Adults in the UK spend an average of 8 hours and 56 minutes sleeping and as such, having a fresh smelling bed is essential. A fresh-smelling bed is integral for a host of reasons such as improving sleep quality, boosting mood, and to enhance one’s overall well-being.

But one seemingly innocent mistake most make could be hampering your inviting bed as it is “essentially trapping any moisture in there” with rather unpleasant results. According to Good Housekeeping, in order to have the freshest smelling bed that’s bacteria-free too, you shouldn't make your bed - at least not soon after you get out of it.

We’ve always been told that making your bed in the morning is one of the best habits a person can adopt if they want a tidy home and a clear mind.

But experts have flipped this advice on its head, warning against doing this first thing in the morning and, rather, leaving the bed unmade for a while.

That's because a person’s bed, as lovely as it may be, is also known to be a breeding ground for bacteria.

Often, the moisture that’s secreted from the body through sweating gets trapped in bedsheets and pillows, which also increases the risk of dust mites.

We lose around 285ml or half a pint of moisture through sweating per night and with hot nights soon to become a reality as the summer months creep in, it could mean a whole lot of sweat and germs.

“That’s why you shouldn’t make your bed as soon as you wake in the morning as you’re essentially trapping any moisture in there from the previous night,” read the publication.

Adding: “Instead, pull the duvet back (completely off the bed if possible), open a window, and leave the bed to air for at least a couple of hours.

"By opening a window you will help discourage any mould growth in your home as it allows any musty odours and residual moisture to escape.

“Fluff up your pillows as well, so the fibres in the filling can breathe and vent better.”

Mattress expert and managing director of And So To Bed, Martin Gill echoed this advice and added: “By making our beds in the morning we are trapping in that moisture and not allowing it to evaporate, which could lead to issues within the mattress fibres, especially in the warmer months when we sweat more'.

Experts further advise washing your bedding weekly alongside pillows and mattresses as they are notorious for trapping sweat, dust and other odours over time with some even suggesting airing out your mattress monthly.