America’s Dirtiest Sleeping Habits Uncovered
Many of us want to believe that we’re the cleanest people in the world. But that may not be the case, no matter how true we want it to be. How hygienic is your bedtime routine? When you really think about it, many beds, pillowcases, and sheets have skin cells, sweat, and other body gunk, that were most likely brought in from the outside on clothing or skin. If not regularly cleaned, they accumulate a large amount of bacteria.
While most of us know that bed sheets should be washed weekly, mattresses should be flipped every now and then, and brushing your teeth before bed is important, some people fail to do any of it. MattressNextDay has uncovered the dirtiest sleeping habits of Americans. They surveyed 2,000 people across all 50 states to find out how hygienic the average person’s bedroom habits are.
Dirty Sheets
If you’re wondering how often you should wash your bedding, the answer is once a week. This is especially true in the summer months when the weather gets warmer. According to the study, not every person sticks to this. They found that 25% of people wash their sheets every two weeks, 5% every three, and one in 10 only switch to fresh sheets once a month.
More than half of those surveyed admitted to not washing before going to bed each night. And 32% admitted to not always washing their hands when they use the toilet at night. Imagine how much and how fast bacteria builds in your bed if you’re doing this.
Co-Sleeping Pet Parent
Two-thirds of people admit they’d let their pets sleep with them in bed, with a further one in ten saying they’d consider it. Three-quarters of dog owners admitted to their pooches sleeping with them, alongside 55% of cat owners. Bonding with your pet comes with benefits. These include relieving stress and providing comfort. One step you should take is making sure it doesn’t become unhygienic. Pets can bring unwanted kitty litter, muck, grime, or dirt to your bed.
Beds Are for Sleeping And…
The study points out that sex was only the third most popular activity on their list, with two-thirds stating it as something they get up to in bed. Meanwhile, the most popular activities like watching TV and scrolling on your phone aren’t causing a mess. They found that nearly half of Americans say they eat food in bed, with 21% saying they smoke or vape, and 11% saying they exercise. So, if you don’t want a build-up of stale food, ash, and sweat in your bed, you definitely need to prioritize cleaning your mattress, sheets, and duvet regularly.
Take a look at the complete study here.
Top Items to Kick Off This Year's Decluttering
Bathroom Declutter
Expired items take the lead on their bathroom decluttering agenda. This includes makeup that has expired or is no longer used, along with medicines and prescriptions that have reached their expiration date or are no longer necessary. Additionally, items like dried-out nail polish, skincare products, and makeup samples are on their bathroom declutter list.
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Bedroom Declutter
Paper clutter tops the list for decluttering the bedroom, followed by books that won’t be revisited and old magazines. It’s perfectly fine to part ways with these items, especially if they’ve been sitting around gathering dust. You can even opt for something digital instead of having paper as your go-to.
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Closet Declutter
A common decluttering challenge we all face is the overflowing closet. According to The Spruce, the first step is to address clothes that no longer fit. They also advise getting rid of items that haven’t been worn in over nine months.
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Kitchen Declutter
When it comes to your kitchen, duplicate kitchen tools take precedence on their decluttering list. This includes items like extra vegetable peelers, bottle openers, and garlic presses. They also recommend getting rid of appliances that you use only once a year or less. Yes, even if it’s that toaster oven collecting dust on your counter.
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