{
  "id": 5964386,
  "title": "My bed sheets were dirty one night after washing until I banned these 3 things from the bedroom",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/my-bed-sheets-were-dirty-one-night-after-washing-until-i-banned-these",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-06T11:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Guide",
    "slug": "tom-s-guide",
    "url": "https://www.tomsguide.com/mattresses/mattress-care/my-bed-sheets-were-dirty-one-night-after-washing-until-i-banned-these-3-things-from-the-bedroom"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A comfortable night's sleep often starts with freshly laundered sheets. However, if your pristine bedding seems to accumulate dirt rapidly, you may be unwittingly committing some bedroom hygiene blunders. According to Dr. Shanina C. Knighton, an expert in infection prevention, certain everyday items should never find their way onto your bed. Here are three things Dr. Knighton advises keeping out of the bedroom to maintain cleaner sheets:\n\nFirstly, your smartphone should be kept at a distance from your bed. Dr. Knighton points out that phones are notorious for picking up germs from various surfaces throughout the day, such as restaurant tables and bathrooms. Placing your phone on your pillow or directly on your sheets exposes you to these contaminants while you sleep. The expert emphasizes that a smartphone's surface is one of the dirtiest items most people own, and allowing it near your bed can lead to a host of issues, including skin irritation and allergic reactions, particularly for those with compromised immune systems.\n\nSecondly, outside clothes should never be brought into the bedroom. Whether it's a day's worth of sweat, body oils, or environmental pollutants, these items can transfer a myriad of contaminants onto your bedding. Dr. Knighton advises against sitting or sleeping in your outside clothes to prevent the transfer of dust, grime, and other pollutants onto your bed. Slippers are recommended as a practical solution to create a barrier between your feet and the bed, reducing the amount of dirt and bacteria introduced into your sleeping environment.\n\nLastly, bare feet should be avoided in the bedroom, especially if you have pets or wear socks around the house. Dr. Knighton stresses that the floor is a breeding ground for all the dirt and bacteria that your shoes and pets track in from outside. Even socks can carry these contaminants if you've been walking around the house in them. By wearing slippers or shoes indoors, you can significantly reduce the amount of dirt and bacteria that make their way onto your bed, thereby promoting a cleaner and healthier sleeping environment. Dr. Knighton suggests washing your bed sheets at least once a week during summer to prevent the buildup of dirt and moisture. Heavier items like pillows, comforters, and duvets should be washed every few months, preferably at temperatures of 130°F (54°C) or higher to effectively eliminate dust mites. Always check the care instructions on your bedding to avoid damaging any materials.",
  "summary": "Infections expert Dr. Shanina C. Knighton explains how everyday habits could be turning your sleep space into a hotbed for bacteria and grime.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}