Should you leave your bed unmade if you're not home for the holidays? A bedding expert answers

Features
By published

Leaving your bed bare vs freshly made — I’m a bedding expert, here’s what I do

Utopia Bedding Sheet set
(Image credit: Future)

Heading out of town for the holidays and not sure what to do about your bed? Do you strip it completely or dress it in freshly washed linens before you leave?

You might already sit firmly in one camp or the other but as someone who writes about bedding for a living and is excited about an upcoming Christmas break, this kind of question is something I give a lot of thought to.

Leaving your bed bare

Pros: Kills off dust mites

Our bodies lose 0.5 to one liter of water through our pores during the seven to nine hours of sleep we get during the night. Plus, our bed also collects dead skin cells, natural body oils and sweat every single day, no matter the season or the weather.

A man and a woman stand either side of a bed, adjusting the bedding.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Various studies show that making your bed immediately after you get up can actually trap all of the above in your mattress, resulting in a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, dust mites and other allergens.

Leaving your bed bare, on the other hand, exposes your mattress to natural air and sunlight, allowing it to breathe and reducing the risk your bed becomes a dream environment for all the nasty bugs which would otherwise be free to populate while you're away.

Cons: Inconvenient

The sight of an unmade bed is probably the last thing you want waiting for you back home, especially after a long trip.

In addition to unpacking and getting the rest of the things at home in order, layering your bed from scratch might feel like a herculean task when all you want to do is crash out.

Freshly making your bed before you leave

A minimalist bedroom in natural light with cream sheets and bedding, and two lit lamps on either of the bed

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Pro: You can dive into bed as soon as you return

Dressing your bed in newly washed sheets before you leave reduces the post-trip work load. This means you can curl up on a clean bed as soon as you reach home, without having to worry about replacing the sheets.

You also don't need to worry about your dead skin cells, sweat, drool and body oils stewing and seeping into the mattress when it's not in use, since it's been draped in freshly washed bedding. For an even fresher feel, make sure to clean your mattress before you go.

Con: It can get a little dusty

The downside is that your freshly-made bed will collect dust and grime. Dust inside your house is made up of existing elements like pollen, dust mite matter, animal dander, outside pollution (through air vents or other openings) which can settle on your bed while you're away. Not so fresh, after all.

According to the American Lung Association, roughly four out of five US households have detectable dust mite allergens in at least one bed. Thoroughly vacuuming the surface of the bed is therefore recommended once you're back.

A hand holds a vacuum mattress cleaner on the surface of a mattress, vacuuming for bed bugs, dust mites, dirt and allergens

(Image credit: Future)

I’m a bedding expert, here’s how I get the best of both worlds

Final verdict? While I've explored the pros and cons of each method, let me tell you my method: I do a mix of both.

As a bedding tester and strong advocate of clean, hygienic sleep, I think a little prep before you leave for your holiday trip goes a long way. These are the steps I follow:

  • Strip bed: I take time to strip the bed of all bedding, allowing it to breathe. This includes the sheets, pillow covers, mattress protectors and toppers — essentially exposing the bed to natural air and light.
  • Vacuum mattress: Regularly vacuuming your mattress can help prevent allergen build-up, remove mold spores and extend its overall lifespan. Plus it gives you the peace of mind that you'll be returning home to a fresh bed.
  • Remake bed: Then I dress the bed, to save myself the task when I'm back from my travels.
  • But place a sheet over the top: However, I pop on a simple sheet to keep the dust and debris from coming in direct contact with my bed while I'm away. You can also upgrade your sheet to one of the best mattress protectors, which generally feature a skirt design and elastic band, covering all the four corners of the bed too.

Google News

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.

Becky George
Becky George
Sleep Staff Writer

Becky is a Sleep Staff Writer at Tom’s Guide covering all things sleep-related including product reviews, research studies, news and explainers. She works on specialist bedding content and is responsible for buyer’s guides like the best pillows for all sleepers and best mattress protectors focusing on popular brands such as Tempur-Pedic, Avocado, Coop Home Goods and more. Becky is a PPA accredited journalist who is keen to explore the intricacies of sleep, its effects on skincare, mental wellbeing and work performance. While not thinking of sleep, she can be seen reading in cosy bookshops or learning about global food culture. 

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.