Experts say the bacteria you sleep with could be causing infections

Did you know that contagious bacteria, including E. Coli, could be living in your mattress? This is alongside 10 million mites and Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause skin infections and, in some cases, pneumonia.

Plus, your seemingly harmless bedtime habits could be making things worse. That’s according to the experts at MattressNextDay, who say there are four things you can do to avoid problems.

Four habits to improve sleep hygiene

Always air your bed for 30 minutes when you wake up and change your bedding weekly

You should air your bed every morning without fail. As mentioned, dust mites and bacteria love your mattress, but cold air and light are the opposite of what they need. So once you get out of bed, peel off the duvet and air the bedding for 30 minutes instead of doing it right away.

If you can let it air longer, great, but 30 minutes should do the trick. Just leave it unmade while you get ready for the day, and once aired, you can then make the bed.

Never eat or drink in bed and avoid putting anything wet on the mattress

Eating and drinking in bed can attract unwanted attention to your bed, namely from flies, ants, bed bugs and even cockroaches. Given that we’ve found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa can live on your socks, which is commonly found on cockroaches and in their faeces, you should be aware if you eat in bed (and wear your socks in bed).

Eating while you sleep can also affect your sleep as it can put you at increased risk of acid reflux, keeping you up all night. Ideally, eat about three hours before bed and always put drinks on the bedside table to avoid any spills on the mattress.

Change into loose underwear before bed to avoid canker sores and other infections

Do you sleep in underwear or pajamas when you try to sleep? This could lead to infection, irritation and discomfort, affecting your ability to sleep well.

If the material of your underwear is too tight, especially if its material is synthetic, bacteria have the opportunity to grow, which can lead to infections such as canker sores, which affect your ability to sleep comfortably. Instead, when you sleep, opt for loose underwear.

Shower before bed if you tend to sweat a lot at night to keep bacteria from growing

Showering at night ensures you’re clean when you go to bed – essential if you tend to sweat a lot during the night. Sweat can build up and lead to dampness in the bed, which can help bacteria grow, especially if you don’t air out your bed.

Ideally, take a shower right before bed, as changing the temperature from a hot shower to a cold room can also lower your body temperature. Your body naturally lowers its temperature when you sleep, so this drop should help you fall into deep sleep faster.

MattressNextDay wants to know your bedtime habits – no matter how gross – to reveal how you can improve your sleep hygiene and how your habits compare to others around the world. To use the tool, simply select your age range and location from the drop-down menu and then answer ten questions about your sleeping habits. After you’re done, the tool will share tips on what you can do to make your mattress and bed last as long as possible.