Changing your pillow cases is not all about aesthetics and design but is also about health and hygiene. Just like your clothes, pillow cases also need to be changed and washed from time to time. This is essential to prevent occurrences of acne, breakouts, allergies, and illnesses.
Washing your pillow cases depends on the climate where you live in. However, it is recommended to wash them every 1 to 2 weeks. This may of course vary depending on how you use them.
Unwashed beddings and pillow cases are a major source of dirt, oils, bacteria, and parasites like dust mites. Studies suggest that every day, we are shedding around 500 million skin cells. Dust mites love to feed on dead skin cells, which is why you should never leave your pillow cases dirty for a long time.
The most common type of dust mites are the ones that cause dermatological and respiratory allergies like asthma and eczema. Thus, allergic reactions when taken for granted can result to breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, itchy nose, itchy eyes, itchy skin, and even skin rashes.
What is more, bed bugs and dust mites can feast on your skin and suck on your blood in a worst case scenario.
Things to Consider When Washing Your Pillow Cases
People are different when it comes to hygiene and cleanliness. Some wait for their stuff to get obviously dirty before cleaning them, and others obsessively clean them even though they are still fine.
Preferably, the correct schedule of washing your pillow cases is once every 7 days. This is the ideal way because of the skin’s oils, sweat, dirt, and saliva that we generate every night. However, as I always state, people are uniquely different and it particularly depends on your preference.
As much as we would like to keep our bed clean, there are important factors that you might consider if you have no idea when to wash your pillow cases.
- Dirt
Of course, this is the number one basis of cleaning. When you already see obvious traces of dirt from make-up, spills, or stains, you should already start washing them right away.
Nevertheless, other dirt may not be visible to the eye. If you are one of those people who love to eat in bed or play around with your pet, there’s a big chance that your pillow cases have their fair share of microscopic irritants. While your pillow cases may look clean, it is in fact the home of micro bugs.
- Hair
Whether you went outside or just stayed up all day in your bed, your hair is still full of oils and dust. Due to the environmental components present everywhere, microscopic elements that land on your hair cannot be controlled.
Some elements do not only come from dust particles but are also caused by soap or conditioner residues, oils, gels, and creams. Although these are great and fragrant to the hair, a long while before washing them may lead to more accumulation.
- Climate
Usually, hot places and atmosphere are more likely to cause sweating. If you live in a hot setting, you should wash your sheets and pillow cases more often than normal.
- Skin Condition
Those with normal skin conditions can be more tolerable to heat and dirt. Regular washing and changing of pillow cases is a must for them. However, for others that have sensitive skin, they must change their pillow cases more often. People with sensitive skin are more prone to acne, breakouts, rashes, and skin irritations and to help alleviate these, washing your pillow cases every so often is a must.