Looking to improve your bed hygiene? Here are five affordable bedding products that make it easier to keep your bed clean. 

Bed hygiene is one of the most underrated aspects to good sleep and your overall health. We’ve written before about how a dirty mattress and bedding can make you sick. 

In addition to changing your sheets frequently and not eating in bed, use these products to protect yourself from mold, dust mites, bacteria and fungi on your bed. 

1. Waterproof Mattress Protector 

If you don't already have a mattress protector, get one as soon as possible and make sure it’s the waterproof kind. 

Getting a mattress protector is one of the best things you can do to improve bed hygiene. Because you can’t clean a mattress, like you can sheets and other bedding, it can build up with a lot of icky stuff that affects your skin and can make you sick. 

A waterproof mattress protector keeps your mattress free of dirt, allergens, bacteria, mold and other stuff. It is especially helpful if you sweat a lot in bed (keeps moisture from getting into the mattress, where it can attract mold and germs), if your pet spends time on your bed or if you sometimes eat on the bed. 

2. Duvet Cover 

A duvet cover is like a mattress protector, but for your comforter, blanket or quilt. While most comforters and blankets can be laundered, they are not supposed to be washed too often as that can reduce their lifespan. 

You should wash your comforter only once every few months. The problem is that it can get just as dirty as your bedsheets. If the comforter is in contact with your skin, it builds up with dead skin cells, body oils and dirt. Dust mites, pollen, and other allergens can also collect on top of the comforter.

If it gets really dirty, your comforter or blanket can actually make you sick. Putting it inside a duvet cover protects it from becoming home to allergens, germs and dirt. 

A duvet cover is a lot easier to keep clean. You can wash it just as often as you do your sheets — once or twice a week. 

The Hercleon Jax duvet cover provides extra protection with its antimicrobial treatment. It kills bacteria, helping keep your bed more hygienic and protecting you from acne and other infections. 

3. Top Sheet

A top sheet does the same thing as a duvet cover. It acts as a barrier between you and the comforter, ensuring the comforter stays cleaner for longer. 

If you use a top sheet, you can use your comforter or blanket as is without a duvet cover. But we highly recommend using both a top sheet and duvet cover. That’s because a top sheet on its own won’t keep airborne particles like dust, pollen and pet hair from settling on your comforter. 

4. Waterproof Dog Bed Cover 

It’s best if your dog doesn't get on your bed. Their fur carries a lot of dander, dust mites, pollen, bacteria and parasites that can transfer onto your bed and affect your health. It can be especially bad for people with allergies or respiratory issues. 

But if you have to have your dog on your bed occasionally, use a waterproof dog bed cover. These covers are also great for use on the couch. 

A dog bed cover keeps the worst stuff clinging onto your pet’s fur from getting on your bedding. 

5. Mattress Vacuum Cleaner

Since you cannot wash your mattress, vacuuming it is the next best option. You can use a regular or handheld vacuum cleaner to clean your bed. We recommend sprinkling baking soda on the bed first to deodorize it. 

I’ve recently discovered there are handheld vacuum cleaners designed specifically for cleaning a mattress. What’s so special about them?

For one, they use a HEPA filter that can capture really small particles like mold spores, dust mites, pet hair, pollen and fine dust. So these bed vacuums clean your mattress more thoroughly. Note that some regular vacuums also have a HEPA filter, but not all of them.

Many bed vacuum cleaners also incorporate a UV light that’s highly effective at killing bacteria, fungi, mold, viruses and even bedbugs. So the vacuum cleans and sanitizes the mattress.