The main reason you should never make your bed immediately after waking is to prevent creating a warm, moist environment that encourages the growth of dust mites and other allergens. When you sleep, you sweat and shed skin cells, which creates moisture in the bedding. Making the bed right away traps this moisture, providing a perfect breeding ground for dust mites that feed on dead skin and cause allergic reactions. Leaving the bed unmade for a few hours lets the sheets and mattress air out and dry, reducing dust mite populations by dehydration and helping keep the bedroom cleaner and healthier overall.
Additional points include:
- Beds that are left unmade revert to conditions unfavorable for dust mite multiplication because the exposure to air dries out moisture.
- Making the bed immediately can trap bodily fluids and grime from the night, worsening the environment for mites and microbes.
- There is also a physical health aspect: repetitive bed-making motions can lead to strain injuries, and the act itself can contribute to psychosocial stress in some cases.
- Experts recommend letting bedding air out for a few hours before making the bed to improve hygiene, along with regular washing of bedding in hot water and using allergen-proof covers.
In summary, it is healthier to leave the bed unmade for a while each morning to reduce moisture, limit dust mite populations, and air out the bedding before making it.
