Why You Shouldn’t Make Your Bed Right After Waking Up (And What to Do Instead)

We’ve all heard it since we were kids: “Make your bed as soon as you get up!”
But what if this habit — drilled into us by parents, teachers, and every productivity guru on the internet — is actually making your bedroom less healthy?

Here’s the truth: leaving your bed unmade for a while is scientifically better for you.
And once you understand why, you might never make your bed first thing again.

Meet Your Invisible Bedmates: Dust Mites

Your mattress, pillows, and sheets are home to millions of microscopic creatures called dust mites.
Don’t panic — you can’t see them, and they live in everyone’s bedding.

But here’s the problem:

• They feed on your dead skin cells (which you shed all night).
• They love warmth.
• And most importantly… they thrive in humidity.

When we sleep, our bodies warm the bed and release sweat and moisture into the sheets.
So right after you wake up, your bed is a warm, slightly damp paradise where dust mites can multiply like crazy.

Why Making Your Bed Immediately Makes Things Worse

When you pull the sheets tight right after getting up, you trap all that moisture inside the bed.
This creates the perfect environment for dust mites to:

• Multiply
• Trigger allergies
• Irritate your skin
• Worsen asthma
• Cause sneezing and coughing

In other words: you’re sealing in the exact conditions dust mites need to thrive.

The Better Habit: Let Your Bed Breathe

Instead of making your bed right away, simply leave it unmade for at least an hour.

This allows:

• Moisture to evaporate
• Heat to dissipate
• The bedding to dry completely

Dry, cool bedding = fewer dust mites and a much healthier sleeping environment.

It’s the easiest bedroom hygiene hack you’ll ever adopt.

The Bottom Line

If you want a fresher, healthier bed — and fewer unwanted microscopic guests — don’t rush to tidy up the moment your feet hit the floor.

Let your bed air out.
Then make it later if you want that clean, polished look.

Your allergies (and your skin) will thank you.