Should I air my bedding every morning? This warning from experts is worth heeding

Making our beds when we get up is a chore ingrained in our routine from childhood.

Now, however, sleep and bedding experts are warning us that this step could be detrimental to our sleep routine, increasing the number of bacteria lurking between the fibers, waiting for us to settle in for the night.

Here's why you should be airing out your bedding instead to improve their sleep hygiene, and how to do it properly to reap all the benefits.

Why you should air out your bedding

No matter what you try, there is no escaping bacteria on your bedding. We all sweat, breathe, and shed skin when we sleep and making it immediately without airing your bedding first is a mistake.

Tadas Pukas, CEO and founder of Minimalistic Linen explains, 'If the bed is made immediately, this moisture is trapped, potentially creating a breeding ground for dust mites and mold, which can trigger allergies and asthma.

'Allowing the bed to air out helps this moisture to evaporate, maintaining a fresh and hygienic sleep environment, and potentially extending the life of our bedding.’

For many, this will mean that not making a bed in the morning could result in better sleep – especially when you also clean a mattress properly and wash bed sheets often enough.

Knowing how often to wash bed sheets to keep them fresh and hygienic is helpful too. Aim for once a week, or more if you are a hot sleeper.

How to air out your bedding

Airing out your bedding is simple, but there are a few things you can do to make it more effective and avoid some common bed-making mistakes that affect your sleep:

• Fold the sheets down neatly: Parima Ijaz, founder and CEO at Pure Parima, the bedding specialists, explains, 'In order to properly air out your bedding for the most benefits, simply pull back the covers and fold them down neatly to expose the bedding to air circulation.' Keeping your bed neat while airing it out will help clear visual clutter in the bedroom, too.
• Open curtains to let in the sun: It is important to increase natural light in your bedroom in the morning, Parima continues. She explains, 'Sunlight has natural antibacterial properties that can help sanitize bedding and brighten whites.'
• Air bedding for at least 30 minutes: Parima adds, 'Leave it to air out for at least 30 minutes or a couple hours to ensure there is enough airflow. Following this regimen a few times a week can help maintain freshness and ensure a healthier sleeping environment.'
• Be cautious opening windows: Jeff Kahn, CEO and co-founder of Rise Science warns, 'For those with pollen allergies or sensitivities to certain outdoor allergens, opening windows to air out bedding could introduce allergens into the sleeping environment, potentially exacerbating symptoms. In areas with high pollution or excessive humidity, the practice might be less beneficial and could introduce more contaminants.’ If this is the case, use a dehumidifier to help remove moisture, coupled with vacuuming your bed and regularly washing your comforter. 

FAQs

How often should you air out your sheets?

John Kahn, sleep expert, says, ‘While there are clear benefits to airing out bedding, it doesn't necessarily need to be done daily. Doing it a few times a week might be enough. For those with allergies, in addition to being cautious about outdoor allergen counts, using protective covers and washing bedding regularly might provide more consistent allergy relief.’

How often should I air my duvet?

Airing your duvet outdoors is a great way to freshen this bulky essential up without having to wash and dry it every month. When the weather is nice, it can be a good idea to hang your duvet or comforter outside for half an hour (in the sun where possible) to help kill bacteria, blow away dust, and remove odors.

Airing out bedding daily is just one of the many things people with clean bedrooms always do to keep their sleep space fresh. Cleaning a bedroom regularly and minimizing clutter is also essential to creating a serene, safe spot to sleep.