Making your bed the minute you get up may feel like a hallmark of a productive morning, but experts say you should refrain. While you sleep, your body naturally releases sweat and heat, which get absorbed into your bedding. Sheets, blankets, and even mattresses can retain that moisture, especially during warmer months if you’re a hot sleeper. When you immediately make the bed, tucking everything in neatly, you trap moisture, heat and dust mites under the covers. That creates a humid, enclosed environment that dust mites love. These microscopic, insect-like creatures feed on dead skin cells and are among the most common household allergens, exacerbating asthma and triggering allergy symptoms in sensitive individuals. The best time to make your bed is after you’ve been up for 30-60 minutes. This allows trapped heat and sweat to escape, leaving your bedding drier and less welcoming to dust mites and bacteria. If possible, open a window or use a fan to promote airflow and speed up the drying process. This advice is not meant to encourage you to skip making your bed altogether — just postpone it a bit.
