1. Dirt And Oil Can Build Up. While your pillowcase may look clean at first glance, there's actually all sorts of tiny but nefarious things going on. "Not washing your pillowcase regularly results in a build-up of many things including oil, dirt, dead skin cells, and even breakout-causing bacteria," Axe says.
Why wash your pillows. While you sleep, your body sheds thousands of dead skin cells. They in turn attract dust mites, which, although harmless, do produce droppings that contain allergens. Letting these build up can trigger anything from asthma and rhinitis to itchy eyes.
In general, you should aim to clean regularly used pillows about every six months. Pillows in guest spaces and rooms that don't get used frequently need far fewer washes. Here are a few signs it's time to wash your pillows: The pillow or pillow cover is starting to look yellow.
Can old pillows make you sick? Old pillows can expose you to filthy bacteria, such as dust mites, mold, and mildew. Long-term mold exposure can cause health issues and may cause you to experience itchy eyes, difficulty breathing, and a runny nose.
Dust, Bacteria, And Allergens
We spend all night with our face and hair on the pillowcase, and they are exposed to our body oil, saliva, and skin dander. Most pillows show traces of fungus, bacteria, dust mites, and allergens when not washed regularly.
If your pillow can be washed, it should be washed at least twice a year. If you eat in bed, have pets, or sweat a lot, you should wash pillows quarterly. Special pillows like body pillows or throw pillows should be cleaned every 3 to 6 months.
Although most pillows have a tag giving laundering instructions, few people bother to wash them. We think they're shielded from the day-to-day grit and grime of life, thanks to the pillowcase. Or else, that washing them may ruin them.
Dry Clean Only: These pillows should be taken to a professional dry cleaner, and should not be washed. Submerging them in water may damage the fill or cover. The tag may also say “Do not wash.” Spot Clean Only: Clean spots and stains on the surface, rather than washing the entire pillow.
Not washing your sheets regularly exposes you to the fungi, bacteria, pollen, and animal dander that are commonly found on sheets and other bedding. Other things found on sheets include bodily secretions, sweat, and skin cells.
Sweat. We all sweat at night, and over time sweat can seep through your pillowcase and onto your pillow. Eventually, this will cause your pillow to yellow. Sweat stains are the most common reason for pillow yellowing.
Most experts recommend replacing pillows every 1 to 2 years. Doing so helps to ensure that you're using pillows that are supportive, clean, and free of allergens. It is also important to care for the pillows you use to ensure their longevity. Generally, you'll be able to tell when it's time to replace your pillows.
Most people should wash their sheets once per week. If you don't sleep on your mattress every day, you may be able to stretch this to once every two weeks or so. Some people should wash their sheets even more often than once a week.
Another study found that unwashed pillow cases and sheets had up to 39 times more bacteria than pet-food bowls and several thousand times more bacteria than a toilet seat.
Pillows left in storage or in damp environments for long periods may end up with ugly and potentially harmful mold and mildew spots that you need to remove before you can use the pillow again. Prevent mold and mildew on pillows by drying completely before using and airing them out in humid environments.
The general rule of thumb is that if your pillow is made of synthetic fibres, it may be toxic. Most pillows that have been made of synthetic materials like polyurethane foam have been sprayed with flame retardants. There is only one way to make flame retardants and that is with chemicals.
“Open up an older pillow, and it's a cesspool of mold, mildew, fungus, dust mites and mite feces,” said bedding expert Dan Schecter. That's a problem for people with allergies. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology estimates that some 10 percent of Americans have fungal sensitivity.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recommends that you replace your pillow every two years or sooner. This is because pillows can get pretty gross. Pillows can contain allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and even mold once they reach the end of their lifespan.
Every night you rest your head on a pillow full of not only millions of dust mite, but potentially harmful fungus spores. The United Kingdom researchers at University of Manchester, found one of the most common types of fungus in pillows is a mould called Aureobasidium pullulans.
Be certain to dry your pillow(s) very thoroughly so they don't mold or mildew. It will take about 2-3 hours (or longer) to completely dry a standard size pillow at low heat.
Gentle Works Best – Choose a low-sudsing laundry detergent when washing down pillows to avoid soap residue and to avoid having the feathers clump together. Also, make it a point to use less detergent than you normally would and set your washing machine to the delicate cycle to take care of the feather filling.
Due to sweat and fluids from colds and other viruses, your pillow can harbour harmful bacteria including mold, fungi and dust mites that you will breathe in every night. Studies have shown that pillows could hold up to 1 million bacterial spores that could trigger allergies, headaches and other health issues.
Surprisingly, there is a strong link between dirty pillows and ear infections. And while no research proves that ear infections are caused by bacteria on the pillow, a large amount of anecdotal evidence suggests a clean pillowcase can help prevent ear infections.
You might be tempted to blame your pillowcase if you're noticing hairs on your pillow in the morning. But, there is no evidence that pillowcases cause or contribute to hair loss.
“Washing once a week is best,” says lifestyle expert Cheryl Nelson. “But definitely wash sheets AT LEAST once every two weeks. That's the maximum amount of time you should go.
Do You Really Need to Wash New Sheets Before Using Them? The short answer is — yes. Why? Because sheets are produced in dusty, dirty factories and often made with dyes and chemicals like butane, propane, and formaldehyde that can irritate skin, eyes, and airways, especially for those with sensitive skin or allergies.