Is airing your bedding the secret to a better night's sleep?

In a place like Scandinavia, you might often see bedding spread out on balconies or window sills. This isn’t merely an aesthetic tradition but a practice our grandmothers also followed. Fresh bedding is undoubtedly one of the key factors affecting the quality of our sleep. The question remains: does airing bedding outside truly bring benefits?

For those who haven’t tried it yet, it might be worth considering the advantages that airing bedding can bring to our sleep. The "Livingect" portal decided to ask sleep trainer Carla Gasie from the Sleepopolis brand for her opinion. According to her, airing bedding is essential for health. The professional provided a factual justification for her opinion.

The important factors here are exposure of bedding to sunlight and fresh breeze, which help eliminate moisture and unpleasant smells caused by sweat during sleep. Regular airing also removes dust, mites, and remnants of skin and hair. This, in turn, translates to better sleep quality and can help combat skin problems, such as acne. If you suffer from skin conditions, regular airing of bedding is a necessity.

Spreading the bedding on a chair or drying rack placed on the balcony is recommended. The part of the bedding which contacts the body should be on top. If no balcony is available, a window sill is an alternative. The timing of airing is also essential. It's best to do it in the evenings or at dawn—cool air speeds up the airing process. Practising this daily for up to half an hour shows effects, while airing once a week may require several hours.

The issue arises when we live close to a busy street or during renovations in the neighbourhood. In such cases, exposing bedding outside must be carefully considered. Then it's better to expose bedding to the sun by only opening the upper window slightly. You can also use a nearby rug beater, ensuring it's wiped clean beforehand.

If there are no other options, we should opt for washing as the primary form of bedding care. However, this process must also adhere to appropriate guidelines.

Experts recommend washing bedding weekly to prevent the proliferation of bacteria and fungi and avoid allergens. However, this might be too frequent for many people.

If frequent bedding washing isn’t possible, it's important to remember to shower before bed, remove makeup, and avoid letting pets into the bed. Leftover fur can cause allergic reactions. Regular washing of pillowcases also helps prevent hair greasiness and clogged pores.

When washing bedding, it is also important to pay attention to the information on the label. Not following the manufacturer's recommendations may damage the material or alter its properties.