Bedroom Spring Cleaning for Better Sleep: Why a Clean Bedroom can Improve Sleep Quality

Our bedrooms are places of rest and relaxation. Our sanctuary from the stresses of the modern world and the space we spend around 33% of our lives. But us Brits may not be taking care of them as we should.

Our latest research suggests that there is a direct correlation between how often you clean your bedroom and your sleep satisfaction. Over 50% of Brits admit that when their bed is dirty, they struggle to sleep, and those who clean their bedroom every week sleep much better than those who do so only every 2-3 months. 

So, how much do our dirty beds and cluttered bedrooms really affect us?

Clean bedroom = better sleep

Our latest survey reveals that those who only cleaned their mattress every 5.4 months got around 3 hours of sleep per night. At the same time, people who hadn’t washed their duvets for more than 3 months lost an average of 14 hours of sleep per week!

37% of us know we should be making the effort to clean our bedroom, but over a third admit that the big bedroom spring clean often falls to the bottom of their to-do list, with other rooms in the house taking priority.

1 in 4 don’t know how to clean their duvets and pillows, with the same number also claiming that they didn’t know their mattress needed to be cleaned regularly as part of their bedroom cleaning routine.

But it turns out that a clean and tidy bedroom is vital, and that there could be quite a simple way to improve the quality of our rest.

According to our Head Buyer Pam Johnson, not cleaning our bed and mattress on a regular basis could be affecting our sleep.

“Investing in a good mattress, duvet and pillow is vital for your sleep quality, but once you have them, maintaining cleanliness and keeping your bedroom tidy is equally as important. We sleep on our mattresses for several hours every night, so they are bound to get a little dirty after a while. Hair, pet fur, dust and dirt can build up over time, which in turn, can create an uncomfortable sleeping environment – creating a breeding ground for skin irritations, allergies and respiratory issues.”

"People prioritise what they think is urgent and because your bed doesn’t look visibly dirty, it is washed less but it’s clear that us Brits need to have a serious bedroom spring clean.”

Johnson recommends adding a mattress maintenance task to your weekly bedroom cleaning routine to keep it clean and fresh.    

“If you want to keep your bed in great condition then it’s crucial to allow your mattress to breathe. All mattresses benefit from airing and it’s something that should be worked into a regular maintenance routine. Letting your mattress breathe improves airflow, helping moisture, bacteria, and dust to dissipate.

“To air a mattress, all you need to do is remove the bedding, gently brush the surface of the mattress, then open up the windows and let the air circulate.”

How to clean a mattress

To clean your mattress, Johnson recommends brushing the surface with a soft brush every week, using small, circular motions. This will help to make sure that all the dust, dirt, dead skin and hair is lifted. Some experts recommend using a vacuum cleaner to do this, however, we don’t as it has the potential to disturb the filling.

Once the surface of your mattress is dry and stain-free, sprinkle some baking soda over it to help eliminate odours. If possible, leave it for a couple of hours to get the freshest results before brushing it off. For double-sided mattresses, flip them over and repeat these steps before remaking your bed with your fresh bedding. 

Using a mattress protector on top of your mattress can be very effective in helping protect it from sweat, dust and debris. 

Washing duvets & pillows

Ideally, Brits should be washing their duvets and pillows at least every 3 to 6 months, and even more often if they tend to invite their pets into their bed.

Most duvets can be washed in the washing machine. However, make sure you check the washing instructions on the label beforehand. If you do not have access to a washing machine or your duvet doesn’t fit, then handwashing it in a bathtub or visiting a launderette is a good solution.

How to wash a synthetic duvet

The majority of synthetic duvets can be washed at 60⁰C, which is enough to kill off dust mites and get it clean. Use around a third of the usual amount of detergent you would for a full load of clothing and set your machine to a regular spin cycle.

Once the wash is complete, remove the damp duvet and shake it so the filling is evened out before drying. Some can be tumble-dried, but check the care instructions first.

How to wash a natural or feather duvet

You can usually wash natural and feather duvets in a machine, but they do need more care and attention than a synthetic one. 

Wool duvets can typically be washed on a wool cycle with wool-friendly detergent, followed by a spin dry to release any held water afterward. However, wool products almost certainly can’t be tumble-dried.

Feather duvets should be washed with a small amount of mild detergent on a gentle, warm cycle. Don't use any bleach or brightener, and consider putting in one or two washing balls (or tennis balls) to ensure the feathers remain evenly packed. Allow feather duvets to dry naturally.

Wash your pillows every 6 months

Pillows can collect lots of dirt, oils, bacteria, dead skin cells, and dust mites, which can all start to break down the filling and make your pillow less supportive. What’s more, hair products, skin creams and other cosmetics we use can also find their way into our pillows. Check out our dedicated blog post on how to know if it's time to replace your pillows here.

That means they need regular cleaning. As a general guideline:

• Synthetic pillows: Wash every 6-12 months.
• Feather or down pillows: Clean every 6 months.
• Memory foam pillows: Spot clean regularly and wash fully every 6 months.

Most pillows can be washed in some way, whether that’s in a washing machine or by spot cleaning, but you should always check the label to find out the best method for your type of pillow.

How to clean pillows In a washing machine:

• Shake the pillows to get rid of any dust.

• Load two pillows into the washing machine to make sure weight is distributed evenly and the washing machine spins correctly.

• Add washing powder. It’s a good idea to add some laundry cleanser to the machine, as this kills up to 99.9% of bacteria, keeping your pillows extra clean.

• Wash according to the care label and add an extra rinse cycle to remove all soap.

• Set the washing machine to do a slow 400 – 600 RPM spin first, as some machines struggle to spin heavy wet pillows at high speed. Spin again at 1200+ RPM to remove more of the water.

• Remove the pillows and shake to redistribute the filling.

• If possible, dry the pillows naturally. 

It’s vital to ensure that all pillows and duvets are completely dry before reusing them to reduce the risk of dampness breeding mould, which can lead to health problems.

 

Alongside your bedroom spring clean, keeping it tidy and clutter-free throughout the year can help make it a sleep sanctuary. For more expert advice on sleep solutions for spring, visit the Bensons for Beds Sleep Hub

Sources:

1. https://www.persil.com/uk/laundry/laundry-tips/fabrics/washing-duvets-and-quilts.html