Bacteria in Your Bed

The Surprising Truth About Your Bedding

Your bed may feel like the safest, cleanest place in your home, but looks can be deceiving. A recent analysis of bedding at different stages since the last wash revealed staggering amounts of bacteria.

After just one week, pillowcases and sheets contain between three and five million CFUs (colony-forming units) per square inch. By the fourth week, that number jumps to nearly 12 million CFUs. To put it in perspective, pillowcases washed only a week ago carry over 17,000 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.

Bacteria in Sheets vs. Pillowcases

Not all bedding harbours the same types of germs. Sheets and pillowcases collect bacteria differently:

• Sheets contained the highest levels of gram-negative rods (42%) and gram-positive rods (27%).

• Pillowcases carried more bacilli (25%) and gram-positive cocci (12%).

Some of these bacteria are harmless, but others, like bacilli and gram-positive cocci, can cause illnesses, ranging from skin infections to pneumonia.

Why It Matters

Think about what you carry into bed each night: makeup, sweat, skin oils, pet dander, and germs from the day. Over time, these create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. For those who are immunocompromised, prone to allergies, or simply looking to improve their overall health, this buildup can be concerning.

How to Keep Your Bed Clean and Healthy

Fortunately, a few simple changes can help reduce bacterial build-up:

• Wash bedding weekly. More often if you wear makeup to bed or exercise before sleeping.

• Replace mattresses every 7 years. An old mattress can harbour millions of bacteria, dust mites, and allergens.

• Change pillows regularly. Depending on the type, replace every 1–2 years.

• Clean bedding after illness. Wash sheets and pillowcases frequently when recovering to stop germs from lingering.

• Shower before bed. Especially if you’ve had a germ-filled day, this helps keep your bed fresher, and may even improve sleep quality.

Final Thoughts

Sleeping on millions of bacteria might sound unsettling, but awareness empowers you to take action. By adopting good sleep hygiene and regular cleaning habits, you can ensure your bed is truly a place of rest, not a breeding ground for germs.

Source:
(Certified Sleep Science Coach & Writer on Sleep Health)
Last Updated: September 18th, 2024