Is Making Your Bed Hazardous to Your Health?
November 29, 2007 by laura
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Could mothers all around the world be wrong?
Apparently so, since its now being reported by the BBC that an unmade bed is unappealing to dust mites. Dust mites, which cause allergies and asthma -prefer a lived in bed, but can not survive in the warm, dry conditions of a bed that is messy (and occupied).
Researcher Dr Stephen Pretlove states:
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
Who knew that I had so much in common with the dust mite? I can not stand to get into an unmade bed. For me, it will not provide adequate rest – and I will toss and turn, until I am forced to get up and remake it. Turns out, that I may be doing myself more harm than good.
There is a simple solution. Don’t make your bed. Will I be following this advice? I don’t think so.
Picture Source- flickr
I don’t think it’s necessary to leave it unmade *all* the time – the sheets just need to air out and dehumidify. I’ve tried to get into a habit of folding down all the bed covers when I get up, then go back and make it after breakfast/getting dressed/etc. Actually, it seems that was the way to do it in “the olden days” – check out Marilla’s instructions to the newly arrived Anne in Anne of Green Gables!
Problem is, I have the attention span of a knat, and the bed doesn’t get made very often after this. Plus I’m supposed to wash all my bedding in hot water every week anyway to keep down the mite population (wait, how often does that happen?). So I alternate between doing it right away and having a neat looking bed, or airing things out and feeling more frazzled. What can you do?!
Hey I’m all for leaving the bed unmade, just close the bedroom door:)
Jenna,
I LOVE Anne of Green Gables. I have put it on my to do list to re-read the Marilla’s rules on how to make a proper bed, this week.
The bed making is a dilemma for me. I feel better emotionally, if my bedroom is kept in an orderly fashion, and that means a made bed. I am not they type that can just throw a duvet cover on the bed, and say “voila – bed is made”.
If I was home more, then I would try your regime….but at the moment I am not able to leave my house, knowing that my bed isn’t made.
I know – I need to spend a whole lot of time with a therapist
bookbabie,
you are a much stronger person than I.
I am jealous that you can do that