You Might Not Need to Make Your Bed Every Morning—Here's Why

Being instructed to dutifully make your bed each morning as a child is a common experience (I know I certainly whined about it). But did our parents really get it right? While some claim that a made bed is the hallmark of kick-starting your day correctly, recent studies claim that making your bed when you first wake up can actually be unhygienic. 

To get the inside scoop on this hotly contested issue, we chatted with two health professionals and a professional organizer for their takes.

The Case for Leaving the Bed Unmade

When humans sleep, we secrete moisture, both from sweating during the night and breathing. This moisture ends up stuck underneath your sheets and comforter, and is the exact sort of environment where dust mites thrive. "If someone makes a bed immediately after waking, this traps the moisture and limits ventilation further," says board-certified radiologist Mia Kazanjian, MD.

As Dr. Kazanjian explains, dust mites love moist, poorly ventilated environments, which means your tucked-in, damp sheets could become a breeding ground for these unwanted pests. Therefore, leaving your unmade—or at least waiting a bit before making it—can be the healthier choice, especially if you're someone who suffers from allergies.

"If someone can leave the bed unmade or air it out with some delay, combined with opening a window, this can allow sweat to evaporate and hamper dust mite formation," says Dr. Kazanjian.

How Making Your Bed Affects Mental Health and Daily Routines

That being said, experts still encourage that you make your bed eventually. Make your coffee, eat breakfast, then return to your bedroom and complete the task. Nurse practitioner Yuli Khaykin explains that this small routine task helps you feel more organized early in the day and that sense of order matters at night, too. "Going back to a prepared bed at night also informs the brain that it is time to sleep, a factor that can help to improve sleep patterns," Khaykin says.

Related Stories

How to Create a Beautiful Bedscape That Transforms Your Bedroom Into a Sanctuary

67% of Our Readers Think It's Unsafe to Sit on Their Bed in Outside Clothes—a Doctor and Laundry Expert Settle the Debate

And according to professional organizer Carroll Cartwright, making your bed sets you up for a day of success. "It sets a calm tone without requiring much effort," says Cartwright. "A made bed creates instant visual calm and helps the bedroom feel more collected. That small habit supports smoother routines, lowers stress, and makes it easier to unwind and rest at night."

The Best Compromise

Both Khaykin and Kazanjian agree that the best course of action is to wait 30 to 60 minutes after waking to make your bed. So instead of getting up and immediately straightening the covers, go through your usual morning routine before circling back. 

"This allows for heat and moisture to dissipate and minimize mite, bacteria, and mold production," Kazanjian says. You’ll still get the benefit of feeling accomplished from completing the task and your space will look tidier—but you won’t have to fret about moisture and bacteria festering.