Spring Cleaning: Bedroom Edition
A new season means it’s time for a bedroom refresh. Seasonal updates to your bedding will not only transform the look, but they can also help create a cleaner, more comfortable sleep space. As you start spring cleaning this year, make sure to add your bed to the list for fresher, cleaner, deeper sleep.
How and When to Clean Your Bedding
The first step to a true seasonal refresh is to wash and/or update your bedding. Unfortunately, many Americans don’t wash their bedding often enough, causing a buildup of allergens and odors. Spring cleaning is a great time to deep clean your entire sleep space and get back into the habit of regularly cleaning your bedding.
Caring for your sheets:
- Ideally, this should be done about once a week (maybe even more if you suffer from allergies or tend to sleep warm).
- Pre-treat any stains before you launder your sheets. Try to avoid using bleach when possible so you don’t do any damage to the fabric.
- Carefully follow your sheet’s fabric care label when washing and drying.
- Once washed, be sure to store any extra sheets in a dark, dry space to avoid allergens, humidity, and discoloration.
How often to wash other types of bedding:
- Wash duvet covers every 2-4 weeks.
- Wash mattress and pillow protectors every 1-2 months.
- Wash blankets, coverlets, and comforters every 2-3 months.
- Wash pillows (if washable) every 4-6 months.
Keeping Your Mattress Clean
Regularly cleaning your sleep space is a great way to keep seasonal allergies at bay, and it can also help to extend the lifespan of your mattress. It is always good to double-check any labels and cleaning directions, as some warranties can be voided if the detailed cleaning instructions have not been followed.
How to deep clean your mattress:Vacuum your mattress with the upholstery attachment to eliminate dust and debris.
- Lightly spot-clean any stains on your mattress. Try to avoid over-soaking or getting your mattress too wet.
- Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over your mattress, and let it sit for a few hours. This helps absorb moisture in your mattress and neutralize any odors.
- After a few hours, vacuum once again, removing the baking soda from your mattress.
- Flip your mattress over and repeat!
If you’re looking for an easy solution to keep your mattress clean and allergy-friendly, we suggest investing in a quality mattress protector. This will not only keep your mattress fresh, but it can also offer protection from moisture, allergens, and irritants year-round (and even protect your warranty!).
Preparing for Warmer Weather
As we enter spring and find ourselves excited for the warmer weather, it’s also important to prep our sleep space to avoid sweaty nights. Did you know that the temperature in your sleep space is one of the largest factors in your quality of sleep? When you’re too hot (or too cold) while you sleep, it impacts your body’s ability to get deep sleep, and you may find yourself waking up more throughout the night.
Using bedding that is thermoregulating or has cooling properties as the weather starts to warm up can help to maintain a comfortable sleep temperature and achieve deeper, more restful sleep.
If you find yourself sweating throughout the night, it’s also important to remember to clean your sheets and mattress often. This will help avoid the growth of mold and bacteria as well as unwanted odors.
Sources
“Allergies, Asthma, and Dust.” MedlinePlus. medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000487.htm
“Effects of Thermal Environment on Sleep and Circadian Rhythm.” National Library of Medicine. ncbi.nlm.nih/pmc/articles/PMC3427038/#:~:text=In%20real%2Dlife%20situations%20where,affects%20sleep%20stages%20and%20thermoregulation.
“How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets?” Sleep Foundation. sleepfoundation/best-sheets/how-often-should-you-wash-your-sheets
“How to Clean a Mattress.” Sleep Foundation. sleepfoundation/best-mattress/how-to-clean-a-mattress
“Indoor Allergens.” American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. www.aaaai/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/indoor-allergens-ttr
“Mattress Cleanliness: The Role of Monitoring and Maintenance.” National Library of Medicine. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/22584653/
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