Why You Shouldn't Make Your Bed Right Away in the Morning: Doctors' Opinion That Will Change Your Life
Your mother was wrong. A made bed in the morning is a breeding ground for dust mites.
A study by Environmental Science & Technology found that damp bedding attracts germs.
Hygiene expert Lisa Ackerley advises on the Healthy Home podcast:
"Let the mattress air out for 2-3 hours."
Bestselling author of The Life-Changing Lifestyle of Tidying Up Marie Kondo told The New York Times :
"I stopped making my bed. It frees my mind."
And Dr Michael Mosley told BBC Horizon :
"Ticks die when exposed to light and air. Make your bed at night and sleep peacefully."
But in Scandinavia, where the humidity is higher, "open bedrooms" are popular: the bed is left unmade all day and the windows are kept open even in winter.
But there's a catch. Interior designer Kelly Wearstler writes in Modern Living : "An unmade bed ruins the aesthetic." The solution?
Use a light blanket and throw it off for half an hour. Your mattress will say "thank you". And if you suffer from allergies, choose hypoallergenic materials.
Dermatologist Sarah Jarvis recommends changing your bedding every 5 days on the Health Check podcast: 'Mites multiply faster than you think.'
