The Gross Truth About How Often You Should Clean Your Pillow
The question:How often should I clean my pillow?
The answer:Every three weeks for the outer cover, and every three months for the pillow itself.
The concern is less about the pillow breaking down and more aboutthe host of critters and debristhat can be found in the pillow you lay your face on night after night. Dirt, oil and dead skin cells get trapped there, whichmay lead to acne. Dust mites, which belong to the spider family, also like to hang out in the crevices of your pillow. "You can't see them, but they're concentrated in things like bedding and carpeting," says Mark R. Neustrom, DO, of Kansas City Allergy and Asthma Associates.
Dust mite accumulation can cause very real health problems, namely unpleasant reactions in people who are allergic to the bugs. Neustrom says that of all people with allergies,around two thirds of them may be allergic to the types of dust mites that congregate indoors.
And unlike allergens like cat dander, the protein that triggers reactions to dust mites isn't typically airborne, he says, so symptoms that are particularly strong first thing in the morning is a good sign the problem might be your pillow. Anyone with year-round nasal symptoms also might want to get tested for a dust mite allergy, he says.
So buy a cover for your pillow, and clean both items frequently.
Zippered pillow protectorscertainly help mite and buildup woes, as can washing pillows regularly. Interior design expert Robin Wilson recommendswashing your pillow cover every three weeksin the washing machine. Then,wash the pillow itself every three months: Down-alternative pillows cango in the washing machine, while down feather pillows should be dry cleaned. Thirty minutes on low in the dryer can help clear out some of the clutter from your pillows between cleanings, says Robert Oexman, DC, director of the Sleep to Live Institute.
Depending on your cleaning habits and allergies, you may need to replace your pillows as often asevery six months, he adds. Wilson saysevery three yearsis okay, but you should focus more on keeping your current pillows clean. "People talk about how nasty a mattress gets," says Oexman, but pillows are more frequently forgotten. Youmustkeep them clean!
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
