The Sleep expo is coming up again this February, an exhibition I enjoyed attending last year. It is amazing to see how mattress manufacturers are thinking outside the box to innovate and create better sleeping comfort, after all, we are spending on average close to 3000 hours in our bed every year. The time spent in bed is very valuable. Comfort is of utmost importance. But there are other areas which are associated with comfort but are often overlooked.

Firstly, your bedroom should be an Oasis of calm, free of clutter and properly aired on a daily basis; a beautiful décor adds to the ambiance. Good quality sheets and bedding will certainly add to the sleep comfort. It is so important to wash the bedding on a regular basis, it is vital to your health and well-being. Ideally, sheets should be washed once a week. Taking our busy lifestyles in consideration, this might not always be possible, so every two weeks at least is a must.

Nowadays, sheets and duvet covers are non-iron. Popping them into the washing machine and putting them back on after drying is not so much of a big deal. This also included pillow cases. Beddings and pillows should be washed two to three times a year. If you use feather and down comforters, a specialized laundry will take care of them. Synthetic comforters and pillows can easily be washed in the washing machine at home, just read and follow the manufacturer instructions for washing and drying on the labels.

Not taking care of your bedding will eventually backfire on you as you will start feeling itchy. So, what’s hiding in your sheets if they are not washed on a regular basis? Dust mites for example. They are microscopic bugs that feed on organic matter such as dead skin cells. They inevitably invade our beds due to the fact that we shed close to a million skin cells daily. Dust mites become the dangerous culprits of asthma and a lowered immune system.

There is also sweat as your body emits sweat throughout the night. If you have a pet, chances might be that you harbor pet hairs in between your sheets, again this can aggravate allergies and coughing. While eating in bed seems to be fun at times, unfortunately food leaves crumbs behind and crumbs attract bugs. A common remedy to lessen the potential of having dust mites in between your sheets is to wash them really on a regular basis. People often forget the importance of maintaining their mattresses.

Mattresses must be turned on a regular basis, this routine ensures that the mattress has a longer life. It is also wise to invest in a good mattress encasement. These encasements protect the mattresses from unwanted dirt entering. Encasements are also available for pillows. A pillow which maintains its freshness ensures a better sleep.

About the Author:

Tatjana Ahmed is the Chairwoman of the UAE Professional Housekeepers’ Group. She is also the Housekeeping Manager, Grand Hyatt Dubai and a Functional Specialist with the group.