according to recent contamination tests which used AP bioluminescence testing. The study reveals that our beloved childhood blankets and teddies are much dirtier than commonly thought, with levels often exceeding those of toilet seats and bin lids In fact, teddy bears can be up to 650% dirtier than a bin lid and 229% dirtier than a toilet seat, while blankets tested were 554% dirtier than a bin lid, and teddy bears were 650% dirtier!
The study also includes expert commentary from Dr. Snieguole Geige, a medical doctor, who warned of potential health hazards like frequent infections, respiratory issues, and skin conditions caused by neglecting to wash these items. Martin Seeley, Senior Sleep Expert at MattressNextDay, also weighs in on the impact that unwashed blankets and teddies can have on sleep hygiene and getting a good night’s rest.
The full press release is below, containing more information. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need any further details!
Thank you,
Megan
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The average childhood teddy harbours twice the germs of a toilet seat – according to new study
- New research using contamination tests by MattressNextDay reveals that your blankets and teddies could be harbouring more bacteria than a toilet seat
- Blankets swabbed were 554% dirtier than a bin lid and 195% dirtier than a toilet seat
- Childhood teddy bears swabbed were 650% dirtier than a bin lid and 229% dirtier than a toilet seat
- Dr. Snieguole Geige, Medical Doctor at the It’s Me And You Clinic, warns of the health hazards of not regularly washing our blankets and teddies including “frequent infections, respiratory issues, or skin conditions”
Whether a child, or a big child at heart, many of us have our childhood teddies or blankets we keep close to us every night. But, have you ever considered how much bacteria these could be harbouring?
New research by MattressNextDay has revealed that our childhood teddy bears could be harbouring over 6 times the dirt of your bin, and twice as much dirt as your toilet seat. There’s nothing more comforting than curling up in front of the TV with your favourite comfort blanket, but if you haven’t given your blanket a wash in a while, it’s something to consider, with new research finding that the average blanket is almost twice as dirty as the average toilet seat, and 6.5 times dirtier than the average bin.
Two fifths (43%) of the blankets and almost three in ten (29%) of the teddy bears swabbed came up with readings of over 1000 units, with the average RLPU hitting 1,629 for blankets and 1,910 for teddy bears.
| Rank | Item | Average RLU | Median RLU |
| 1 | Teddy Bear | 1,910 | 446 |
| 2 | Blanket | 1,629 | 874 |
| 3 | Toilet Seat | 836 | 752 |
| 4 | Bin | 294 | 163 |
The test method was an ATP bioluminescence test, which measures the amount of adenosine triphosphate — a molecule found in and around living cells — on a particular surface, indicating level of cleanliness.
To provide a comparison, the team at MattressNextDay also swabbed a number of toilet seats and the inside of bin lids to determine how the levels of bacteria compared to that of blankets and teddies. This revealed that blankets were on average 554% – nearly four times – dirtier than a bin lid. Childhood teddy bears were also revealed to be 6.5 times, or 650%, dirtier than a bin lid.
Commenting on the health hazards of not washing your blankets and teddys, Dr. Snieguole Geige, Medical Doctor at the It’s Me And You Clinic said:
“I cannot overstate the hidden dangers of neglecting to wash blankets and teddy bears. These seemingly innocent items are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria, fungi, and allergens. The recent bioluminescence test results showing high RLU levels on swabbed teddy bears and blankets reveal a concerning truth that these items can accumulate a shocking amount of microbial contamination that often goes unnoticed.
“Bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli are common culprits but what many overlook is the way these pathogens thrive in warm, humid environments exactly the conditions teddy bears and blankets create. In children, whose immune systems are still developing, I warn that the risks are even more pronounced. Repeated exposure to these microbes can lead to frequent infections, respiratory issues, or skin conditions, all of which could be easily prevented with regular cleaning.
“The accumulation of dust mites and mould on unwashed plush items can also trigger allergic reactions and exacerbate asthma. The reality I point out here is that we’re not just dealing with dirt. We’re dealing with hidden health hazards that pose a real risk especially in homes with young children or individuals with compromised immune systems. Cleaning these items should be a priority to safeguard health and well-being.”
With this in mind, the team at MattressNextDay are urging Brits not to forget to wash their favourite home comforts with Martin Seeley, Senior Sleep Expert at MattressNextDay outlining:
“Our research has shown that areas we typically consider ‘dirty,’ such as toilet seats and bins, can actually be cleaner than expected because we clean them frequently. However, home comforts like stuffed animals and blankets may be harbouring more bacteria than we realise.
“This build-up of bacteria can have a significant impact not only on our overall health but also on our sleep hygiene, as it can lead to dust mites and trigger allergies—potentially disrupting our ability to get a good night’s rest.
A general rule of thumb is to wash stuffed toys and blankets at least once a month at a minimum temperature of 60°C to kill bacteria and mites. However, always check the care label before washing. If you take your blanket to bed every night, you should wash it more frequently. On average, we sweat around 25 millilitres per hour of sleep, meaning our bedding can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria.”
To discover more information on how often you should change your bedding, and to view full results of the study, please visit: https://www.mattressnextday.co.uk/snooze-news/post/how-dirty-are-teddy-bears-and-blankets
