Beyond Cosmetics
There is no denying the importance of maintaining a clean home in your overall health and peace of mind. While we are all aware of bacteria in the kitchen and bathroom, many people pay less attention to other rooms of the home. Since these rooms appear cleaner than the kitchen or bathroom, there is potential for an unsafe and dirty bedroom to become part of your home.
Here are a few things you need to know about this matter. A dirty bedroom is about more than an untidy space with clothes on the floor. The simple fact of the matter is that your bedroom can quickly become full of nasty bacteria, microbes, bugs, and other unpleasant side effects of not properly cleaning. When it comes to a dirty home, it is about more than the cosmetic effect. There have been countless studies performed which look at how bacteria in the home can lead to higher instances of common colds, skin infections, and upper respiratory conditions. There are a few areas to pay attention to, in particular, to ensure a safe, clean home environment in this important room.
Bed Linens
There are several issues when people don’t change their sheets often enough. When you sleep, you sweat, which creates moisture. This moisture seeps into your sheets to create bacteria and mold, which can sink into your mattress and mattress pad. It is recommended to change your sheets at least once a week to avoid this buildup of bacteria.
Another matter of bedding to think about in terms of a dirty bedroom is the type of pillows and bedding you use. Some types of bedding are considered cleaner and healthier than others. For example, wool fills are considered better for maintaining a clean space. Certain types of materials are known to harbor moisture, bacteria, and dust mites. All of these elements can irritate your allergies, lead to illnesses, and make your home less clean. Wool is naturally hypoallergenic, so it is an ideal fill for pillows, comforters, and mattress toppers.
The chemicals in your mattress can lead to allergic reactions that flare up while you sleep.
Mattress and Frame
The mattress can also become an infestation of bugs, dirt, and bacteria. Choosing all-natural products can help reduce this concern greatly. Since many mattresses are sprayed with chemicals, they can give you a dirty bedroom in a few ways. The chemicals in your mattress can lead to allergic reactions that flare up while you sleep. These reactions can present themselves as skin irritations or allergies, such as a runny nose, runny eyes, and even trouble breathing. The materials used in these chemically-treated mattresses can sometimes harbor dust mites, bacteria, and even bed bugs in ways organic, natural solutions are made to prevent.
The bed frame also matters in creating a clean home. The woods can be stained with harmful lacquers, which irritate your allergies further. They can also contribute to air pollution in space.
Air
The bad elements trapped in your bedding can travel to the air. When you breathe in the air full of dust and bacteria, you are risking your health, especially if you already suffer from allergies, asthma, or upper respiratory concerns. Even if you don’t experience these problems, clean air is still important and linked with improved sleep and overall better health.
While the first step in achieving healthier air is to maintain a clean space with all-natural products designed to reduce dirt, dust, and bacteria, you can improve the air quality even more with an air purifier. These items can treat a large space by filtering the air through a series of filters to remove any impurities, including dust and bacteria, to keep the air healthier. It also helps to keep up with the necessary dusting and vacuuming to get the cleanest space possible combined with these other clean-living solutions.
Simple Weekly Maintenance
Taking 20-30 minutes each week to check off these five items will help to ensure your bedroom never gets scary.
- Wash bed linens.
- Pick up trash.
- Hang up clothes, or toss in the laundry as needed.
- Dust dressers, nightstands, and other flat surfaces.
- Vacuum or mop traffic areas.
For more thorough cleaning, check out our seasonal bedroom cleaning checklist.
When it comes to the difference between a dirty bedroom and a healthy one, it is a careful mix of choosing the right solutions and doing weekly chores. With these insights on achieving clean, healthy living, create a safe home space perfect for a relaxing night of rest!
FAQs
A messy room can create stress and other negative emotions, leading to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Research shows that living in a chaotic environment affects our emotions, behavior, relationships, and even our eating habits.
What happens if your bedroom is not cleaned properly? ›
A cluttered room can lead to dust accumulation, allergies, and even pest infestations. It can also contribute to increased stress and anxiety, making it challenging to relax and focus. Moreover, neglecting room cleaning can have social implications and even impact your physical health.
