During their lifetime of service to your sleep, pillows become a fertile breeding ground for all kinds of bugs, fungi and mold. In fact, one study found that the average pillow actually contains over one million fungal spores!
Notice dark brown rings on your pillows, or a musty, damp odor? Those are indications of mold and mildew growth!
Long-term mold exposure can cause health issues and may cause you to experience itchy eyes, difficulty breathing, and a runny nose. Once you get rid of these old pillows, your sleeping conditions should be cleaner and the sick feeling should go away.
Replacing pillows frequently may seem like a hassle, but pillows that are past their prime can contribute to allergic reactions, skin breakouts, and sore muscles. An old pillow can accumulate allergens like dust mites, fungus, mold, and pet dander.
A: Whether made of natural fibers (such as down) or synthetic materials (often polyester), most pillows can be washed in the machine. They should be cleaned every three to six months to remove mold, bacteria and odors.
Differences Between Mold and Mildew
Mold tends to have a higher profile and can even become fuzzy, while mildew is usually flat. Mold exhibits darker colors such as deep green and black; mildew may begin as white, then turn brown or gray.
Mold generally looks slimy or fuzzy, tends to have a raised texture, and can come in a rainbow of colors, including deep green and black. Mildew is powdery, looks white or gray, always appears flat, and grows on surfaces.
Sometimes, you pillow is just too old and it's time to get a new one. The National Sleep Foundation says you should replace your pillow every two years.
Pillows and upholstery can carry bacteria, allergens and tiny insects such as dust mites, bed bugs and fleas. Here's how to minimize germs in your home's comfiest places.
What Happens If You Don't Wash Your Pillows? Over time, pillows accumulate substances like sweat, saliva, and other bodily fluids. These can create an unpleasant odor, as well as provide a breeding ground for bacteria, dust mites, and allergens. So it's safe to say that a dirty pillow comes as a threat to your health.
However, it is known to cause mould allergies, not good news if you happen to be sleeping with it right under your nose. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, only a few moulds cause allergic reactions. Aureobasidium pullulans, being a major culprit.
Most people describe the smell of mold as musty, stale, and earthy — somewhat similar the odor of wet socks or decaying wood. Although mold smells can vary, here are some of the most common characteristics: Musty and Stale — like old socks or a stuffy attic that hasn't been aired out in months.
More severe symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, and lung infection may occur from mold exposure in people with underlying health conditions or a weakened immune system. Children exposed to mold in the first year of life may have an increased risk. View Source of developing asthma.
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.
And speaking of that extra moisture, did you know that sleeping on wet hair can even lead to a moldy pillow? With wet hair at bedtime, there's a chance! Sleeping on wet hair will make your pillow and pillowcase wet, and with your head resting on top of the pillow, it can't easily dry.
Dry Pillows Under Heat
While you can, in theory, dry your pillows indoors, the best way to eliminate bacteria is under moderate heat. You can tumble-dry pillows under high heat (depending on what kind of pillows you use), but a safe and natural drying option is to place them directly under sunlight.
If it is not washable, you can try spraying it with a spray disinfectant. You can also sanitize the pillow by sprinkling it with borax. Leave the powder on the pillow for an hour, then gently vacuum it with a vacuum cleaner.
Another hazard to the skin when sleeping on dirty sheets is the risk of contracting fungal and bacterial infections. A study by Amerisleep revealed that sheets that have not been washed for one week have 24,631 more bacteria than bathroom doorknobs.
Dirt, dust, sweat, saliva, bacteria, and even mold or mildew can accumulate inside pillows over time, causing unpleasant odors and breaking down their support. It's important to know how to disinfect pillows and clean them every few months to ensure they stay fresh and germ-free.
How can I dispose of pillows and duvets in Australia? The best way to dispose of pillows and duvets is to take them to your local textile recycling centre. Here, the materials will be sorted and either reused or recycled into new products.
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.
This discoloration is a tell-tale sign of age. By the time your pillow has turned yellow, it's fairly old—bedding experts recommend purchasing a new pillow every 2.8 years. But if your pillow is younger and still has its shape, try cleaning it before tossing it.
Use undiluted white vinegar on hard surfaces in kitchens and baths. A bleach solution also works to kill mold. Mix one cup of bleach in a gallon of water, apply to the surface and don't rinse. Mix a 50/50 solution of ammonia and water.
Mildew is typically a light color, most often gray, but white and yellow are also possible. It will appear fuzzy, fluffy, or powdery. On the other hand, mold tends to be dark green or black. It can look fuzzy, but you may also see it appear slimy, like mildew.
Mildew has a milder, musty smell that some compare to damp socks, but mold smells stronger and more pungent. The reason mold has a more powerful odor is that as it grows, it produces microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs).