Bacteria in your Bed

By McKenzie Hyde Certified Sleep Coach

Last Updated On November 6th, 2023
Bacteria in your Bed

Key Takeaways

  • How Much Bacteria Can Grow in Bed: Bedding, including sheets and pillowcases, can accumulate a significant amount of bacteria over time if not cleaned regularly. After four weeks without washing, both pillowcases and sheets may contain millions of colony-forming units (CFUs) per square inch.
  • What Bacteria Did You Find in Bed: Common types of bacteria found in bedding include gram-negative rods, gram-positive rods, bacilli, and gram-positive cocci. Some of these bacteria can potentially cause infections, while others are less harmful.
  • Keeping a Clean Bed: To maintain cleaner bedding and reduce exposure to bacteria, it is recommended to wash sheets and pillowcases at least once a week. Consider replacing your mattress every seven years or when it causes discomfort. Good hygiene practices, such as showering before bed and cleaning bedding after illness, can help reduce the presence of bacteria in your sleeping environment.

We spend a lot of our lifetime in our beds, so it’s only natural that we’d make them cozy and appealing. But beneath all the throw pillows and frills, there’s a legion of germs that also find our beds just as homey. As you lay your head on that clean white goose-down pillow, do you know what is lurking just under the surface?

We examined the microscopic parts of our mattresses and bedding via a study with volunteers who swabbed their sheets over a period of four weeks without washing them. We also took bacteria samples from mattresses of varying ages (from less than 1 year to 7 years old). We then analyzed all the dirty data to better understand how clean our sheets really are and how often we should be replacing our mattresses. Read on to find out what we discovered.

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How Clean Are Your Sheets?

Bacteria in Your Bed

It happens to many of us: You get busy with work, fill up your evening social schedule, and then arrive home to collapse into bed. When was the last time you washed your sheets? You can’t really remember, but you’re hoping it was just last week. In reality, it should have been if it’s Monday and you’re on a proper sheets-cleaning schedule (at least once a week – or perhaps more if you’re following our study).

We analyzed bedding at different stages since the last washing. After one week, pillowcases and sheets contain between three million and five million CFUs (colony-forming units) per square inch. By the fourth week, both areas of your sleeping space have almost 12 million CFUs. We also compared amounts of bacteria on bedding with other items we typically envision as “dirty.” As you can see in the chart, your bed is a pretty germy place. Pillowcases washed a week ago have over 17 thousand times the number of bacteria as a toilet seat!

Bacteria in Your Sheets

Bacteria in Your Bed

Now that we’ve established the fact that our bedding can be pretty germy, our thoughts wander to which types of germs are present. There are so many different kinds of bacteria in the world, and we are obviously dragging many of them to bed with us at night.

In our study, there were four main strains of bacteria that love to make sheets their new home. The most common kind (at over 41 percent) was gram-negative rods. These bacteria commonly cause pneumonia and other kinds of infections. Also, the majority of gram-negative rods are dangerous Verified Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The United States’ health protection agency that defends against dangers to health and safety. View source and can lead to antibiotic resistance, according to the CDC. Gram-positive rods and bacilli were the other two most commonly found bacteria. Bacilli are the usual suspect in food poisoning Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source and similar infections, but gram-positive rods aren’t typically harmful to humans.

Sheets vs. Pillowcases

Bacteria in Your Bed

While pillowcases and sheets are both considered bedding, they aren’t equal when it comes to bacteria distribution. Many of us keep our faces and heads cleaner than we keep the rest of our body, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to fewer bacteria. If you think about the many things that you come into contact with during the day, you might get a picture of all the new germs that you are bringing into your bed every night.

We looked into how the bacteria was distributed in bed sheets and pillowcases. Sheets had the most gram-negative rods (about 42 percent) and gram-positive rods (almost 27 percent). Pillowcases won first place for both bacilli (almost 25 percent) and gram-positive cocci (almost 12 percent). These infectious bacteria are the stuff of nightmares.

Sleeping on Germs

Bacteria in Your Bed

The average American spends a lot of his or her life lying on a mattress (more than eight hours a day, according to a 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics study). We spend a lot of time researching the best mattresses, testing them out, and worrying about how they make our backs feel. But have you thought about how much bacteria are living in yours?

We decided to take on the challenge of testing bacteria levels in mattresses of varying ages (anywhere from less than 1 year to 7 years old) to see how much bacteria accumulates over the years. A newer mattress has only three million CFUs of bacteria, but by the time it is 7 years old, it has over 16 million. That’s a lot of company to host every night.

Mattress Bacteria, Broken Down

Bacteria in Your Bed

Sleeping on a lot of bacteria might be unnerving, but some guests are more dangerous than others. Like with bedding, mattresses will have different kinds of bacteria as they age.

