Many people sweat excessively due to certain medical conditions, but in general, this is the body's way of regulating its temperature. However, over time, sweat and body oils soak into the pillow. And as the sweat dries, it can change the color of the pillow due to the presence of a substance called urea in the sweat.
Sleep Drooling
Drooling is one of the biggest reason for pillow discoloration. If you check the pillow carefully, you will be able to identify the dried stains of your drool. These stains look like brown spots, and if you drool excessively, you will find them everywhere.
The second most common are yellow bed bug stains that appear rust-colored. The cause of these stains is bed bug excrement or crushed eggs.
Notice dark brown rings on your pillows, or a musty, damp odor? Those are indications of mold and mildew growth!
If you consistently find blood on your pillow in the morning, it's important to seek medical attention. Potential causes of blood-stained pillows can range from nosebleeds or injuries to more serious issues such as bleeding gums or bedbugs.
Unexplained Blood Stains on Bedding
Blood stains resulting from a bed bug bite are often visible on lighter-colored sheets and pillow cases. The stains are typically dark or rusty spots of excrement. But these signs of an infestation won't always be found on bedding, because bed bugs are highly mobile and move fast.
This is because blood can expose you to MRSA, Hepatitis B and C, HIV, and other transmittable diseases. With so much at stake, it's crucial that you understand the dangers of cleaning up blood without training.
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.
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.
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. Read instructions on the tag to make sure the pillow is not dry-clean only.
Pillows turn yellow because of sweat. There are other reasons why a pillow may start to turn yellow including falling asleep with wet hair, lotions and oils on the skin, and moisture.
Bedding may turn yellow for a variety of reasons, such as body fluids, sweat, even the body lotion we use!
Sweat, drool, wet hair, and even skincare products can contribute to yellow stains on a pillow. And these stains are more than just unsightly. After a while, they can harbor bacteria and allergens, potentially affecting the quality of your sleep and your health.
Brown Stains on Bedding
The enzymes in saliva will also dry brown, and this is often the cause of brown stains on pillowcases. Saliva stains can look unpleasant, but the good news is that these stains are easy to remove as they do not contain as much oil as sweat.
fumigatus was found in synthetic than feather pillows. Conclusions: We have examined pillows for fungal contamination, and show that the typical used pillow contains a substantial load of many species of fungi, particularly A. fumigatus.
Vinegar safely and naturally kills mold spores and helps remove black mildew stains on pillows. Use plain vinegar for tough stains or dilute with half water before applying to mildew stains. Scrub gently with a damp sponge, adding enough baking soda to make a paste for difficult stains.
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.
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 harbour dust, skin cells and oils so they expire after one to two years," read text on the clip. The test itself is simple, all you need to do is fold the pillow in half lengthways and hold it there for 30 seconds. "Pillows should bounce back if fresh," she wrote.
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.
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.
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.
Myth: Dried blood is no longer infectious.
Even dried blood can be dangerous as some bloodborne viruses can live and remain infectious for hours or days outside the body. For example, the Hepatitis B virus can live in dried blood for up to a week, and Hepatitis C can survive for up to four days.
Other bodily fluids can also contain the virus, but blood contains the highest level of it. Just a small trace of blood can cause an infection. At room temperature, it's thought the virus may be able survive outside the body in patches of dried blood on surfaces for up to several weeks.
The Hepatitis B virus is very durable, and it can survive in dried blood for over seven days. For this reason, HBV is a major concern for employees such as custodians, laundry personnel and other employees who may come in contact with blood or potentially infectious materials.