We spend a third of our lives in bed, so there is no doubt our beds might be dirtier than we think. For World Sleep Day (March 15th), the experts at MattressNextDay have revealed eight bed-cleaning hacks you definitely wish you’d known sooner.
1. You should NEVER make your bed as soon as you wake up
59% of people don’t make their bed, and rightly so according to experts. If you make your bed straight after you get out of bed, you should stop. 80% of household dust mites are made up of your own dead skin, meaning that you’re always producing more – even as you sleep.
Martin Seeley, sleep expert and CEO of MattressNextDay explains, “It is not a good idea to make your bed straight away when you wake up, as this traps the dust mites and bacteria which are naturally left behind after sleeping.
“Dust mites love the warmth of your bed, so in the morning, you should pull back your bed covers for 30 minutes and leave them to air and cool down, before you make your bed. This will lessen the chances of dust mites loitering in your bed, which can trigger allergies and cause congestion.”

2. Inner cushion pads soak up sweat, dust and skin, and should be washed regularly
“Every night, the average person sweats at least 200ml of liquid, which naturally seeps through to your duvet. So make sure to clean everything on your bed regularly, even things you don’t touch.
“It’s common to have separate ‘summer’ and ‘winter’ duvets for swapping. When transitioning, wash your duvet before storing it away. If you use the same duvet year-round, aim to wash it every six months. Wash your inner pillows every three months to remove sweat, dust, and skin buildup.”
3. Make sure to use skincare and body products at least 30 minutes before getting into bed
“Make sure you are using skincare and body products at least 30 minutes before bedtime. This ensures absorption by your skin rather than your bedding. Remember to wash your bedding weekly for freshness.”
4. Pillowcases should be changed twice a week – more than your duvet cover
“Your pillowcase can trap dirt, sweat and also the products you are putting on your skin before bed, so they should be cleaned more often than your duvet covers – around twice a week.”
5. If you sleep in your underwear, you should wash it at 60 degrees to prevent germs from spreading
It’s safe to wear underwear to bed, however, the NHS recommends that you wash your underwear at 60 degrees to prevent germs from spreading. Used pants can contain microbes which can cause urinary tract infections, thrush and more. You don’t want those kinds of microbes hanging around your bedding, do you?
6. You don’t need to wash your pyjamas every day
“If they are your only layer and you wear them for a long period of time, such as to work from home in the morning, it’s best to treat them as garments that should be washed daily. But, if you change straight out of them in the morning and they are your second layer, you can probably get a couple of nights’ wear out of them.”
7. You can clean your mattress with baking soda
“To really deep clean your mattress, which needs to be done at least twice a year, sprinkle baking soda over the mattress and leave this to sit for 2-3 hours. After this time has passed, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the baking soda. The baking soda will help to thoroughly deep clean the mattress by removing sweat and odours that sink into the mattress over time.”
8. A mattress protector doesn’t cover your mattress from dust mites
“Although mattress protectors are capable of protecting your mattresses from stains, spillages and other substances, they do not make your bed immune from dust mites and other allergens. It’s, therefore, important to clean your mattress every six months – using the change in the main seasons (summer and winter) as a reminder.”