I mentioned in my previous post about starting to clean when you’re not sure where to begin that making the bed daily is super important to me. I wanted to talk a bit more about how making the bed helps me and why I feel it’s an important part of my daily routine.
It’s a Reminder That There’s No “Done” in Cleaning
I know many people feel like making the bed is a Sisyphean task since you’ll just sleep in it again. If you look at cleaning as something that is “done,” there are so many tasks that are done that have to be done again. Dusting, dishes, laundry, vacuuming, wiping counters, etc. I find that getting into the mindset where cleaning has a point where it’s “done” is dangerous for my mental health. That’s where point 2 comes in.
It’s a Guage of My Mental Health
Making the bed is the easiest chore to skip. No living thing will perish or get sick if I don’t make the bed. But it’s an easy chore with a huge impact. It takes only a few minutes, and I usually do it right after breakfast (I fold the blankets to air out the bed before heading downstairs), when I head upstairs to grab the laundry for the day.
It Makes Other Chores Easier
If the bed is made, it provides a workspace for me to fold laundry and put away later once it’s dried. I often sort kids’ clean laundry on the bed instead of on the washer since I can sit while doing it (super-important some days since my knees can be quite angry). When I dust, dust doesn’t get between the covers or on the pillows – it’s super important for allergies. If I need to sort a lot of things, it’s handy for that as well.
It Instantly Makes the Room Feel Cleaner
When the bed is unmade, even if the rest of the room is immaculate, it feels messy. If the room is a mess, making the bed can help it feel less chaotic. It helps me to feel more motivated to work on the rest of the room.
I Rest Better at Night with a Properly Made Bed
It just feels better to get into bed when the sheets are clean, and the bed is made. It also keeps me from napping in the middle of the day (important when working from home).
So there you have it—the reasons I feel that making the bed is a vital part of a daily routine. I encourage my kids to make their beds for the same reason. Now it’s time for the moment of truth: When was the last time you made your bed? Secret: I did not make my bed this morning.
