Change a pillowcase once a week to avoid yellow discoloration and a hotbed of bacteria. Change a pillowcase more often, up to 2, even 3 times a week if you suffer from acne, sweat profusely or have pets sleeping on your bed. A clean, hygienically fresh pillowcase is essential for a better night’s sleep.
Why replace once a week?
After a week of sleeping on your pillowcase, the growth of bacteria on a pillowcase increases exponentially. Even more than 3 million more bacteria than on a toilet seat, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Most of these bacteria are totally harmless though, it’s just that the likelihood of them forming harmful ones increases. So leaving a pillowcase around a pillow for longer than a week is to be avoided, we think, especially if you don’t use an extra pillow protector.
How long do pillowcases last?
Pillowcases fade, wear out or get stained. Stains are often caused by the penetration of sweat, dust and dead skin cells. A pillowcase lasts an average of 2 to 4 years. Depending on the quality, washing and frequency of use.
Still continue to sleep on a yellow or yellowed pillowcase….
A yellowed pillowcase just doesn’t look appealing. Especially when you know that the stains are an indication of bacteria acting on moisture and dead skin cells. Not really a nice idea when you go to sleep.
Also, a yellowed pillowcase often indicates an old pillowcase, so it’s better to replace it.
Pros and cons of changing a pillowcase often
| Advantages | Cons |
| Pillow is less likely to turn yellow | You spend a little more money on new |
| Less chance of harmful bacteria, more hygienic | Slightly higher energy consumption – more frequent washing |
| Better sleep | Print and colors fade |
What happens if you don’t replace your pillowcase?
Not replacing a pillowcase results in accumulation of bacteria. With the risk of forming, for our body, harmful bacteria. If you have sensitive skin, you run the risk of seeing uneven skin (pimples, accumulations) develop more quickly. Dirt creeps back into the pores when a pillowcase is not replaced for weeks.
Why put 2 pillowcases around a pillow?
We regularly see stories about doubling pillowcases. This has a number of advantages:
- Reduced damage to the pillow and pillow padding
- No open side on either side
- Lower chance of yellow deposits on the pillow
You do have to deal with more laundry in the laundry basket, especially with many people at home and when you wash a pillowcase 2x a week. Also know that pillow protectors exist. These are often thicker and feature an action to prevent the buildup of mold and bacteria. Want to be really sure? Then choose a boil-proof pillow protector and wash it consistently at temperatures higher than 60°C.
As a result, bacteria get on a pillowcase:
Bacteria are everywhere and so are your bed textiles. Without bacteria, we simply cannot live. What you want to avoid is concentrations that can harm our bodies. That make us sick or trigger allergic reactions.
Dead skin cells, flakes, body fluids and oil are the main contributors to the multitude of bacteria on your textiles.
Dead skin cells
Every hour we lose about 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells, these are left in your bed, and therefore your pillowcase, without your noticing. The accumulation of these combined with body fluids such as sweat create a base for the rapid growth of bacteria.
Body fluids
Through our breathing, we breathe in up to 300 – 400 milliliters of moisture per 24 hours, often through our demolition. So count on about 100 – 130 milliliters during your sleep. Combined with sweat, mucus, drool and tears, a lot of body moisture comes into contact with a pillowcase almost directly.
Skin Care
Many skin care products have a positive effect on the skin, but a negative effect on the durability of a pillowcase. The oil used to keep a skin care product somewhat liquid sometimes creates yellow stains on a pillowcase and pillow.
Pets
As sweet as our pets are, on the bed a source of bacteria from our four-legged friends quickly develops. Again, most of it is harmless to us. However, when a pet frequently comes into contact with the bed, it is wise to change the pillowcase at least 2x a week.
Routine to change pillowcases:
Find out who in the household suffers from acne or sweats a lot in his/her sleep. Of these, a pillowcase should be changed more often, preferably twice a week. Are there pets that climb on the bed or sleep with you? Then really change all pillowcases every few days.
Example: Change pillowcases on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to prevent accumulation of bacteria, dander, grease and oils. This improves bedroom hygiene, not to be confused with sleep hygiene.
How often to change pillowcases – Conclusion:
Changing a pillowcase should be done at least once a week. Change the pillowcase 2x to 3x a week if you suffer from acne or excessive sweating. Also, when your pets come into the bedroom or you sleep with them, changing is best done two to three times a week.
Frequently asked questions:
How often do you wash pillowcases?
Washing a pillowcase should ideally be done at least once a week.
If pets get on the pillow or you suffer from acne, wash a pillowcase at least 2x a week.
Why are men more likely to have a yellow pillowcase?
Men sweat more strongly than women during the night per sweat gland.
As a result, a man’s pillow turns yellow faster than a woman’s.
