July 20, 2021, 12:33 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
What exactly lurks beneath our covers? A London microbiologist explains which bacteria, viruses, critters, and fungi might be lurking in our beds, what can be done about it, and how often you should change your bed linens.
As delightful as it feels to crawl under the covers at night, snuggle into the pillows, and drift gently to sleep–in reality, the bed is anything but a clean place. “In fact, the bed is akin to a petri dish,” explains London microbiologist Dr. Manal Mohammed in her article published in “The Conversation.”1 To ensure that the nightly journey to dreamland doesn’t turn into a gross experience, the expert offers useful tips on bed hygiene, including how often you really need to change your bed linens.
Overview
Which Bacteria Sleep with Us
No one sleeps alone. First, there are a variety of bacteria, including Staphylococcus bacteria. “These bacteria are more commonly found on hospital bed linens and are usually harmless, but they can cause serious illnesses if they enter the body through an open wound,” warns Mohammed. These include acne, skin infections, or pneumonia. Some strains are even antibiotic-resistant. “In fact, about one-third of people carry Staphylococcus aureus in their bodies, which means they can easily end up in the home bed. Diarrhea-causing E. coli strains can also settle between the pillows. “For this reason, it’s important to wash your hands properly after every nightly bathroom visit,” says the expert.
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Mites Feed on Skin Cells
But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Each person loses about 500 million skin cells a day–the favorite food of mites, which also inevitably reside in our beds. The remnants of these tiny creatures end up in the bedding, which can trigger allergies and even asthma. “Bedbugs are also a threat. Although these tiny, five-millimeter-long bugs don’t transmit diseases, they can cause itchy red bite marks, leading to anxiety and insomnia.” The nasty part: They cling to clothing or backpacks and can be brought in by overnight guests or partners.
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A Messy Household Leads to a Dirty Bed
Microbes, viruses, and germs have the unpleasant habit of clinging to fabrics. They find cotton or fur particularly cozy. “They hide on towels, kitchen towels, survive there for up to two weeks, and can also be brought into the bed by pets,” warns the microbiologist. Certain types of fungi, which can cause unpleasant genital infections, can survive on terry cloth or other fabrics for up to a month. That’s not all: “Some other types of viruses, like the Vaccinia virus (part of the poxvirus family), can cling to wool and cotton for up to 14 weeks.”
How Often Should You Change Your Bed Linens According to the Expert?
None of this sounds particularly inviting. On the contrary, these gross facts are more likely to rob you of sleep. The most effective opponent of germs and mites remains the washing machine. So how often should you change or wash your bed linens? Mohammed’s answer: “At least every two weeks, and at 60 degrees Celsius. This effectively kills germs and mites.” If you sweat a lot, you should run the machine once a week, and pillowcases can even be changed every three days. “Make sure the bed linens are completely dry before use.”
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More Expert Tips on Bed Hygiene
Consider your bed a kind of sanctuary, for which strict rules apply. According to microbiologist Dr. Manal Mohammed, these are:
- No pets in the bed
- Shower right before going to bed
- Don’t leave daytime clothes in the bed
- Wear pajamas or stay naked
- Don’t wear daytime socks, put on fresh socks if needed
- Don’t bring towels into the bed
- Remove makeup completely, don’t apply creams or lotions before bed
- Air out/shake out the duvet daily
- Vacuum the mattress once a month
- Invest in a new mattress every ten years
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Sources
- Mohammed, M.: “Your bed probably isn’t as clean as you think – a microbiologist explains” (2021), The Conversation, accessed July 20, 2021