Have you ever worn your outside clothes in bed?

After a terrible pandemic and a huge lockdown period, there’s a great emphasis on hygiene, and bacteria, dirt, and germs are at the top of my mind. Because of this, more and more people started to dress differently when they returned home following a day out. To be more exact, they now wear different clothes before settling into the couch or bed.

But what can you do when you’re too tired to take off your blouse and prefer to sit down for five minutes before you change into something more comfortable? I don’t know about you, but I hate putting my head on a pillow while wearing makeup, and while I don’t want to wear my outside clothes in bed, I don’t mind sitting on my bed but without getting under the sheets. I don’t know if that makes any sense or if you agree with me on this one, but I’ve decided to talk to the pros.

I asked experts to weigh in on whether it makes sense for the ordinary person to change clothes when they get home. Since I like being informed, I also asked them to break down some of the science behind the idea. If you want to know whether it’s okay to wear your outside clothes in bed or not, keep reading:

1. Contamination

Of course, the attitude toward laundry can be different from one person to another. We all live in different cities, regions, and households, so it makes sense to have different preferences. For instance, people living in NYC are more exposed to toxins, other people, public transportation, and pollution, so they might want to keep those things outside, not bring them into the bed they’re about to sleep in.

Since this is all about contamination, it’s safe to say that the pandemic has changed many of our habits. Even if we’re used to COVID-19, there are many other germs and bacteria to worry about. Whether you work as a teacher, nurse, farmer, factory worker, or you’re retired, there’s a slight chance you come into contact with germs every day.

If you dislike the idea of bringing irritating contaminants into your home, it’s wise to refrain from wearing your outdoor clothes in bed. To make sure everything is clean, check out the American Cleaning Institute’s Levels of Laundry guidelines, which tell you everything you need to know about health concerns that might necessitate more frequent washing of laundry.

2. Allergens

Another reason why experts say it’s best to not wear your outside clothes in bed is due to allergies. If you or someone in your household suffers from allergies, it can make it worse. Outdoor allergens, such as pollen or other environmental pollutants, can stick to your clothing, then transfer to other surfaces and make symptoms worse.

To avoid this, immediately put your outside clothes into the wash and change into something comfy you only wear inside. If you’re looking for a great laundry detergent that’s also hypoallergenic and good for sensitive skin, I couldn’t recommend this one enough.

3. Pathogens

If you come into contact with pathogens, you should never wear your outside clothes in bed. Whether you work in a hospital or spend time with sick people or animals, or if your clothing items are visibly soiled, you need to immediately change into something comfy and clean before sitting on any furniture.

Moreover, suppose someone in your household is immunocompromised or suffers from medical issues like burns and open wounds. In that case, it’s very important to be cautious about any type of pathogen that might be trapped in your home.

If not, you probably won’t run into problems because you didn’t get dressed before relaxing on your couch. If the mere thought of your jeans touching your couch after they touched the subway seat makes you feel a bit queasy, you’re not alone. And if changing your clothes before jumping onto your bed gives you a little peace of mind, it’s totally worth it.

What about laundry frequency?

Even if you don’t wear outside clothes in bed, regularly washing your laundry is one of the safest ways to get rid of dirt, germs, and bacteria, avoid allergies, and keep your home fresh. That and, of course, washing your hands.

From a laundry science perspective, experts recommend washing your clothes after each wear. While this might seem excessive, the reasoning is solid: your clothes are exposed to body oils, sweat, and outside contaminants daily. This exposure can lead to the buildup of soils and bacteria on the fabric, which can affect both hygiene and the longevity of your clothing.

Even if your clothes still smell like perfume and you didn’t even break a sweat, I can guarantee there’s something to wash off. If you don’t believe me, here’s what experts discovered during their tests: the average adult secretes no less than 40 grams of body grease or sebum, 10 grams of salt, 10 grams of skin cells, and around 1 liter of sweat per day. That’s incredible, and just think of how much our clothes hold onto!

Even if you don’t wear your outside clothes in bed and immediately change into something comfy and indoors-only, your garments are constantly in contact with body soil, so it’s important to clean them off to prevent dinginess and annoying odors.

What happens to your linens when you wear your outside clothes in bed?

No doubt hopping into fresh and cozy pajamas each night will help your bedding stay clean. As you can already tell, dirt and other trace materials can easily jump from one fabric to another, so just imagine what mess you make (even if you don’t see it) when you wear your outside clothes in bed.

However, just because you have special outfits you only wear inside doesn’t mean you can skip bedsheet wash day. To keep things fresh and healthy, experts recommend washing your sheets every one to two weeks. If you’re a heavy sweater, eat in bed, sleep with a pet, or sleep naked, you should consider washing your sheets even more frequently.

So, do you really need to change your clothes when you come back home?

While this recommendation isn’t a necessity for everyone, experts say it’s best to never wear your outside clothes in bed. Changing into fresh clothes helps minimize the dirt, bacteria, and allergens you bring in from outside. Plus, it gives your body a break from the sweat and oils that accumulate on your clothing throughout the day, making it a simple habit that benefits both your hygiene and comfort.

Even if it might not seem like it, this tip will help you feel more relaxed and healthier. It puts you in a great headspace, helps you breathe better, and helps you wind down after a hard day. I can feel comfy all day in a wonderful outfit, but the second I get home and I feel the urge to lay on the couch, it’s like all of a sudden my pants are tight, my shirt makes me itchy, and my belt is killing me. It’s only a weird sensation, but I feel better once I put them in the laundry basket and then jump onto my bed.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you wear your outside clothes in bed? Let’s chat in the comments below! If you find this post interesting and would like to check out something else from The American House, here’s a good article for you: Get Rid of Mosquitoes Fast: 5 Ways to Protect Your Yard and Home