Why NOT making your bed could make you healthier

If, like us, your list of chores is growing ever longer, you might be especially happy to hear this bit of news - scientists have revealed that NOT making your bed may actually be better for your health!

Whilst it might look a little messier, a new study from the clever people at Kingston University has shown that leaving your sheets rumpled in the mornings makes them a less hospitable enviroment for dust mites, common household bugs which feed on flakes of human skin, and are thought to be a major cause of asthma and other allergies.

Apparently, the average bed could be home to up to 1.5 million house dust mites - eek!

Researcher Dr Stephen Pretlove told The BBC, 'We know that mites can only survive by taking in water from the atmosphere using small glands on the outside of their body.'

'Something as simple as leaving a bed unmade during the day can remove moisture from the sheets and mattress so the mites will dehydrate and eventually die.'

Dr Pretlove added that the results of the study, which also took into account other influential factors like heating, ventilation and insulation, could help to reduce the staggering £700m spent treating mite-induced illnesses each year in the UK.

'Our findings could help building designers create healthy homes and healthcare workers point out environments most at risk from mites,' he said.

More time IN the bed and less time making it?! You don't have to tell us twice!

However, before you start flinging back the duvet and lounging with glee, it's important to note that not every expert is totally convinced by the outcome of the study.

Professor Andrew Wardlaw, of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, explained: 'Mites are very important in asthma and allergy and it would be good if ways were found to modifiy the home so that mite concentrations were reduced.

'It is true that mites need humid conditions to thrive and cannot survive in very dry (desert like) conditions. However, most homes in the UK are sufficiently humid for the mites to do well and I find it hard to believe that simply not making your bed would have any impact on the overall humidity.'

Totally on board the unmade bed train, or not convinced? Leave us a comment and let us know your thoughts!