Vindication

I can see now that I have had the right idea all along. According to scientists at Kingston University in London, unmade beds are healthier.

Study: Dust Mites Don't Thrive In Unmade Beds

Mothers across the nation scold their children to make their beds, but researchers say the untidy mess of blankets may ward off critters that trigger asthma and some types of allergies.

Scientists at Kingston University in London found that house dust mites can't survive in the warm, dry conditions found in an unmade bed.

The average bed could be home to up to 1.5 million house dust mites, said researcher Dr. Stephen Pretlove. They feed on scales of human skin, so they love to share our beds, according to a news release from the university.

"The allergens they produce are easily inhaled during sleep and are a major cause of illnesses such as asthma," Pretlove said. "Something as simple as leaving a bed unmade during the day can remove moisture from the sheets and mattress so the mites will dehydrate and eventually die."

The scientists have developed a computer model to track how changes in homes can reduce numbers of dust mites in beds. The next step of their research is to put dust mites into 36 houses around the United Kingdom to investigate how people's daily routines affect mite populations.

"Our findings could help building designers create healthy homes and health care workers point out environments most at risk from mites," Pretlove said.

But if you just can't stand to see your bed unmade, there are other ways to ward off dust mites. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences recommends encasing mattresses and pillows in dust-proof or allergen impermeable covers, and washing all bedding and blankets once a week in hot water.