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.

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.

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.

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.

As we step into the New Year, it's a great time to clean up our homes and get a fresh start. A survey by Cinch Home Services found that many people have been on a cleaning spree. According to the survey by the home warranty provider, 70.3% of respondents have engaged in a cleaning spree since the start of last year, with 62.6% expressing a "very or extremely" committed attitude toward maintaining cleanliness. Despite these efforts, 45.9% still admit feeling embarrassed about the current state of their living spaces.

In light of these findings, it's worth considering the impact of physical clutter on our cognitive processes. Researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and other brain-mapping tools, discovered that an abundance of objects in our visual fields hinders information processing. Essentially, the presence of too much stuff limits our ability to focus on the task at hand.

Additionally, a sleep study conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine revealed that people sleeping in cluttered rooms are more prone to developing sleep problems and are at a higher risk of developing hoarding disorders.

Recognizing the challenge of finding motivation for decluttering, The Spruce, a home and lifestyle website, provides helpful tips. They recommend using a decluttering checklist to simplify the process, making decisions about what to clear out more manageable. Additionally, using such a checklist allows you to track your progress by checking items off as you work through it. It’s a simple yet motivating and empowering act.

The Spruce recommends focusing on little victories instead of trying to tackle everything at once. This makes the whole process less overwhelming.

For more help, The Spruce breaks down which rooms to clean first and what items to get rid of in each room.  You can find their complete guide here.

Check out some of the top items below.

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.

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.

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.

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.