Overview

• Microbiologist Primrose Freestone advocates for morning showers, citing their ability to remove night-acquired sweat, microbes, and allergens for a cleaner start to the day.
• Body odour is caused by bacteria metabolizing sweat into sulphurous compounds, not by sweat itself, making regular hygiene practices critical.
• Night showers may reduce daytime allergens and sweat on bed linens, but overnight sweating and microbial activity can still lead to body odour and bedding contamination.
• Weekly laundering of bed sheets and pillowcases is essential to prevent microbial build-up, dust mite proliferation, and allergy triggers.
• Unwashed bedding accumulates dead skin cells that feed dust mites, whose droppings can exacerbate allergies and asthma, underscoring the need for consistent hygiene.