Summary
The article challenges the common advice of making your bed immediately upon waking, suggesting instead that it's more hygienic to air out your bed due to the accumulation of skin, sweat, and other bodily fluids during sleep.
Abstract
The author of the article, who is also a mom, refutes the popular habit-forming advice of making the bed as soon as one gets up, arguing that it's a gross practice given the human body's nocturnal activities. These include shedding skin, sweating, drooling, and potentially having sex, all of which contribute to a less-than-clean sleeping environment. The article emphasizes that washing jeans after a couple of wears is a common practice due to hygiene concerns, yet people often overlook the need to air out their beds. Citing scientific support, the author recommends flipping down the sheets, opening windows, and allowing the bed to dry out to reduce moisture and prevent dust mites from feasting on dead skin cells.
Opinions
- Making the bed in the morning is not as beneficial as commonly thought due to hygiene issues.
- The body's natural nighttime functions such as shedding skin and sweating contribute to a dirty bed.
- The author finds the idea of immediately making the bed after waking up to be unpleasant ("yuk!").
- The article suggests that airing out the bed is a more sanitary approach to bed maintenance.
- The author, as a mom, is also concerned about the cleanliness of her children's beds, considering the "goo" they might bring in.
- Scientific evidence is presented to support the claim that beds should be aired out to dry and to help mites and skin particles disperse.
