Cleanliness
Airing and washing
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In my book, I say you don’t want to launder children’s bedding too often, because “those sheets will tell you when they need to be changed.” This is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek nod to my experience, that no sooner would I launder the sheets just because, than everyone would start throwing up, and it would all have to be done again.
I felt the universe was trying to tell me not to bother; that it would let me know.
However, that said, keeping things clean, especially in the bedroom, is better for everyone’s health.
Mites are real and are all around, not that this is something you should dwell on too much, because it’s really gross. So without thinking about it or looking up any pictures, let me suggest a few things as we go into spring cleaning and if you’re noticing general stuffed noses, coughing, and sneezing (and crusty eyes — here is an interesting account of a simple remedy):
Open the window when you clean the room; pull back the shades and curtains. According to old-fashioned principles, pull the covers all the way down to air before making the bed, and consider folding them at the bottom of the bed, leaving the bottom sheet exposed to air and light. At the minimum, teach your children to fling covers all the way off, go do their ablutions and get dressed, and then make the bed.
Wash the pillows on a regular basis. Use pillow protectors (100% cotton will do and are more breathable) and occasionally wash those also. And wash the pillowcases. Order of frequency: pillowcases, protectors, pillows. Hang them on the line if possible. Sunshine is your friend.
Use mattress covers (100% cotton for those who are continent, waterproof for those who are not). Launder them regularly. Flip, rotate, and air the mattress once in a while.
Wash stuffed animals and blankies. Dust (with damp cloth) all around including under the bed. All the dust is harboring the mites… you don’t have to be insane about it, but this is where good housewifery makes a difference in everyone’s general health.
Having a caring mother, willing to do the work, tends towards the well being of the family!
Dorothy Cordelia Phyllis Ward
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For the longer version of this Substack and much more on this topic:
My 3-volume book on Order and Wonder in Family Life:
Thank you! This is the good motherly nudge that I needed to find some energy to do all this. My other go-to nudge is to read Florence Nightingale’s Notes on Nursing (on project Gutenberg if curious). Her strong feelings about carpet in sickrooms and dusting with anything but a damp cloth are wonderful! She’s very spunky.
All of our bedrooms are hardwood with some kind of area rug, but we’ve been thinking of installing carpet in the children’s bedroom above the garage, as it is cold in winter and hot in summer.
This thought about dust mites has me rethinking carpet. Any advice on wood vs carpet for keeping a fresh clean home?