If you keep these things under your bed, you're at risk of bed bugs — 5 things experts warn not to store near your mattress

The space beneath your bed is an enticing area to hide unneeded items but this 'out of sight, out of mind' storage solution might be bad news for your sleep health... as well as turning your room into a haven for bed bugs.

Because let's be honest, when something goes under your bed, how often do you get it out? This forgotten clutter is a magnet for dust and dust mites, and all kinds of creepy crawlies.

Storing things under the bed also makes it harder to keep your mattress clean, particularly if bulky items are preventing air circulation. And if you've invested in one of this year's best mattresses, you don't want your long-discarded socks to be the reason it needs replacing...

5 things to remove from under your bed....

"Clear away clutter such as newspapers, cardboard boxes, or laundry piles, which provide hiding spots [for pests]" advises Adham Perriseau, Licensed Pest Management Professional & Eco Solutions Specialist at Dr. Killigan’s Natural Pest Control Products.

Here's how to get started...

1. Linens and fabrics

Textiles don't show the dust as much as plastic and smooth surfaces, but if you've ever experienced the dust explosion of shaking out a forgotten blanket, you'll know looks can be deceiving.

Dust settles into the surface of fabrics, which is why even clean-looking sheets and clothing can be ground zero for dust mites.

“The fewer places dust has to land, the fewer spots dust mites have to breed,” explained Nigel Bearman, managing director at Daily Poppins, when we asked him how to remove dust from your bedroom.

The dark folds of fabrics also provide a convenient hiding place for bed bugs. Bed bugs like the dark and the cluttered under-space of your bed is the perfect place for bed bugs to call home. And once bed bugs have moved in, they're hard to get out.

So next time you go to kick last week's socks under the bed, remember that the few seconds it takes to put them away can save you a lot of hassle down the line.

2. Cardboard or paper

Okay, so you're not going to keep fabrics tucked under the bed anymore. Surely storing them in a cardboard box is a sensible solution?

Unfortunately, no. Some pests, including silverfish and certain moths, actually consider paper a food source, meaning your cardboard storage isn't quite the critter deterrent you hoped it was.

And while it's not their favorite dinner, cockroaches have also been known to nibble on cardboard.

3. Electronics

Let's take a quick break from creepy crawlies to discuss another hazard of uncovered under the bed storage: old tech.

Left under the bed, electronics will start to gather dust (and can even attract dust at a high rate, due to the static electricity.)

This is bad news for your electronics, as the build of dust can impair their performance. But it also poses a risk to your wellbeing; dusty electronics can become a fire risk.

4. Bulky items

“Ventilation is key when it comes to keeping your bed a fresh sleeping environment," advises George Sfintescu from specialist bed manufacturer Get Laid Beds.

Big, bulky items kept under the bed prevent air from moving freely through the mattress. This can cause moisture from sweat to become trapped in the materials, potentially leading to mattress mold.

Bulky items also make it harder to vacuum under the mattress, once again leading to a build up of dust and dust mites.

5. Shoes

If you're used to getting home and kicking your shoes under the bed, we suggest you find another storage solution.

For a start, research from the University of Arizona found regularly worn shoes collect an average of 421,000 units of bacteria. That's a lot of bacteria to have hanging around your bed.

And if you're storing out-of-season shoes under your bed, they contain numerous crooks and crannies for dust (and dust mites) to lurk... as well as even more appealing dark places for bed bugs to hide in.

How to keep your mattress clean

Cleaning your mattress can both extend the life of your bed and create a healthier sleep environment. While we do recommend occasionally deep cleaning your mattress, upkeep doesn't have to be difficult, just frequent:

• Wash your sheets roughly once a week
• Let your mattress breathe by regularly leaving it uncovered
• Invest in a mattress protector or mattress encasement
• Clean spills as soon as they occur
• Regularly vacuum your bed, including the mattress, bed frame, and space around and beneath the bed
• If you are storing items under the bed, place them in sealed plastic containers and regularly dust the containers

By regularly following the above steps, you can keep your mattress in good condition for longer (and hopefully avoid the nightmare of getting rid of bed bugs.)