To wonder why some MNetters need their bed to be sterile.

[Lookingforbargains]

Inspired by another thread (and by the general madness that is part and parcel of anything cleanliness-related on MN)…

Why are some people so determined that no (shudder) outdoor germs/nastiness gets anywhere near their bed? I mean, I can understand a basic level of care - not putting your outdoor shoes on the duvet, or your handbag on your pillow - but some people seemingly have to put on a full hazmat suit before sitting on the end of their own bed.

Now I understand wanting to keep it fresh, but why the fear of supposed germs that MNetters seem to think will be transferred to the bed? Why are these germs not scary on the sofa? Do people lick their beds, or perhaps want to keep open the option of performing surgery therein?

It’s pretty clear from other threads that it is mumsnet law to shower in the morning, so how much can it really matter if your bed isn’t totally sterile?!

I guess if you've been on a lot of public transport you might be concerned about bedbugs hitching a ride on your clothing and transferring to your bedding.

But if you were really worried you'd be better leaving your clothes on the doorstep. Once in the house the bedbugs could get anywhere.

I don’t put shoes on the bed but other than that I couldn’t even begin to be arsed to be worrying about not putting my handbag down on it, or never letting “outside” clothes touch my bedding

My cat sleeps at the foot end of my bed, but is an immaculate groomer - she has never left a mark on the duvet. I have had cats for forty years and most of them have slept there. Neither I nor the DC seem to have suffered any ill effects, and I expect our immune systems have benefited, if anything, from having exposure to pet antigens.

@BrightYellowDaffodil
same here. I wear shoes upstairs too!

I wonder what germs people are avoiding that they have left downstairs?

Our bed is changed 2tothree times a week My dogs think nothing of getting in it neither does dH.

I'm not arsed about outside clothes on my bed but I think sharing a bed with dogs is gross. People differ in what they're comfortable with.

Good for you want a medal 🏅 🙄

Sorry but I have a shower in the evening so my bed is nice and clean (unsure why but I like it feeling fresh and dirt free), because of this I won't shower in the morning. I still feel clean from the night before and don't smell gross so don't see why I would have to... shoot me down if you must guys!

I honestly don’t walk about a city centre and smell urine, vomit or shit and I have a very strong sense of smell! Traffic fumes or food certainly but nothing to disgust me not to contaminate my house.

Clinically diagnosed OCD.

Must be something in the water.

I only shower at night... am I in trouble?

I must be a minger then . Sir on my bed if you want to with clothes on that have been worn outdoors . No shower or bath ? No problem.
Cat climbed up for a sleep ? Aww cute .

I'm a minger though as I don't mind either my dog or cat sleeping on my bed and regularly have sex in it too, which is the biggest cause of needing to change the sheets.

Is dog and cat sex really that messy?

@Breziegrass No need to be sarcastic - I wasn't being rude - it genuinely never occurred to me that it would be any kind of risk.

Apparently yes... I've seen numerous posters on here talking about putting towels down on the bed before sex, stripping the bed immediately after sex etc.

I'm actually astonished some people manage to have sex at all, given the laboratory levels of sterility they seem to require for their beds.

😂😂

I always wonder how people like this manage to have sex.

I'm a minger too.
No bed cleanliness rules here. Cat gets under the duvet with us, wear what you want I don't have indoor and outdoor clothes, just clothes. I change the sheet when I can be bothered (about once every two weeks) and a bed picnic is the best meal in the world.
We've not contracted any deadly diseases so far.

Different cultures do things differently. It’s common in West Indian culture to have house clothes so you just wouldn’t sit down on your bed in clothes you’ve worn outside. Obviously if it happens it’s not the end of the world but from young you’re encouraged to change into house clothes as soon as you enter the house. It just becomes a habit when growing up

I get the strong impression that people like this only bother with sex for reproductive purposes as opposed to pleasure.

I can't imagine that having to put a tarpaulin down before intercourse would be conducive to relaxation.

That used to happen in Britain too until about the 80s. Nothing to do with sterility. It was because clothes were expensive so you were keeping your nice outside clothes decent and lounging around at home in older clothes.

I spend most of my day’s getting on and off the bus, sitting on the horrible tube that hasn’t been cleaned in 20 years. I don’t want to go home and sit on my bed with those same dirty clothes. I also sleep in a vest and shorts so really don’t want those sort of germs in my bed and on my skin!

Yeah it’s kind of the same really. Any older clothes that had holes or became a bit too small would just be kept as clothes to wear inside the house. Your nicer clothes are for outside

Can't cope with people who are clean freaks. I'm sitting on my bed with outdoor clothes on now (not shoes) and it would never even cross my mind not to do this unless my clothes were covered in mud, glue or glitter etc! I'm averagely clean and tidy but germophobes who preach to others about cleanliness wind me up and I always assume they have MH issues.

A bit of dirt has been proven to be good for kids' immune systems anyway.