Altering your shower routine could leave you blissfully ignorant of the harmful bacteria you’re sharing your sheets with. Past studies have shown that one in four people prefer a morning shower over a nighttime routine. However, experts at MattressNextDay are urging individuals to modify their bathroom habits with a pressing warning.
The specialists are sounding the alarm about people’s showering routines as postponing your bathroom routine until the morning could promote the spread of harmful bacteria like E. Coli in your sheets.
Research has suggested that the bacteria can survive for months on surfaces such as a mattress, with the experts cautioning: “The older the mattress, the higher the risk,” that E. Coli is present.
The devastating illness has been rampant throughout the UK this summer and can lead to diarrhoea, food poisoning and a host of other diseases like pneumonia.
And neglecting an evening rinse could mean you’re lying next to these bugs for hours on end, blissfully unaware and unprotected.
The experts clarified that during the day, whether it’s at work or simply going about life’s daily tasks, your skin accumulates bacteria and airborne pollutants.
These microorganisms will remain with you until they are washed off, meaning if you skip a nightly shower, you’ll be taking them to bed too, the experts asserted.
Moreover, it has been proventhat showering at night can improve sleep quality. Taking a warm or hot shower before entering a cool room can signal to the body that it’s time for sleep by mimicking the temperature drop experienced when falling asleep.
Using lavender-scented shower gels, scrubs, or creams can have a calming, relaxing effect, promoting a more restful night’s sleep. However, even night-time showers come with certain health risks.
Home experts warn that leaving your towel near your bed after showering can create an ideal environment for dust mites and other bacteria, particularly staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium is commonly found on beds but can become life-threatening if it enters the bloodstream.
To prevent this cross-contamination, experts recommend keeping your towel in the bathroom, away from the bacteria in your bedroom, and washing it at least every three uses. The number of bacteria harboured on your towel can multiply exponentially after each shower.