Spring is right around the corner, and there’s nothing like a deep clean to make your house feel fresh and inviting as the weather gets warmer.
This is also a time where allergies that have laid dormant over the winter start to resurface, as pollen begins to spread. For adults and children alike this can be a frustrating problem to deal with, with allergies commonly leading to sleep disturbances and insomnia1.
That’s why bed expert and director at Time4Sleep, Jonathan Warren, and resident sleep expert at Time4Sleep, Dr Hana Patel, are sharing their top tips on how to deep clean your bed, and allergy proof your bedroom in time for spring.
Three steps to allergy proof your bedrooms
Dr Patel says: “When it comes to allergies in the bedroom, the main culprits that affect our sleep are dust and pollen. These tiny particles can cause irritation and trigger anything from rashes to asthma. To reduce the impact they have on your sleep, it’s important to prevent them from coming into the bedroom.”
- Hoover and dust regularly
Dr Patel explains: “Regular hoovering can help to cut down on dust mites and dust particles in a bedroom. This is even more important if you have pets who venture into, or sleep in your bedrooms. Weekly hoovering is a minimum, with increased frequency if you notice visible dust and dirt accumulating between cleans.
“Ensure your cleaning routine involves frequent dusting of surfaces and items, as well as washing items which can accumulate dust without you realising it, such as stuffed toys, or fluffy slippers and dressing gowns.”
- Separate outside from inside
Dr Patel comments: “It’s also a good idea to reduce how often outside particles come into your sleeping spaces. If you have kids playing outside as the weather improves, make sure they change their clothes before going upstairs to avoid spreading pollen and dirt around the house. Similarly, try to restrict your pets from entering rooms by closing doors and blocking off spaces during the day. Pet fur is a magnet for pollen and other potential allergens, so it’s important to restrict where they can access after they’ve been outside.”
- Improve air quality
Dr Patel outlines: “If you find that yours or your family’s sleep is still being affected by allergies despite cleaning frequently, you should consider firmer steps to improve the air quality.
“Investing in an air purifier with a HEPA filter will help to remove some of the particles in the air that can negatively affect our sleep. Using a dehumidifier can also improve air quality, and reduce moisture in the atmosphere, reducing mould growth on steamy windows.”
Keeping your bed clean from headboard to mattress
Jonathan comments: “Keeping your bed clean is the most obvious, and most important part of a deep spring clean, and whilst many people may wash their bedding regularly, there’s more to cleaning the bed than just changing your sheets.”
Wash your sheets
Jonathan shares: “Leaving your unwashed bedding on for an extended period of time can lead to the accumulation of dust mites, bacteria, and oils from your hair and skin, so be sure to wash sheets frequently.
“Washing your bedding a minimum of once a week in the summer, and a maximum of once every 10 days in the winter, will help maintain a clean surface to lay your head on every night, as well as reduce the possibility of allergens irritating skin.”
Cleaning your duvet
Jonathan says: “For the same reason that you should regularly wash your bedclothes, it’s also advisable not to forget to clean your duvet. The duvet, and pillows, don’t need to be washed quite as frequently as your bedsheets or pillow cases, which should be washed once per week, but they will become dirty over time, absorbing our sweat and dead skin cells.
“Wash your duvet and pillows about twice a year, using a warm, gentle wash (about 40 degrees) and a small amount of detergent. You should then use a cool tumble dry, along with a tennis ball placed in a sock to prevent clumping. The result will be a clean, fluffy duvet and pillow cases which will feel like getting into a new bed. Make sure to check the drum load weight of your washing machine before attempting to wash at home.”
Cleaning your headboard
Jonathan advises: “When you change your bed sheets or vacuum your bedroom, take a second to go over your headboard gently with the hoover, and give it a light fabric spray to keep it fresh. I would recommend a deep clean for your headboard once a month. Aside from improving the appearance of your headboard, this will remove bacteria that can contribute to allergies and asthma which negatively affect your sleep.
“To make a cleaning solution for a stain on an upholstered fabric headboard, mix lukewarm water with a small amount of detergent. Apply the solution to a cloth and work it into the stain, allow it to completely dry before vacuuming any residue – you can use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process too. Make sure you test any cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous area first to avoid causing any widespread damage.
“For tougher stains, you might need to use a dedicated fabric cleaner. Once you have applied the fabric cleaner, allow it to dry before vacuuming again. You can also buy a quality fabric spray to leave your headboard smelling fresh. Baking powder can be helpful in removing oily stains and absorbing grease.”
Cleaning your mattress
Jonathan shares: “A thorough mattress clean could help tackle any allergy flare-ups you have been experiencing at bedtime, and generally improve your health and sleep quality overall. It’s also important to know when it’s time to invest in a new mattress and how to choose the right one for you and your body.
“For stains, it’s best to use a mattress cleaning spray or a carpet cleaner and lightly spray over the affected area. Dab the stain from the outside in, so you don’t accidentally make the stain bigger, and leave the spray to work before wiping away with a wet cloth.
“Finally, run the hoover along the mattress, this will pick up any dust or dirt that is clinging to the fabric fibres. Make sure to wash your bedding frequently, use a mattress protector and vacuum around your bed to help protect your mattress from building up unnecessary dirt and dust.”
For more information, visit: https://www.time4sleep.co.uk/
Photo by Marcus Aurelius: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-a-person-holding-a-white-blanket-9788329/
