Making your bed in the morning could be a hygiene mistake, says microbiology professor

Professor Dirk Bockmühl, of hygiene and microbiology at the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences in Germany, said in an interview with "Die Welt" that covering or preparing the bedding immediately after waking up is a huge mistake.

The expert highlighted that we lose one to two liters of fluids daily, even overnight, despite not necessarily noticing.

If we remain under the duvet or wear long-sleeved pajamas, the sweat doesn't have a chance to evaporate. Therefore, it is crucial for the moisture to dissipate from the bed sheets and duvets in the morning.

Making the bed or covering the bedding early in the morning is a bad habit. Bacteria thrive in such conditions, as they reach the textiles and multiply thanks to the moisture. Therefore, it is beneficial to aerate the bed first, even opening the windows for a while — explains Professor Dirk Bockmühl.

Furthermore, the expert provided additional advice on hygienic practices for sleep:

• Though deciding between a morning or evening shower is subjective, it is more hygienic to wash off the day's grime and sweat before bedtime.

• Changing bedding every four weeks is hygienically sensible, but those with allergies, pet owners, and smokers should do it more frequently.

• Sleeping with pets exposes us to pathogens that can cause fungal infections.

• The material of the bedding doesn't significantly matter.

• It's important to trust our noses (i.e., promptly change textiles that begin to emit unpleasant odors) and avoid fabric softeners or perfumes when washing.

While some of these tips may be familiar (according to a TNS Polska survey conducted in 2016, only 7% of Poles change their bedding less frequently than once a month), airing out bedding after rising might be a surprise.

Possibly due to the morning rush, it's certainly more habitual to air bedding before bedtime. Perhaps it's time for a change.