From pillow to mattress: learn how to take care of your bed’s hygiene

Keeping your bed clean is essential not only for comfort, but also for your health, especially for those who suffer from respiratory allergies.

The bed, where we spend about a third of our lives, can accumulate a significant amount of mites, fungi and other allergens that can trigger health problems. Regularly changing and sanitizing pillows, sheets, duvets and mattresses is a crucial practice to avoid asthma attacks, rhinitis and other allergies.

Dust mites feed on skin debris and thrive in warm, humid environments, making bedding a prime place for them to thrive. These microorganisms and their feces are the main causes of respiratory allergies . Furthermore, the presence of fungi, especially in poorly ventilated or highly humid environments, can further aggravate respiratory problems.

Below are practical recommendations on how often to change and clean your bedding, based on guidance from specialists in pulmonology and infectious diseases. Following these guidelines will help keep your bed clean and healthy, providing a safe and comfortable sleeping environment.

Pillows

Pillows should be changed annually. Over time, they accumulate dust mites – more than 300,000 in six months – which feed on skin debris.

To reduce this build-up, it is important to wash pillowcases weekly and vacuum pillows with high-powered vacuum cleaners equipped with EPA filters weekly or biweekly.

According to Larissa Cau Carlet, pulmonologist and allergist at the Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual (HSPE), stains or mold indicate the need for immediate replacement.

Sheets and pillowcases

Sheets and pillowcases need to be washed weekly in hot water to eliminate dust mites and bacteria.

This practice is essential to keep the environment safe for people with allergies. “It is recommended that sheets, pillowcases and duvets be changed at least once a week, for clean ones,” advises Carlet.

Duvets and blankets

Duvets and blankets should be washed every six months to a year, depending on usage and environmental conditions. Using dust mite covers can provide an additional layer of protection.

These items should be washed following the manufacturer’s instructions, preferably in specialized laundries.

Mattresses

Cleaning mattresses every six months to a year is essential, especially if you have pets at home. Specialized companies should be consulted to clean mattresses to avoid using toxic products that can harm the health of people with respiratory diseases.

“Most mattresses should be replaced every 10 years, both for infectious and orthopedic problems,” explains Silvio Bertini, coordinator and infectious disease specialist at Hospital Japonês Santa Cruz, in São Paulo.

Room environments and items

Keeping the room clean and well-ventilated is crucial. Use a vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth to clean, avoiding sweeping, as this suspends dust and mites in the air.

Fungus and mold on walls should be removed immediately to prevent exacerbations of asthma and rhinitis.

“Carpets, rugs, curtains and cushions should be avoided in the homes of patients with respiratory allergies, as these objects can accumulate dust, mites and mold,” emphasizes Carlet.

Health risks

Failure to properly clean bedding items can pose significant health risks in the short and long term. The presence of dust mites and fungi can trigger asthma attacks, rhinitis and other allergies.

Keeping your bed and surroundings clean is crucial to preventing these attacks and ensuring a healthy, restful sleep. “The problem is not the mites themselves, but their feces, which end up causing allergies,” warns Bertini. In addition, keeping the bedroom well ventilated and dust-free is essential for a healthy environment.

Lack of sleep makes you feel older, study says