Expert Says Not Washing Pillows Often Enough Can Make People Sick

Lex Gabrielle
white pillow on a white bed with yellow wall
Unsplash | Jude Infantini

When it comes to caring for our home and cleaning, many of us are always looking for the easy ways out.

We constantly want to push things off further and further because, well, we're busy and we have a lot going on. We don't all have time to do a deep clean once or twice a week, and things can pile up.

One thing we always neglect is the laundry.

laundry in a blue hamper
Unsplash | Annie Spratt

Laundry takes a ton of time out of our day, especially when we have to strip the bed and wash the sheets. It's not that the laundry itself takes a ton of time, but having to stay home and wait around for it to be done and switch machines can be tedious.

Due to this, many people leave things for too long without getting washed.

white sheets
Unsplash | Justine Camacho

Sheets and bedding oftentimes go a long time without getting washed, especially when our schedules get backed up. However, this can be detrimental to your health apparently, and can even be the reason you're getting sick.

A bed expert has opened up about the correlation between sheets and illness.

cat laying in bed sheets
Unsplash | Kate Stone Matheson

Malik Karman from Eachnight Mattresses shared recently that many people do not wash their sheets often enough. In fact, Karman says that you should always be washing your sheets once a week—especially your pillowcases.

Pillows can have a link to poor healthcare and issues.

pillows stacked on top of each other
Unsplash | the blowup

"Pillows absorb many things throughout the night, such as skin oils, sweat, dead cells, dust, and other allergens and irritants," Karman shared. These irritants can have an impact on an individual's overall health.

Pillowcases should get washed with sheets once a week.

laundry in washing machine purple
Unsplash | engin akyurt

However, if you are someone with oily skin or hair, you can benefit from doubling up. Karman says that twice a week would be good if you are someone who sweats a lot, has greasy hair, or if you notice any other issues.

Washing your pillowcases can eliminate a lot of issues.

white pillows on white sheets
Unsplash | Sincerely Media

"Cleaning a pillowcase can eliminate skin oils and other allergens that collect in the fabric, ensuring the surface stays clean and comfortable," Karman added. This can ensure that you are going to sleep without any worries of dirty and irritants.

Your pillows, however, can go on a bit longer.

gray pillow
Unsplash | Agata Create

While pillowcases should get washed once to twice a week, the pillow itself can go a bit longer. Many people neglect to wash their pillows at all, thinking that they only need to wash their pillowcases.

You can go four to six months between pillow washes.

pillow with flowers near it
Unsplash | Jude Infantini

Before you put your pillows in the washing machine, you should read the tag and instructions to ensure you are washing them the right way. The last thing anyone wants to do is ruin their comfortable pillows.

When you wash your pillows, add tennis balls into the machine.

tennis balls and tennis racket
Unsplash | Cristina Anne Costello

Karman says that adding tennis balls to the washing machine, or even buying laundry balls from Amazon or other shops, can ensure that the pillows stay fluffy and comfortable.

You can also replace pillows, as well.

pillow in bed against a headboard
Unsplash | Nathan Waters

If you are someone who sweats a lot and notice that your pillows are turning yellow or brown, replacing them could be a good idea. Sweat can trap bacteria and this can increase the risk for illness.

So next time you clean, don't skip the pillows.

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Giphy | For(bes) The Culture

Even if you want to put off dusting or sweeping for the week, remember that putting off your laundry of sheets and pillowcases can cause bigger problems down the road—like, getting sick and running yourself down.