When was the last time you changed your pillowcase? Have you ever stopped to consider how dirty your pillowcase might be?

Think about it for a second. You run around all day long. There’s work, then school, then the kid’s football game. The dog needs to be walked, the grass mowed. You’re tired by the end of the day, so you collapse into bed with a body covered in dust, sweat, and oil. Then you toss and turn all night long and smear all that gunk into your pillow and sheets.

But that’s not all. Now you have to factor in any partners, pets, or kids that climb into bed with you. And whether you like it or not, there’s bound to be some drool going on. It’s the perfect storm for one dirty pillowcase!

It is so important to frequently change your pillowcase, but so many people forget. Laundry day comes and goes, and nobody thought to grab the pillowcases.

But not changing your pillowcase can actually be a health hazard!

Here are 3 reasons you need to change out your pillowcase and a few tips to keep them clean for longer.

1.  Bacteria and Fungus

All that junk you bring into bed with you is the perfect breeding ground for fungus and bacteria.

And you smoosh your face into that breeding ground and breathe it. All. Night. Long.

The fungus and bacteria growing on your pillowcase are doing more harm than you might think. First of all, they sneak into the pores of your skin and cause blackheads and acne.

And you know it isn’t good for you to be breathing that in for hours on end. Sleeping on a dirty pillowcase can actually compromise your immune system and cause you to get sick easier!

2.  Allergens

If you struggle with allergies, changing your pillowcase more frequently may help quite a bit! Dust and pollen blow around everywhere, and as soon as you step out your door, they begin collecting on your hair and clothes.

Then, when you climb into bed, they fall off and keep collecting on your pillow. Eventually you breathe them in, and, oh no, here comes the allergies and asthma.

The next time you notice your allergies flaring up, try changing out your pillowcase. It will help more than you think!

3.  Dust Mites and Bed Bugs

Dust mites and bedbugs love to creep into your bed. But are they really that bad? You can barely even see them. Well, they’re causing more problems than you know.

Dust mites are a major allergen, and can cause runny noses, watery eyes, and even eczema rashes to break out on your skin.

And bed bugs? Well, they’re little vampires. Not to be too graphic, but they bite the people they meet and feast on their blood all night long. Bed bug bites often become itchy and inflamed, and can even blister. Sometimes you may even see small streaks of blood from where you’ve squashed a bug or two in your sleep!

And, lucky for us, bed bugs and dust mites are attracted to the smell of humans. The dirtier your pillow is, the smellier it is.  So your risk of a bed bug or dust mite infestation goes through the roof.

Your bed becomes the ideal habitat for them to lay their eggs, and then they never want to leave!

How Often Should I Change My Pillowcase?

By now you realize just how important it is to change your pillowcase out. But how often should you do it?

It is generally recommended you change your pillowcase once or twice a week. This keeps too much gunk from building up and mitigates the growth of bacteria or fungus.

Wash your pillowcase on the hottest setting on your washing machine, and avoid using fabric softeners, as these can cause acne breakouts.

You also want to make sure you are washing your pillow at least twice a year to clean up any messes that make it through your pillowcase.

What Can I Do to Keep My Pillowcase Cleaner?

But I know what you’re thinking…changing a pillowcase that frequently sounds like a lot of extra laundry. And having to battle your pillow while you try to shove it back into a pillowcase? Not fun!

Luckily there are a few things you can do to keep your pillowcase cleaner for longer.

First, just practice good hygiene. Always shower before bed, or at least wash your face. This will get rid of a lot of the dust, oil, and dead skin cells before they hit your pillow. 

And second, try investing in a pillow sleeve, like these bamboo sleeves from Sleepfolio. They go over your pillowcase much like a fitted sheet goes over your mattress. This makes them much easier to remove and put back on than a regular pillowcase, which encourages you to wash them more. And because there is a second barrier, they can help extend the life of your pillow.

The pillow sleeves are made from 100% bamboo lyocell fabric, which stays cool to the touch, making them perfect for hot sleepers. And bamboo is naturally antimicrobial and hypoallergenic, so they stay fresher longer.

Their compact size means they are perfect to travel with. No more worrying about whether or not your friend washed their pillowcase after the last sleepover, or wondering if the detergent on the hotel pillowcases will cause your sensitive skin to break out. Just plop the sleeve over the pillowcase and get ready for a comfortable, healthy night’s rest!

Sleep Healthy

We all know we need to do the best we can to stay healthy and take good care of our bodies. And we’ve often been told the value of good sleep.

Now you can make sure that each night you are not only getting good sleep, but healthy sleep. You can rest easy knowing that you are doing everything you can to keep your loved ones happy and healthy as they rest!