- Dust mites: You’ve probably seen the scary photos of these microscopic organisms that live in your bed and feed on your dead skin cells like a Sunday brunch buffet. These creepy bugs live and reproduce in the bed where you sleep and can cause allergies as well as lowered immunity. Washing your bed sheets on a regular basis is the best preventive action you can take to controlling the existence of dust mites in your bed.
- Other gross stuff: While toxins and dust mites are likely causes of allergies, asthma or lowered immune system concerns, there are other disturbing finds between your sheets. These various substances can cause an increase in the incidence of dust mites and may increase the likelihood that you will become ill. Dead skin cells are a definite presence in the sheets and attract dust mites, so it’s important to keep the sheets clean to minimize these nasty little bugs. In addition, you are probably sleeping at any given time on sheets that contain oils from your skin, sweat, bodily fluids and (if you eat in bed) food crumbs. All of these substances are fairly benign when it comes to causing any serious health issues, but it is best to keep your sheets clean to avoid sleeping in a less-than-fresh bed.
Proper care and cleaning of your bedding can greatly improve the chances that you are not sleeping with allergens or bugs (well, at least not too many bugs). Regular care of your bed sheets, blankets, comforters and pillows can help make your bed the sanctuary it’s meant to be!
The following instructions will help you care for your bedding.
- Sheets: Wash sheets in hot, soapy water and dry them completely in the dryer. Don’t wash sheets with clothes and use medium to low settings to keep from damaging the fibers. Lemon juice added to the water (about a quarter of a cup) can help brighten sheets.