Sleep hygiene is a broad term about sleeping better. That mean habits such as turning off screens, getting enough exercise, and scheduling sleep to your natural circadian rhythms, but it also means keeping your sleeping spaces clean and comfortable.

Here are some tips on how to maximize your sleeping spaces for ultimate comfort.

Pillows don’t last forever.

How long do they last? It depends on the pillow. There is a helpful trick to help you determine this. The stuffing should work like a spring to hold your head. If you bend a pillow in half and hold it down for a few seconds and it bounces back to its flat position, it is probably fine. If not, it has lost some of its structural integrity.

If you need (or want) new pillows, check out Thomas Lee’s Down and Down Alternative pillows!

Make sure you are washing your bedding.

How often?

If you sleep on your bed every night, you should be washing your sheets at least once a week.

You may want to change your pillowcases even more frequently since they touch your face. You could aim for changing your pillowcase every other or every third day, especially if you suffer from acne or skin rashes.

If you sleep with a blanket between the sheet and duvet, you will want to wash it every 2-3 months and duvet covers approximately once a month.

All of these items would need to be washed more frequently than recommended if you have asthma, allergies or pets or have been sick.

Washing comforters comes down to what kind of comforter it is. If it is not down, you should wash it once every 2-3 months. More about caring for down here.
Thomas Lee’s percale sheets and duvet cover stand up to washing beautifully, even getting softer with time and use!

What about the mattress?

Picking the right mattress is quite complex and will be different for everyone. A back sleeper may prefer a different mattress than a side sleeper. People with back conditions may need a mattress with different support or height. It is important to invest in the right mattress for your needs.

Different mattresses have different wear and there are different recommendations for how often it should be replaced. Although it may seem painful, it is best to invest in the right mattress and replace it when needed.

A mattress topper may also be helpful in this endeavor. Some pillow-type mattress toppers can’t be washed, so read the care tag before you attempt to wash your mattress topper. If you can wash it, then ideally, you should every 2 months, more frequently than that if you have allergies, pets or have been sick. You can also clean your mattress when you wash the topper.

For a truly luxurious experience, Thomas Lee sells a Down Filled Mattress Pad that will make you feel like you are sleeping on a cloud! Furthermore, it comes with a machine washable cotton cover making it at once comfortable and protective. 

Make yourself comfortable.

A clean, uncluttered space is a happy, comfortable space. Try and keep your bedroom free of unnecessary clutter or items that belong in other spaces of the house. For example, limit eating and drinking in your bedroom and take any dishes that belong in the kitchen sink to the kitchen sink.

Showering before bed and giving lotions time to absorb before lying down is also a good practice to keep bedding clean.

Science says that we sleep best in a cool room. The optimum sleep temperature is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Try to reduce light and noise in your bedroom, especially close to bedtime hours. You can do this by adding heavier drapes, an eye mask, ear plugs or white noise machine. A fan can also be useful for this and keeping cool.

Sleep well, friends!