The one thing you should do before making your bed in the morning, according to scientists

Most people make their bed shortly after getting up. Pull the duvet straight, fluff the pillows and the bedroom looks instantly tidier. But what if waiting a little before making your bed could actually be better for it?

It might seem like a small detail in your morning routine, but there's a reason you may want to change the order of things. And it's not just about keeping your bedroom tidy.

What scientists found when they studied unmade beds

Earlier generations often folded back their covers and left the bed to air while they got on with the morning. There may be a practical reason for this old habit.

In January 2005, Kingston University reported on research by building scientist Dr Stephen Pretlove. His team used a computer model to explore how conditions inside a home could affect house dust mites.

During the night, our bodies release moisture through sweating and breathing. Dust mites, which live in mattresses, pillows and duvets, thrive in warm, humid conditions. Pretlove estimated that an average bed could contain up to 1.5 million mites. His model suggested that leaving the bed unmade could help moisture escape, potentially making it harder for the mites to survive.

However, this was a computer model, not a clinical trial proving that leaving your bed unmade significantly reduces dust mites. It offers a possible explanation for the habit, rather than proof that it works on its own.

Why airing your bed is still recommended

Longfonds, the Dutch lung foundation, recommends folding the duvet back towards the foot of the bed during the day. This allows moisture to evaporate instead of keeping the bedding covered straight after you get up.

The advice is particularly relevant to people with asthma or a dust mite allergy. These mites are commonly found in bedding, curtains and upholstered furniture, and allergens in their droppings can trigger symptoms.

Longfonds also recommends ventilating your home regularly, keeping indoor humidity as low as possible and washing bedding at least once every two weeks at 60°C. It highlights autumn and winter, when windows often stay closed for longer.

How to air your bed properly

The routine is simple. When you get up, fold the duvet back rather than making the bed immediately. Open the bedroom window for a while, weather permitting, and let the bedding air while you have breakfast. You can make the bed later in the morning.

One Dutch bedding retailer suggests airing a duvet for at least two hours, preferably longer. This is a practical suggestion, not an official medical guideline; Longfonds does not specify an exact number of hours.

Leaving your bed unmade is not a magic solution, and the research does not prove it will significantly reduce mites throughout your home. For allergy sufferers, regular hot washing and good ventilation remain important.

Still, folding back the duvet is an easy habit to try. Grandma may have had a good reason for leaving the bed until later.