Can a dirty bedroom cause sickness? ›
If you leave your room unclean and unorganized, it can turn out as a real haven for bacteria growth that can make you sick. Make sure to clean hard-to-reach places because that's where they'll often be.
What is the messy room theory? ›
According to Vohs, one study found that subjects in a messy room were capable of solving brain teasers more quickly than those seated in an organized room. The scientist Albert Einstein, famous for his genius and creative thinking, was known for having a messy desk.
What happens if you don't clean under your bed? ›
And if left undisturbed, it also becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, dust mites, and different harmful pathogens. While you sleep, you're left exposed to that unsanitary air. Breathing it in can make you sick, especially if it's left to build up over time. That's why it's important to vacuum underneath your bed.
What is the harm if the room is dirty? ›
When you breathe in the air full of dust and bacteria, you are risking your health, especially if you already suffer from allergies, asthma, or upper respiratory concerns. Even if you don't experience these problems, clean air is still important and linked with improved sleep and overall better health.
Why is a clean bedroom important? ›
A clean bedroom is directly connected to better sleep and better health. Studies show that cluttered rooms can make it harder and longer for people to fall asleep, whereas people calm down, and have lower levels of stress in clean rooms, making it easier to fall asleep.
What happens if you never dust? ›
Dust and allergens accumulate over time, exacerbating asthma and allergies. These particles can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, even in healthy individuals. Mould spores can multiply in damp conditions, leading to respiratory problems and other health issues, especially for those with weakened immune systems.
What happens if you don't clean your bed? ›
Over time, invisible pests like bacteria and dust mites can also accumulate on your bedding. These contaminants may not just be unsettling to think about as you crawl into bed. Sleeping on dirty bedding could have some health consequences, such as skin breakouts, allergy attacks and even fungal infections.
How do you tell if your room is making you sick? ›
If you're experiencing allergies, persistent headaches, chronic fatigue, or respiratory issues, it could be a sign that your house is making you sick.
How a messy bedroom affects sleep. A messy, cluttered bedroom can affect you more than you might think, especially when it comes to bedtime. In fact, a study, conducted by New York's St. Lawrence University, revealed that a messy bedroom can lead to a poor night's sleep and increased anxiety.
Can a dirty room cause bed bugs? ›
Reality: Bed bugs are not attracted to dirt and grime; they are attracted to warmth, blood and carbon dioxide. However, clutter offers more hiding spots. Myth: Bed bugs transmit diseases. Reality: There have been no cases or studies that indicate bed bugs transmit diseases between humans.
What did Einstein say about messy rooms? ›
It's a mess, and he liked it that way. When asked about his messy desk, Einstein remarked “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, then what are we to think of an empty desk?”
What is it called when someone doesn't clean their house? ›
Messy house syndrome, also called “Diogenes syndrome,” might be more commonly known as “hoarding.” Those with messy house syndrome might be called “messies” or “hoarders.” They struggle to clean up or declutter their home due to underlying physical or mental health issues.
What does a clean room say about you? ›
It signals proactivity, organisation and independence. Having a clean home allows you to think clearly without clutter distracting your thoughts. It also means dust mites, bacteria and other germs will be kept at bay, protecting both your physical and mental health.
What does a messy room say about a person? ›
Psychologically, a messy room can represent:
A disorganized mind. Feeling overwhelmed. Difficulty letting go (common for hoarding behaviors) Trouble focusing on a task.
What are the cons of having a dirty room? ›
5 Hidden Dangers of a Dirty House
- Skin Irritations. Your bedsheets might look and smell clean after weeks or even months. ...
- Allergies and Infections. It's important that you disinfect and sanitize your home. ...
- Food Poisoning. One of the biggest reasons to clean your home is to avoid getting sick. ...
- Injuries. ...
- Mental Health Issues.
A dirty house is a hub of bacteria, viruses, mould and other illness-causing pathogens. You can get sick frequently due to them and suffer from stress or anxiety when your home is messy.
