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LONDON – Your bed is probably the most comfortable place in your home. Unfortunately, it may also be one of the most germs, warns a London microbiologist. In a new article, a University of Westminster researcher explains all the hidden dangers that can actually turn your mattress into a giant petri dish.
Medical microbiology lecturer Manal Mohammed says all the sweat, saliva, dandruff and dead skin cells people leave behind after a night’s sleep is just the tip of the iceberg when ‘this is a less clean bed. All of these things create the perfect environment for bacteria, fungi, viruses, and even microscopic insects to grow.
Starting with bacteria, Dr Mohammed specifically looked at the dangers of Staphylococcus bacteria. Although these germs are generally harmless to humans, they cause serious illness and possibly death if they enter the body through an open wound.
Strains like Staphylococcus aureus have been discovered on pillowcases and they may also be resistant to antibiotics. This potentially harmful strain is also commonly found in hospital beds.
Although a hospital room is very different from someone’s room at home, Dr Mohammed says Gram-negative bacteria like Staphylococcus and E. coli can still find their way into a normal bed.
“In fact, about a third of people carry Staphylococcus aureus in their body. People with S. aureus can excrete the body in large numbers – which means it would be quite easy for Staphylococcus bacteria to be transferred to your bed at home, ”Mohammed writes in his article in The conversation.
Lots of insects crawling in people’s beds
The author adds that people pay 500 million skin cells every night while sleeping. This provides the microscopic mites with an assortment for food. Unfortunately for humans, these dust mites (and their droppings in your bed!) Can cause allergies or even asthma.
Worse yet, bed bugs have become a growing problem, especially in big cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. Dr Mohammed says there are a number of ways people can track these parasites into their homes from the dirty outdoor environment.
“Washing and drying the bed linen at a high temperature (around 131 degrees Fahrenheit) will kill the mites, but the bed bugs may need to be exterminated by a professional,” says the microbiologist.
A messy house can lead to a dirty bed
The report also notes that items inside your own home can contribute to a germ infested bed. Bringing soiled clothes and towels into the bedroom can expose your bed to more germs, including S. aureus and E. coli bacteria.
“Improper washing can also spread these germs to other items, including our linens. Even diseases like gonorrhea can be transmitted through contaminated towels or sheets, ”Mohammed warns.
What are the best hygiene practices for your bed?
The study author explains that the best thing you can do to keep your bed clean is to wash yourself early and often. It can be difficult for most people to wash their sheets every day, but airing your sheets every morning can be helpful. Removing the blankets and exposing the sheets to the air makes your bed a less attractive nesting place for germs and insects.
In addition to washing your bedding every week to two weeks, the author also recommends vacuuming the mattress to remove allergens and excess dust. Also, never keep a bed too long. After 10 years, it’s time for a brand new mattress. Showering before bed and avoiding bed naps while you are sweaty will also reduce any germs you hunt down in your sheets. Finally, Dr. Mohammed recommends that people avoid eating in bed and leaving their pets in bed.
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