Our test results showed that the newer mattress bacteria composition were equal parts bacilli, gram-positive rods, and gram-positive cocci. The other three mattress ages had a combination of gram-positive rods, gram-positive cocci, and gram-negative rods. The 7-year-old mattress was the only one that had all four types of bacteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my mattress be causing allergies?

Yes, your mattress can potentially cause allergies. Dust mites, a common allergen, can accumulate in mattresses over time. These microscopic creatures thrive in warm and humid environments and feed on dead skin cells. Their droppings can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, itching, or nasal congestion.

Mold spores are another allergen that can collect in mattresses, flourishing if the bed has been exposed to moisture or have poor ventilation. Mattress mold can trigger allergic reactions or respiratory issues. If you suspect that your mattress is causing allergies, consider using allergen-proof mattress covers and cleaning to minimize allergen exposure. If symptoms persist, consult with a healthcare professional.

Can a water-damaged mattress allow bacteria to grow?

Yes, a water-damaged mattress can create a conducive environment for bacteria growth. When a mattress is exposed to moisture or water, either through spills, leaks, or high humidity, it can lead to the development of mold and mildew. These fungal organisms thrive in damp conditions and can quickly multiply if not addressed promptly.

Besides mold and mildew, other types of bacteria may also flourish in a moist environment, further exacerbating the potential health risks.

How do I know if my mattress is unsafe?

First, inspect the mattress for visible signs of wear, such as sagging, lumps, or uneven surfaces. These issues can affect the support and comfort of the mattress, potentially leading to discomfort or even sleep-related problems. Then, check for any signs of mold or mildew, which can thrive in a moist environment and pose health risks. Even a mold-resistant mattress can allow fungi to grow under the right conditions.

If your mattress emits strong odors or if you notice a significant change in air quality when in close proximity to the mattress, it may indicate the presence of harmful chemicals.

Why is my mattress making me sick?

There could be several reasons why a mattress is making you feel sick. One possibility is the presence of allergens, such as dust mites, mold, or pet dander, which can accumulate over time. These allergens can cause respiratory issues, allergies, or even exacerbate existing conditions.

Additionally, some mattresses may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or off-gas, especially in the case of low-quality or poorly manufactured mattresses. These chemicals and off-gassing odors can lead to headaches, nausea, or respiratory irritation.

It’s also worth mentioning that if your mattress contains fiberglass, which is sometimes used in fire-resistant covers, it can cause discomfort or skin irritation if it escapes the cover. Many shoppers are making the switch to fiberglass-free mattresses for this reason.

Conclusion

Sleeping on millions of bacteria every night might make you feel a bit squirmy. With the number of germs we trek into our homes daily, it seems we are doomed to share our beds with more than a few of them. Some, like bacilli and gram-positive cocci, can be the source of a nasty sickness. Others, such as gram-positive rods, are rarer Verified Source Wiley Multinational publishing company specializing in academic and instructional materials. View source and therefore less likely to affect us. But we do want to keep it all in check as much as we can.

There are a couple of things you can do to make sure you aren’t snuggling with pneumonia-causing bacteria at night. First, clean sheets and pillowcases at least weekly; consider a more frequent cleaning schedule if you’re apt to fall asleep in a full face of makeup or after a sweat at the gym. Next, replace your mattress when it’s starting to wear out and is causing you issues, typically every seven years.

Give some thought to your pillows too. You usually need to replace your pillows more often than a mattress, though how often depends on your type of pillow.

When you’ve been sick, make sure you clean your bedding often to ensure bacteria aren’t lingering. If you’re sick enough to make a mess, clean vomit out of the mattress with cleaners, deodorizers, and disinfectants.

And if you spend your day working somewhere with a lot of germs, consider taking a shower before bed. Not only will showers help clean you up and maintain a clean bed, but it can also be an excellent way to relax before bed.

A warm shower as part of your bedtime routine can signal to your body it’s time for sleep.

Methodology

We swabbed three volunteers’ unwashed sheets and pillowcases at the start of each week for four consecutive weeks. Volunteers started the experiment with freshly washed sheets. We also asked volunteers with mattresses of varying ages (less than 1 year old, 2 years old, 5 years old, and 7 years old) to swab their mattresses for this experiment.

Fair Use

Rest easy knowing that we grant permission for you to share the images found here in your publication. Just don’t sleep through the alarm: We request that you link back to this page to give the authors proper credit.


About the author

McKenzie Hyde is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and a full-time writer specializing in sleep health and the mattress industry. With a Master of Arts degree in literature and writing from Utah State University, McKenzie combines her passion for writing with her in-depth knowledge of sleep science. Her articles cover a wide range of topics, including best sleep practices for students, the consequences of sleep deprivation, and choosing the right mattress for back pain relief. McKenzie's dedication to delivering accurate and informative content makes her a valuable contributor to the field of sleep health.

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