Why an Unmade Bed Is Healthier

Marc · 10-16-2007, 08:58 AM

Neatniks, cover your eyes. New research from Kingston University in the United Kingdom has concluded that an unmade bed is not only unappealing to the eyes, but also unappealing to house dust mites, which are thought to cause asthma and other allergies.

The average bed can be home to as many as 1.5 million house dust mites, and when a bed is made up, it traps moisture in the sheets and mattress--ideal conditions for those mites. But the bugs apparently have a harder time surviving in the drier conditions of an unmade bed, reports the BBC News.

The big takeaway: Since dust mites are a leading cause of allergies and asthma, keeping your bed unmade could keep you healthier.

House dust mites are less than a millimeter long and feed on the scales of human skin. They produce allergens which are easily inhaled during sleep. When we sleep, the bed becomes warm and even damp, conditions that help the house dust mites to grow and multiply. "We know that mites can only survive by taking in water from the atmosphere using small glands on the outside of their body," lead researcher Dr. Stephen Pretlove told the BBC News. "Something as simple as leaving a bed unmade during the day can remove moisture from the sheets and mattress so the mites will dehydrate and eventually die."

While house dust mites are a major cause of allergies and asthma, avoiding them is almost impossible. That's why the Kingston University scientists have developed a computer model to track how specific changes in the home, including heating, ventilation, and insulation, can reduce the number of dust mites in beds. They'll be testing it in 36 houses around the United Kingdom to determine how people's daily routines impact the mite population. The knowledge gained could help architects and builders create healthier homes.

Not everyone agrees it's possible to get rid of the critters. "It is true that mites need humid conditions to thrive and cannot survive in very dry, desert-like conditions," Andrew Wardlaw of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology told the BBC. "However, most homes in the UK are sufficiently humid for the mites to do well, and I find it hard to believe that simply not making your bed would have any impact on the overall humidity."

jessa · 10-16-2007, 11:02 AM

Sweet. My bed has less dust mites than those of you who are neat-freaks. SCORE!

Marc · 10-16-2007, 11:41 AM

mine too

The Wayniac · 10-16-2007, 05:47 PM

Have they heard of washing the sheets ?

Penelope · 02-07-2008, 12:46 PM

Geez, my husband makes the bed every work day and now either he or I make it on the weekends. I've always said "what's the point? So, it'll look nice if someone breaks in". "Oh look, how nice, they made the bed, now let's steal their shit".

guitarest · 02-12-2008, 12:51 AM

Wow, I make my bed in the morning but the dogs play on it so its generally unmade by afternoon and I also wash my sheet every weekend (Sunday night). Damn I'm going to make someone a wonderful wife one day..............

ssspert · 02-12-2008, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Wayniac

Have they heard of washing the sheets ?

Thats what I was thinking.
I wash our sheets once a week.
I have 3 other sets so I don't have to wait.
I generally don't make the bed unless we are expecting company, or if we don't feel like it we lock the bedroom door.

10-16-2007, 08:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
Marc Administrator GCB Senior Citizen Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The hearts of women everywhere. Age: 28 Posts: 2,705 Rep Power: 47	Why an Unmade Bed Is Healthier Neatniks, cover your eyes. New research from Kingston University in the United Kingdom has concluded that an unmade bed is not only unappealing to the eyes, but also unappealing to house dust mites, which are thought to cause asthma and other allergies. The average bed can be home to as many as 1.5 million house dust mites, and when a bed is made up, it traps moisture in the sheets and mattress--ideal conditions for those mites. But the bugs apparently have a harder time surviving in the drier conditions of an unmade bed, reports the BBC News. The big takeaway: Since dust mites are a leading cause of allergies and asthma, keeping your bed unmade could keep you healthier. House dust mites are less than a millimeter long and feed on the scales of human skin. They produce allergens which are easily inhaled during sleep. When we sleep, the bed becomes warm and even damp, conditions that help the house dust mites to grow and multiply. "We know that mites can only survive by taking in water from the atmosphere using small glands on the outside of their body," lead researcher Dr. Stephen Pretlove told the BBC News. "Something as simple as leaving a bed unmade during the day can remove moisture from the sheets and mattress so the mites will dehydrate and eventually die." While house dust mites are a major cause of allergies and asthma, avoiding them is almost impossible. That's why the Kingston University scientists have developed a computer model to track how specific changes in the home, including heating, ventilation, and insulation, can reduce the number of dust mites in beds. They'll be testing it in 36 houses around the United Kingdom to determine how people's daily routines impact the mite population. The knowledge gained could help architects and builders create healthier homes. Not everyone agrees it's possible to get rid of the critters. "It is true that mites need humid conditions to thrive and cannot survive in very dry, desert-like conditions," Andrew Wardlaw of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology told the BBC. "However, most homes in the UK are sufficiently humid for the mites to do well, and I find it hard to believe that simply not making your bed would have any impact on the overall humidity." __________________ GCB Myspace Need Guitar Tabs? Need Song Lyrics?

10-16-2007, 11:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
Marc Administrator GCB Senior Citizen Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The hearts of women everywhere. Age: 28 Posts: 2,705 Rep Power: 47	mine too __________________ GCB Myspace Need Guitar Tabs? Need Song Lyrics?

10-16-2007, 05:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
The Wayniac Moderator Band Whore Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mobile Posts: 804 Rep Power: 40	Have they heard of washing the sheets ? __________________ "Just go nuts with it." ~ Les Claypool

02-07-2008, 12:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
Penelope Band Whore Join Date: Jun 2005 Age: 3 Posts: 656 Rep Power: 41	Geez, my husband makes the bed every work day and now either he or I make it on the weekends. I've always said "what's the point? So, it'll look nice if someone breaks in". "Oh look, how nice, they made the bed, now let's steal their shit". __________________ The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep...

10-16-2007, 11:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
jessa The Beast Band Whore Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ocean Springs, you know, next to Biloxi Age: 20 Posts: 570 Rep Power: 10	Sweet. My bed has less dust mites than those of you who are neat-freaks. SCORE!

02-12-2008, 12:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
guitarest Band Whore Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ms Gulf Coast Posts: 294 Rep Power: 19	Wow, I make my bed in the morning but the dogs play on it so its generally unmade by afternoon and I also wash my sheet every weekend (Sunday night). Damn I'm going to make someone a wonderful wife one day..............