7 Gross Bedroom Hygiene Mistakes You're Making

Not wiping down the dust that gathers or spending any time vacuuming might seem harmless, but even if you don't see much to the naked eye, these particles could still wreak havoc on your health and wellbeing. Chronic exposure to dust mites can cause allergic reactions as well as worsen symptoms of asthma, according to the American Lung Association. Be sure to use a high-efficiency vacuum and wipe up surfaces where dust accumulates, such as the baseboard of your bed.

"Dust gathers everywhere, but the bed sheets take the most of it since that’s where body skin cells gather the most," says cleaning expert Lauren Haynes over email. "Where there are human skin cells, there are dust mites to eat them. So to prevent this from happening, change and wash your bedding regularly." To prevent all that sweat, oil, and dust from building up, it's best to wash your sheets once a week, according to today.com.

"Upholstered headboards are beautiful, but they can be germ magnets," says Debra Johnson of Merry Maids over email. "Not to say you shouldn’t have one, but it needs to be cleaned pretty frequently — weekly is ideal — and make sure to clean the wall behind it, too. You will be breathing in this area every night, so avoid awful allergies and sicknesses by just giving it a weekly cleaning."

Using air fresheners and candles might seem like they would make your room feel nicer, and although they do smell nice, they emit some toxic chemicals that you're not going to want in your bedroom. Many of these products contain toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and phthalates, which can not only cause allergic reactions, but can cause neurological damage as well as cancer, according to the Scientific American. Look for natural ways to keep your bedroom smelling fresh, like using essential oils or opting for vegetable-based candles, such as 100 percent soy.

"Because women tend to wear makeup and use skincare products before bed, these products may rub off on pillows," says dermatologist David Lortscher, MD over email. "How often to change your pillowcase is not an exact science, but I would recommend doing so at least once a week — more often if you perspire lots. Every other day works for some people who flip their pillows, and some patients put a clean white T-shirt over their pillows every night. For most, a clean pillowcase once or twice a week works well."

You might be proud of yourself for actually cleaning up your room, but if you're using the wrong products, you're actually putting your health at risk. Many chemical cleaners contain toxins and carcinogens that can cause anything from skin irritation to cancer, according to a study done by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Instead, try cleaning things with different combinations of vinegar, lemon, and baking soda or opt for more natural products.

If you use the heater during the winter months, it's not uncommon for mold to build up on places like the windowsill. Leaving it untouched is not just unattractive, but can have some negative repercussions on your health. Exposure to mold can lead to nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing, eye irritation, skin irritation, or even more serious chronic lung illnesses, according to the CDC.