Why you shouldn’t make your bed right after waking up: 5 surprising reasons |
What is the first thing you do after waking up? “I say a quick grace, get up, and start making my bed”, said Sinupa Shekhar from Bengaluru. Well, she is not the only one who does this. Making bed is the first thing for many people after waking for decades. And why not? This is one thing that has been popularised as a “good morning habit”, a way to start the day with discipline and order. But to our surprise, evidence from cleaning experts and health professionals suggests that this might not be a good idea. It’s a ritual that’s not considered good for health or hygiene. Surprised, right? Well, there are many reasons which explain the logic behind delaying bed-making ritual for at least 30–60 minutes after waking. Here are five reasons that will leave you surprised:Sweat, moisture trap
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M.K Singh (Noida), a cleaning expert argues that making your bed right away is not a good habit because of the moisture left over from sleep. He says that when we rest or sleep, our bodies sweat naturally, even if it goes unnoticed. This moisture doesn’t magically disappear in the morning but remains trapped in your bedsheet, blankets, and pillows. So if you make the bed right away, you don’t allow this dampness to go away. This becomes a natural habitat for bacteria, dust mites and microscopic organisms. Dust mites feed on dead skin cells and humid bedding allows them to reproduce fast. So allow some time for moisture to evaporate. Spread your sheets and leave it for 30–60 minutes.Improve respiratory healthDust mites are strongly linked to respiratory issues in many people. Allergens from dust mites are a common trigger for asthma, allergic rhinitis, sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes. You need to let your bedding breathe by spreading it, opening covers and or putting them out in the sun. These things reduce bacterial growth. Natural ventilation
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Natural ventilation is very important. A warm and closed room under your covers is also conducive to the growth of bacteria. Sweat, and dead skin cells are natural food for these microbes. Therefore, exposing your sheets and mattress to air and sun helps dry out dampness and reduces overall humidity. Routine cleaning is also important which includes washing sheets and vacuuming mattresses.Better bedding longevity Allowing bedding air out can help preserve the materials themselves. The trapped moisture in fabrics can accelerate fiber breakdown over months and years. Fabrics that remain moist for a long time are more likely to develop foul smell and discoloration as well. Ventilation helps reduce this dampness and maintain the health and freshness of sheets and pillowcases.Sunlight exposure
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Cleaning experts also talk about the importance of natural light and airflow for bedding. It is crucial to let your bedding out in sunlight and air. It helps in removing trapped humidity which encourages biological growth. Artificial ventilation also helps, but even simply pushing back the covers and letting the bedroom air move is beneficial.It is suggested that you wait about 30 to 60 minutes before making your bed. Letting your bedding air out improves ventilation and supports overall bedroom cleanliness and respiratory comfort. So next time you wake and immediately reach out for bedding, remember these points. Go for a morning walk instead of making your morning bed!
