Change a pillowcase once a week to avoid yellow discoloration and a hotbed of bacteria. Change a pillowcase more often, up to 2 or even 3 times a week if you suffer from acne, profuse sweating or if you let pets sleep 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. Up to even over 17,000 more bacteria than on a toilet seat, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Most of these bacteria are totally harmless, but the risk of harmful infections does increase. So avoid leaving a pillowcase around a pillow for long periods of time, 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 quality and frequency of washing and use.
Still continue to sleep on a yellow or yellowed pillowcase….
A yellowed pillowcase just doesn’t look attractive. 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, yellowing often indicates an old pillowcase, and then 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 due to more frequent washing |
| Better sleep | Print and colors fade |
What if you don’t replace your pillowcase?
Not replacing a pillowcase results in a buildup of bacteria. Bacteria can form that are harmful to our bodies. If you have sensitive skin, you run the risk of your skin suffering from blemishes (pimples, accumulations) more quickly. Dirt creeps into the pores when a pillowcase is not changed for weeks.
Why put 2 pillowcases around a pillow?
We regularly see stories about doubling pillowcases. This has a number of advantages:
- Less damage to the cushion and cushion padding
- No open side on either side
- Lower chance of yellow deposits on the pillow
The downside is that you have more laundry, especially with a large family and when you wash pillowcases twice a week. An alternative is to use a pillow protector. They are often thicker and have a specific treatment to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. Do you really want to be sure? Then choose a boil-proof pillow protector and wash it consistently at temperatures higher than 60°C.
How do bacteria get on a pillowcase?
Bacteria can be found everywhere and therefore also on your bed textiles. Without bacteria, we simply cannot live. What you want to avoid is concentrations that can harm our bodies. We don’t want bacteria that make us sick or trigger allergic reactions.
Dead skin cells, flakes, body fluids and oil are the main causes of the multitude of bacteria on your textiles.
Dead skin cells
Every hour we lose about 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells. They are left in your bed, and therefore on your pillowcase, without your noticing. The accumulation of these combined with body fluids such as sweat creates an ideal base for the rapid growth of bacteria.
Body fluids
Through our breathing, we breathe in up to 300 to 400 milliliters of moisture per 24 hours, often through our demolition. So count on about 100 to 130 milliliters during your sleep. Combined with sweat, mucus, saliva and tears, a lot of body fluids come into almost direct contact with a pillowcase.
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
No matter how sweet our pets are, on the bed there quickly develops a source of bacteria from our four-legged friends. Again, most of it is harmless to us. If your pet frequently comes into contact with the bed, it is wise to change your pillowcase at least twice a week.
How do you get into a routine of changing your pillowcase?
First, ask yourself who in your family suffers from acne or who sweats a lot while sleeping. Change their pillowcases more often, preferably twice a week. Are any pets climbing on the bed or sleeping in bed with you? Then change all pillowcases every few days.
Example: change pillowcases on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to prevent accumulation of bacteria, dander, sebum and oils. This improves bedroom hygiene, not to be confused with sleep hygiene.
How often to change pillowcases – Conclusion:
It’s best to change your pillowcase once a week. Change the pillowcase 2-3 times a week if you suffer from acne or excessive sweating. Also, if your pets come into the bedroom or you sleep with them, it is best to change them 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 than women at night per sweat gland. As a result, a man’s kisses turn yellow faster than a woman’s.
