Is It a Bad Thing to Sleep on a Bare Mattress? (DON’T DO IT, BECAUSE..)

Many people, especially the young generation, sleep on a bare mattress.

In fact, millennials consider it a trendy thing to do. This contrasts with the older generation that believes a sheet is a must-have when going to bed.

Learn more about sleeping on a bare mattress in this guide.

So, Is It a Bad Thing to Sleep on a Bare Mattress?

SHORT ANSWER – YES, it’s bad and not recommended. Some of us, sweat when we sleep. Sheets are necessary as they protect sweat from touching the mattress. Additionally, they also protect it from dirt, dead skin cells, grime, and dust mites which can result in unpleasant odors.

Now, note that sleeping on a bare mattress offers various advantages. But after extensive research, we found that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

See Also: Is $3,000 Too Much For A Mattress?

Why Do Some People Sleep on Their Mattress Without Sheets?

Before we talk about the reasons you shouldn’t sleep on a bare mattress, let us look at what makes people adopt this behavior in the first place.

Most of us were taught to make our beds since we were children.

So, why do some people love sleeping on a mattress without a sheet? Here are some common reasons for that:

1. Chronic Tiredness

Chronic tiredness makes you lack the energy to do even basic things like making your bed.

Therefore, people who suffer from it may find sleeping on a bare mattress comfortable.

This condition may result from sleep apnea, insomnia, and other health issues.

When someone is tired, they won’t feel like changing their sheets or making their bed. As a result, they may find sleeping without sheets helpful for a restful night.

2. It’s a Trend

Sleeping without a bed sheet has become popular among the young generation.

Therefore, it’s not a surprise for someone to switch to this style simply because they saw their friend or someone on social media doing it.

3. Depression

Depression presents itself in many ways. One telltale sign is fatigue and having no energy to do things.

It is difficult to make your bed and tidy your room when dealing with depression.

That is why many people with this condition sleep on a bare mattress.

See Also: What’s The Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Bedsheets?

4. To Avoid Laundry

Some people are generally busy. So you find them wearing ugly clothes because they are too busy for the laundry day.

This can also be the same case when it comes to bedding.

When there’s no more clean bedding available, one will not have a choice but to sleep on a bare mattress.

See Also: Do You Need To Rewash Your Laundry If It Rains While It’s Drying On The Clothesline?

Doing this once is okay. But the problem is that it becomes a habit, and they find themselves ditching the top sheet for good.

5. To Save Money

Believe it or not but some people believe that sleeping on a bare mattress can save them some coins.

They wouldn’t need to spend money on bedsheets because they would not use them after all. However, this isn’t always the case.

If you sleep on your mattress without a bedsheet, it will get dirty quickly, which leads to stain build-up and debris growth.

As a result, cleaning your mattress may cost you more money than cleaning your bedsheets.

Why is It Bad to Sleep On A Bare Mattress?

1. Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are an overlooked drawback of sleeping on a bare mattress.

Remember that your body flushes nasty things when sleeping in the form of sweat.

When you sleep without a bedsheet, you can experience a rise in body temperatures, making you sweat.

2. Skin Irritation

Sleeping on a bare mattress can give you skin irritation.

That’s because dead skin cells can build up on the mattress’s surface, causing redness and itching.

Also, other things like dust mites and allergens can accumulate on the bedding and cause issues for people with asthma and allergies.

3. Growth of Bacteria

While some people may find sleeping without a mattress comfortable, this decision has many adverse effects.

One of them is that they end up creating a suitable environment for bacteria to grow.

When your body is in contact with the mattress, the bacteria on your skin are transferred to the mattress’s surface.

With time, the bacteria can multiply and be problematic if you continue sleeping on the mattress without washing it.

See Also: Is It Okay to Leave an Electric Blanket on Overnight?

4. Bed Bugs

Bed bugs could also result from sleeping on a bare mattress.

These can bite and cause your skin to itch, redden or have bumps.

They are mostly found on mattresses, beds, and other furniture.

5. Unpleasant Stench

Do you know why we don’t wear the same clothes for several days a week repeatedly without washing them even when it is cold, and we aren’t visibly sweating?

It’s because of the disgusting smell that comes from dirty clothes.

Sleeping on a bare mattress can lead to millions of bacteria that may not be visible to the human eye.

Combine the bacteria with dust mites, and the result is an awful stench that you can’t ignore.

You can breathe your mattress’s smell when sleeping on it. For this reason, it’s hard to sleep on a mattress with a stench.

Bad smells can cause nausea, vomiting, coughing, dizziness, and other breathing issues.

Plus, the stench can interrupt your ability to fall and remain asleep the entire time you are in bed.

6. Dust Mites

Dust mites are another common problem resulting from sleeping without a bedsheet.

These are tiny creatures that love a warm and humid environment. They spread when in contact with bedding, clothing, and other surfaces.

When they get to your skin, you can experience severe allergic reactions. Some of the symptoms associated with dust mites include itchy eyes, sneezing, and coughing.

7. Decreases Your Mattress’s Lifespan

Another reason experts discourage sleeping on a bare mattress is that it can reduce the mattress’s lifespan.

That is because the body releases oils and sweat, which break down the mattress’s fabric.

See Also: Manufactured Home Mattresses Guide: 3 Factors For A Comfortable Selection

With time, it will deteriorate and lead to premature tearing.

How Often Should You Change Your Bedsheets?

There isn’t a set standard that works for everyone.

But it is recommended you change your sheets after a few days.

The most you should sleep on is a week. After that, make sure you change and have them clean.

And while doing that, remember to change your pillowcases and even wash the pillows if you can machine wash them every other month along with the comforter.

The tradition has always been to wash comforters and pillows when the season changes.

But to be safe, wash them every once a month. However, remember that frequent washing can make them wear out faster than usual. So remember to space out your cleaning routine.

Final Thoughts

It is not advisable to sleep without sheets as doing so encourages the growth of fungus and bacteria.

Remember that sheets protect the mattress from dust, sweat, and dead skin cells. Plus, it is easier to wash bedsheets than to wash the entire mattress.

References

https://www.bustle.com/p/is-it-bad-to-sleep-without-sheets-heres-a-gross-af-reason-you-really-should-use-a-topsheet-8639250