Cleaning tips to stop nasties appearing in your bedroom

VIRGIN Radio DJ Chris Evans and wife Natasha were horrified when they found maggots in their bed.

The pests had fallen from a hatch in the ceiling after feasting on a mouse’s corpse.

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LYNSEY HOPE reveals cleaning tips from experts to stop similar nasties appearing in YOUR bedroom.

NIGHTY FRIGHTY

DUST MITES – We shed about half an ounce of skin a week and this attracts dust mites. They feed on dead skin and when they poo, an enzyme is released which can cause allergies in some people.

COLD AND FLU VIRUSES – Crank up the washing regime if you’ve had a cold or flu. Wash at a high temperature – and to protect your partner, don’t have tissues by the bed.

YEAST INFECTIONS – They grow on the skin and may transfer on to bedding.

FUNGI – Conditions such as thrush and athlete’s foot are highly contagious. The fungus can spread quickly on carpets, bedsheets and slippers.

BACTERIA – One type of bacteria commonly found on skin called Staphylococcus aureus can cause urinary tract infections and pneumonia.

FAECES – This is more likely to be found on sheets if you sleep naked.

SWEAT – The average person loses 26 gallons a year. Combined with warmth, it creates an environment for bacteria to grow.

BEDBUGS – They can be dark yellow, red or brown. Insecticides don’t kill some of them, so call in pest control.

HAVE SHOWER BEFORE BED

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“The cleaner you are when you get into bed, the cleaner your sheets will be,” explains hygiene expert Dr

Lisa ­Ackerley. “If you hop into bed after a day’s gardening, or a day at work, all the germs you’ve been in contact with will share your bed with you.”

HANG DUVET OUT THE WINDOW

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“Dust mites thrive in a warm and moist environment, so throw back the bed covers and open the windows. In Austria, they hang their duvets out the window,” says Dr Ackerley. Don’t make the bed when you first wake up. “Give it time to cool down,” she adds

SAY NO TO PETS

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“Keep pets out of the bedroom,” says Simon Williams, of the National Bed Federation. “They can easily transfer nasties on to your bed without you knowing. If they’ve been ­outside it’s easy for them to bring in mites and bacteria on paws and saliva, which will thrive in the warm.”

VACUUMING

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Simon Williams says: “Vacuum the mattress’s surface when spring-cleaning and air it if you can. Take it off the base and if you have room, stand it on its side near an open window. Vacuum underneath the bed and all around the frame – it’s ­amazing how much dust can get underneath a bed.”

WASH SHEETS ONCE A WEEK AT 60C PLUS

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Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause urinary tract infections or wound infections, is one of the bacteria that breeds on bedsheets. Dr Ackerley says: “They build up. Wash bedding once a week at 60C plus to kill off mites and germs.”

WASH PYJAMAS EVERY THREE DAYS

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On average, women wash their PJs after 17 nights – but they are full of dead skin cells. Dr Ackerley says: “Every few days is fine if you shower or bath before bed. But if you lounge in pyjamas during the day, you probably need to wash them daily.”

DRY HAIR BEFORE BED

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“Bacteria, mites, mould and fungi require moisture to survive and thrive,” explains bacteriologist Dr James ­Colhan. “Wet hair allows moisture to seep into your pillow creating the perfect environment for unwanted visitors. Dry your hair well before bed.”

REPLACE PILLOWS REGULARLY

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A study found pillows contain 47 species of fungi. Simon Williams of the National Bed Federation recommends changing them every two years. He adds: “Around ten per cent of a pillow’s weight is made up of dust mites and their poo. You are breathing that in.”

DON’T EAT IN BED

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Snacking in bed could attract all sorts. Pest exterminator Paul Berrell says: “Cookies, fruit juice, pizza and toast crumbs attract ants, flies and cockroaches. Even the most careful eater will find it tough to eat without leaving something behind, so snack before hitting the sack.”

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USE A MATTRESS ­PROTECTOR

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“Anti-allergy protectors stop mites getting into your mattress,” says Dr Ackerley. “A good-quality one will also protect against bedbugs and mould. Pillow protectors are also readily available. Both are important if you are prone to allergies or suffer with eczema or asthma.”

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