Your bedroom should be a place where you can get fitful rest every night; a place where you can relax and decompress after a long day of fulfilling your responsibilities. But when certain things are present in your bedroom, you could end up getting sick, experiencing skin problems, and failing to get enough good sleep, among a long list of other health issues.
If you wake up every morning feeling even more tired than the night before or have frequent rashes or sneezing fits that only always seem to happen in your bedroom, these things could be to blame:
1. Dirty linen
It’s imperative that you change your linens at least once every two weeks to prevent dirt, dust, crumbs, and other nasty things from affecting your sleep. Otherwise, you could end up triggering your allergies or irritating your skin every time you lay in your dirty bed.
Furthermore, check if you need professional dryer vent cleaning. Other than being a fire hazard, a clogged dryer vent can make laundry smell musty, which can also affect the quality of your sleep.
2. Pet fur
Cuddling with your pet is a great way to relieve stress, but it’s not advisable to do it on your bed or anywhere in your bedroom for that matter. Pet fur dander can cause nasal congestion and a myriad of other respiratory problems. More than that, dust, allergens, bugs, and dirt tend to stick to your pet’s fur, which can transfer to your beddings every time they hop on for a snuggle.
Reserve the cuddling sessions in the living room or any other part of the house. Every time you hug your pet or have them sit on your lap, be sure to change your clothes before getting into bed, especially if your pet sheds heavily. If they are used to coming into your bedroom and hopping onto your bed, train them not to do it anymore. They may be confused at first, but they will soon get the message with enough time (and treats!).
3. Scented candles
Scented candles are great for ambiance and aromatherapy, but they also release volatile organic compounds into the air that can irritate your nose. However, this doesn’t mean you have to give up scented candles forever. Instead, choose scented candles that are made from soy or beeswax and have light scents. It’s also a great idea to crack open a window every time you light one, and only let it burn for a few minutes.
4. Moldy humidifier
Using a humidifier is an effective way to address dry air during winter. However, don’t be lax in cleaning your humidifier regularly. Since it contains water, it is susceptible to mold growth if you don’t clean it at least once a week and change the water every day. Furthermore, if you’re not using it, make sure that it is clean and dry to avoid residual moisture from causing mold growth.
5. Ceiling fan
If you have a ceiling fan in your room, it’s crucial that you clean it at least once every two weeks. Otherwise, the dust that accumulates on the blades will spread all over the room every time you turn the fan on. Consequently, you may experience nasal congestion, bouts of sneezing, difficulty breathing, and other respiratory problems.
Cleaning the ceiling fan is a simple task that requires only a cleaning solution and an old pillowcase. Simply spritz a cleaning solution (a combination of water and vinegar or a commercial product) to loosen the dust. After a few minutes, use the pillowcase to cover each blade and move it carefully to collect the dust. This technique makes it easier to clean ceiling fan blades, and more importantly, it doesn’t spread dust around like when using a traditional duster.
6. Rugs and carpets
Rugs and carpets are nice to have in the bedroom, but they tend to accumulate every bit of dirt, pet dander, crumb, and pollen. That said, unless you clean your rugs and carpets regularly, they may lead to certain health problems like skin asthma and allergies.
Vacuum your rugs and carpet at least once a week and spot clean messes as soon as they occur. Furthermore, have them shampooed twice a year to get rid of the dirt and grime that vacuuming can’t remove.
In general, keeping your bedroom clean and tidy is the best way to avoid getting sick in a place where you’re supposed to rest. Moreover, you should avoid letting sources of dirt, grime, allergens, and all that nasty stuff in your bedroom, such as your pet, your outside shoes, and products that contain a ton of VOCs.
