites can’t survive in warm, dry conditions found in unmade beds.
“Something as simple as leaving a bed unmade during the day can remove moisture from the sheets and mattress so the mites will dehydrate and eventually die,” said Researcher Dr Stephen Pretlove.
The study also says that homes in the UK are often too humid for airing out the bed to help. Humidity can be a bigger issue in the UK due to climate, older homes, and the fact that homes often don’t have air conditioning.
To avoid dust mites it’s recommended to keep your home under 50%. Typically it’s recommended that you keep your home between 30%-50% humidity.
When I get up in the morning I like to open the blinds, if it’s sunny, and pull the blankets back to the end of the bed and let the bed air out for at least a few hours before making it.
Dust mites are too small to be seen with the naked eye. They are arthropods like spiders. And they may be the cause of your allergy symptoms. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says that about 20 million Americans have dust mite allergy.
How to Avoid Dust Mites
While you can’t make your home dust mite proof you can reduce their numbers but there are some simple things you can do to help.
- Allow your bed to air out before making it for at least an hour.
- Wash your sheets and other bedding at least every two weeks, once a week is best.
- Wash all sheets, blankets, and pillowcases in hot water, at least 130 F. The hot water cycle on your washer should reach this temperature.
- If your bedding can’t be washed in hot water, put items in the dryer for at least 15 minutes at a temperature above 130 F. Medium high on most dryers will reach about 135 F.
- Use mattress and pillow protectors and wash often.
- Clean your mattress. I like to do this seasonally but try to at least every six months. (Click here for How to Clean Your Mattress)
- Wash your pillows. It’s best to wash these every 3-6 months. If you are using pillow protectors every 6 months is likely fine.
- Keep your home’s humidity levels below 50%.
Following these steps will help reduce allergens and dust mites in your bedding. You can still make your bed just wait a bit before you do. I know this goes against so many experiences teachings but it’s likely better for our health, especially those with asthma and allergies.
One of the reasons experts encourage you to make your bed in the morning is productivity. If that is your reason try out the Make Over Your Mornings eCourse it will help you use your mornings wisely and stay productive in ways that don’t include making your bed.
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Jamie
I don’t usually make my bed…not because of dust mites…just because it has never been a big priority for me. Now I can say I have a real reason! 🙂
Cherie
Thanks for the reminder. I used to not make the bed until I had aired it out but lately I’ve been making it as soon as I get up.
Sara
Thanks for the post! I do make my bed but I can see why it makes a lot of sense to wait. I’m going to try to change my habit!
Micaela
Oh boy! I’m grossed out just thinking about it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, that’s awesome! I totally don’t make my bed. I also never understood why people wait to take a shower in the morning and not before they go to bed, thus sleeping in filth every night!
Lisa Sharp
I normally shower at night as well. I hate blow drying my hair so that plays into that ha.
Easy kins
My whole family should read this,they think I’m unladylike,and will never find a husband,since I’ve never made my bed.
Betsy (Eco-novice)
I like my bed made b/c it looks neater and keeps the kids out of my sheets, but this is a good reminder to let it air out regularly, esp. if the weather is nice enough to open the windows.
Green Bean
Thank goodness! Another excuse for laziness.
Lisa Sharp
Glad I’m helping everyone have an excuse for being a little bit lazy! 🙂
Teresa
I never knew that. I have always waited awhile before making my bed and now I’m glad I do
Lisa Sharp
Now you have a scientific reason for it. 🙂
Melinda
AH ha! Thnak you! I always told my mama I shouldn’t make my bed!!
Lisa Sharp
haha, you’re welome.
Ally
My best friend just told me to NOT make my bed because of this! I thought he was joking. Guess my mom was wrong about making the bed then.
Crystal
I generally like making my bed but don’t get around to it until mid-morning–guess that’s a good thing. I hate thinking about dust mites, they gross me out!
Lisa Sharp
You didn’t even know you were just being super healthy. 🙂 With asthma I really have to be careful about dust mites and yeah they are super gross.
Danielle Burney
I now have a valid reason for not making my bed in the morning haha. But i didn’t know this thanks for the info
Lisa Sharp
Glad I could help! 🙂
Alex
How interesting! I make my bed every day, but not til about mid morning or just after lunch when I shower. That is just when I get around to it, but now I find out it is better to do it this way! Thanks!
Tracey
I was wondering about making bed while it is still warm…..
And not making bed is enough? Maybe I should slide all tops off???
Lisa Sharp
I just pull everything to the end of the bed so it can air out.
Cynthia
Come on people, it says to wait to make your bed; not to just not make it. I will be pulling back those covers to the bottom of the bed now every morning then at noon make it up. I swear my days always go better when my bed is made!
Stephanie
I’ll have to se d this to my fam! My momma always told me to make my bed. I always felt like it was a waste of my time. So I’ll sleep on top of the covers and throw my blanket in the closet so my bed stayed made … (lol) Ever since I moved out I’ve loved not having anyone tell me to make my bed. Yay!! Now a good reason! Only make my bed for company. 🙂
Alexandra
Uhhh, did the author not fully read the study that she sited???? Literally at the end of the study that sited, it says that having an unmade bed really doesn’t do much to decrease dust mites. The study that she sites, clearly says that it can be reduced in DESSERT like conditions.
Lisa Sharp
Yes I did read it. I’m in the US and many homes here, due to use of air conditioners and climate, have lower humidity levels. I’ll be sure to add a link to an article on controlling dust mites that also talks about ideal humidity levels to help add to this. Hopefully, this information helps.