The Dirty Truth on Pillows

How often do you wash your pillows on your bed each year? How often do you replace your pillows on your bed with fresh, new ones?  If you have had your pillows for years and years, it maybe time to replace them. I try to remember to replace ours at the beginning of every year…New Year…New You…AND…New Pillows! It’s hard to keep up with the upkeep & maintenance of everything in your life…replacing toothbrushes, pillows, bedding, mattresses, etc! So, every new year, I toss out the old pillows on our beds and get new ones. Read about the dirty truth on pillows below!

Xoxoxo

D

Why Replacing Your Pillows are Important! 

10 Important Reasons!!

• Maintain proper spine alignment
• Reduce aches and pains
• Buildup of the body’s skin, hair and oil
• Buildup of odor from sweat
• Buildup of stains from body sweat, oil, saliva
• Dust mites that grow in your pillow
• Weight of dust mites in your pillow impair the ability of the pillow to stay supportive
• Dust mites can worsen symptoms of allergies and cause more sneezing
• Weight of your head can flatten the pillow in spots
• Can cause tension headaches

How Often Should You Change Your Pillows?

Some experts say every 6 Months!!  

Pillows can absorb body oil, sweat and dead skin cells. All of these combined can lead to the growth of bacteria, viruses and even mold. These combined can make the pillow you sleep on every night a toxic center and trigger allergies such as contact dermatitis, eczema, asthma and rhinitis….And even worse become a perfect environment for dust mites, also an allergen.

The National Sleep Foundation tells us to plan on replacing pillows every year or two. There are many different types of pillows now and some last longer than others. Traditional polyester pillows should be replaced every 6 months up to 2 years. Down Alternative pillows should be replaced a little over a year to 2 years. Feather pillows are suggested to be replaced every 2 years. And if you have memory foam pillows, it’s suggested to change these out for new pillows every 2 to 3 years.

Washing your Pillows

Health advisers recommend washing your pillows every six months.  Always check the care label to make sure you can wash your pillows. Some pillows are not recommended to wash.

You can help remove these “allergens” and kill dust mites from your bedding by washing them in hot water, at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4 degrees Celsius) with mild detergent. If you cannot wash all of your bedding or pillows, it is recommended to put the items in the dryer at a high temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes to help kill the dust mites also.

What are Yellow Stains on Pillows?

The pillow in the above pictures on the right has many yellow stains. One of the most common reasons why a pillow turns yellow is sweat.  The best way to get the yellow out of pillows is to soak two pillows in your washing machine on a soak cycle along with 1 cup of bleach for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Then turn on a cycle to wash the pillows normally. Make sure it is set on a high spin speed because some pillows become very heavy with water and may stop a regular spin cycle. The hot water and bleach will help kill anything living in your pillows as well as clean the yucky yellow stains.

Pillow Protectors

Using a protective case between the pillow and pillowcase can help extend the life of your pillow and keeping it clean and fresh!  This case protects the pillow from some of the body oil, sweat and skin cells from settling into the pillow AND this pillow covering is easy to remove and wash and is suggested to wash every 3 to 4 weeks! Having this protective layer can also help prevent dust mites from living in your pillow.

Don’t overlook the importance of pillow protectors for the quality of sleep. These nifty accessories prolong the lifespan of your pillows, keep odors and dirt at bay, and most importantly, reduce the amount of allergens and prevent bed bug infestations. If you have dust, pollen or dander allergies, having pillow protectors may help reduce allergy problems.

Linked below are a couple of brands of pillow protectors to check out!

AllerEase Hot Water Washable Zippered Pillow Protector, Click HERE 

National Allergy, Allergy and Bed Bug Proof Pillow Cover, Click HERE

New Pillows

I really enjoy a fresh new pillow! I purchased these Tri-Cool Memory Fiber Pillows that help keep you cooler and dry!  My husband and I are both hot natured when we sleep. Since I went into menopause early in my late 30s I really have tried to figure out more ways on how to stay cool overnight while sleeping! So if there are pillows that can help with that, I want to give them a try!!

To check out the Tri-Cool Memory Fiber Pillows, Click HERE

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