7 Gross Things You're Probably Doing Wrong In The Bedroom

According to the National Sleep Foundation, you should be washing your pillow (not just the pillowcase, people) once every six months with hot water and mild detergent and using a protective case in-between. This will prevent a build-up of dead skin cells, oils, and other bacteria that can lead to dust mites and allergens that can cause harmful health issues. They also recommend replacing your pillow once every year or two after the pillow loses its shape and fluffiness to prevent neck and back problems.

According to a study done by mattress company Amerisleep, your sheets can contain 24,631 times more bacteria than your bathroom doorknob one week after washing. Can you just imagine how much more bacteria grows after multiple weeks?

Experts generally recommend washing your sheets weekly. While you may not get sick for sleeping in unwashed sheets night after night, you may be doing damage to your skin according to dermatologist Whitney Bowe, M.D. in an article for Self. She explained that the changes to your skin's microbiome due to sleeping in unwashed sheets can lead to acne.

I've definitely skipped one too many weeks (Ew. Yes, I know.) of washing my sheets when I've been too busy with all of my other wife, mom, and working person responsibilities to really care. However, knowing that this could be the very thing that is making those weird pimples on my shoulders keep popping up makes me seriously examine my sheet washing habits.

Out of sight, out of mind, right? If your bedroom has random things strewn about, your sleep habits might be impacted. In a piece for Psychology Today, psychologist Sherrie Bourg Carter said, "Clutter makes it more difficult to relax, both physically and mentally." Relaxation is essential for a restful night's sleep, so clearing the clutter in your bedroom to allow yourself to relax is key here.

The same can be said of electronic clutter in your bedroom, according to Dr. Lynelle Schneeberg, a sleep psychologist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. "The blue light from these devices can suppress the release of melatonin and potentially delay the onset of sleep. The best option is to remove all electronics from the bedroom (laptops, smart phones, televisions, game systems, and so on) and replace these with a great reading light and a basket of books you would look forward to reading, plus some magazines and puzzle books."

I'll remember to clean out my closet once in a blue moon, not realizing how much the mess of ill-fitting clothes piled up in the corner is impacting my mental health because I'm too pre-occupied with packing school lunches and helping with homework. But in reality, the mental load associated with a messy closet is one that just adds onto the already high burden moms carry. Research has shown that decluttering can have a profound impact on anxiety levels, so cleaning out your closet may just help lower your stress level.

A 2015 study published in the journal Sleep by clinical psychologist Pamela Thatcher suggests a link between poor sleep, poor mood and concentration, and hoarders. While I'm not saying that having a messy closet makes you a hoarder, I am saying that having tons of unorganized junk piled in your closet might be preventing you from being in a good head space. If you sort through your physical stuff and clear space in your closet, your mood may improve.

According to The National Sleep Foundation, you should be replacing your mattress every eight years. For years, I slept on a mattress that was passed down from my aunt to myself when I was in middle school — completely ignoring this sage expert advice because mattresses can be pricey. Little did I know that sleeping on an old mattress can cause back problems as the mattress begins to lose shape and spring, allergy issues when dust mites settle in after years of use.

The National Sleep Foundation also suggests that sleeping on an old mattress can cause chronic sleep disruptions due to general discomfort while sleeping, which can lead to a wide range of health problems as your immune system is not getting the support it needs from a good night's rest.

I'm seriously airing some of my own dirty laundry here by saying that I am terrible about keeping up with washing my own clothes. My kids' clothes get washed with great regularity, but I am guilty of letting my laundry pile up in a corner in my bedroom. According to a report by The Spruce, this could be causing allergy issues.

Additionally, that dirty clothes pile could be harboring dangerous bacteria. NBC News reported that norovirus can live on fabrics for weeks, so if you go too long without washing your clothes, you're putting yourself at risk.

Waking up thirsty is something I'm sure you've experienced at least a few times. But you should probably think twice before reaching for the glass of water that has been sitting on your bedside table for a while. Reader's Digest reported that bacteria from your own backwash can fester in the glass and drinking it after it has been sitting out could mean you're ingesting more bacteria than you initially deposited into the water.

Elizabeth Sherwin, M.D., FHRS., pediatric cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Children’s National Health System tells Romper that generally, drinking water that has just been out overnight should be fine, but does say that you may want to exercise caution in certain situations. "Water does not 'go bad' or need to be refrigerated. However, if you or someone else who was drinking out of that glass was sick, then bacteria could still be present on the glass. If there is pollution in the air or other things that could contaminate the water (such as a cat on the counter drinking out of the glass), then I would not recommend drinking the water the next day," she says.