We spend about eight hours or more sleeping on our bed daily to be well-rested for the next day. So it’s only fair to keep our sheets and other bed essentials clean to ensure good hygiene. However, an individual may follow certain bad habits subconsciously that could also affect the quality of the mattress. Poor mattress hygiene may ultimately lead to health complications. So here are six bad habits to avoid.

Eating in bed
Most people love snacking on popcorn or drinking a soda in bed. But by eating in bed, a person increases the possibility of leaving food crumbs or spilling liquid. Sometimes these accidents may be too tiny to notice and attract critters that may infest your mattress. So no matter how practical the idea of watching a movie with popcorn in bed may seem, it’s better to avoid the habit to maintain bed hygiene.

Placing bags on the bed
Whether someone gets home from work or vacation, they tend to keep their bags on the bed. These bags are covered with dust and germs because of where they’ve been placed outdoors. The same impurities are then transferred to the bed. So avoid keeping the bags on the bed to ensure proper hygiene.

Getting into bed after getting home
An individual’s attire can also be a germ magnet. Getting into bed without changing your outfit or bathing may result in the transmission of germs to the sheets and mattress. To avoid this, ensure you bathe and wear clean nightclothes before hopping onto the bed.

Working in bed
With remote work growing in popularity, we’ve become accustomed to using our laptops in bed. But spending more time in bed can lead to an increased risk of bacteria infestation. So if you work remotely, work from a desk at home to avoid dirtying the mattress.

Not cleaning pets
Several pet parents allow their fur balls to hop onto the bed with them throughout the day or the night. However, most pet paws are often dirty as they are in direct contact with the ground outside. So if you have a pet at home, clean their paw pads and check their fur for critters before inviting them onto the bed.

Skimping on washing sheets
The human body often sheds dry skin cells deposited into the sheets. These cells serve as breeding grounds for dust mites, fungi, and bacteria, which can also degrade the quality of the mattress. Wash the sheets at least once a week to reduce health complications from such germs.

Washing mattresses is not an easy task. So if you have an old mattress, consider replacing it. When you do, there are a few popular queen-sized options to consider. Also, remember that the prices listed below are subject to change.

TEMPUR-Ergo® Smart Base
The TEMPUR-Essential™ mattress is available for about $1,400 on Tempurpedic’s website. The mattress features multiple layers that can support your back. It can also relieve pressure to prevent uncomfortable tossing and turns in bed.

DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress
The DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress features innerspring coils and pressure-relieving gel memory foam for enhanced comfort. It also has a cashmere top quilted with foam to let the body breathe when you sleep. Get this for about $900 on the brand’s website.

Canyon RV Mattress
The Canyon mattress is ideal for those who own an RV and require a comfortable, quality, budget mattress to fit the space. It’s available for about $600 on the Wilderness RV Mattress website.

The Winkbed
Available for about $1,500 on Winkbed’s website, the option is suitable for individuals who want mattress breathability and deep support. The WinkBed can also reduce back, shoulder, and hip pain.

Consider buying bed essentials like pillow covers, mattress layers, and blankets from Sleepnumber’s website, as they offer attractive discounts. The brand may slash prices up to 30% when you shop for select bedding items.