Current:Home > FinanceLove your old yellow pillow? It's a health hazard, experts say.-InfoLens
Love your old yellow pillow? It's a health hazard, experts say.
View Date:2024-12-23 15:01:04
A lumpy yellow pillow with mysterious stains has become a staple in one too many homes, according to heated online conversations that attempt to make sense of the strange obsession.
“If you don’t have a crusty yellow pillow, you have never lived,” goes one TikTok comment. “There’s no pillow like old yellow,” another reads.
A recent tweet that called yellow pillows “magic” has received loads of likes, and even garnered the attention of NBC News, but people have been sharing videos about their beloved yet terribly stained mush of cotton for years.
As much comfort as you think your yellow pillow brings you, however, it’s time to say goodbye. All that discoloration, experts say, is an accumulation of grime that can pose problems for respiratory, skin and sleep health.
“These old yellow stinky pillows, while there is some type of emotional attachment to them, are exposing you to allergens and creating a breeding ground for mold,” said Dr. Zachary Rubin, a pediatric allergist in Illinois. “Plus, as these pillows wear off over time, they don't give you the kind of neck support that you need.”
Why your pillow is yellow
The accumulation of oil, dirt and sweat from your hair and skin over time leaves a grimy residue on your pillow that leads to discoloration, said Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, a dermatologist in Mississippi.
Your face also produces a sticky oily substance called sebum that keeps your skin moisturized. Sebum differs from sweat, but it collects on your pillow just the same.
Drool, makeup and other face products, and wet hair can also make your pillow yellow, Zubritsky said.
Why your yellow pillow could be a health hazard
Sleeping on your favorite yellow pillow for years on end can lead to acne breakouts and other types of skin irritation because the buildup of dirt can clog your pores, Zubritsky said. This is especially true for people with eczema, rosacea, existing acne or otherwise sensitive skin.
Perhaps more problematic for some people is exposure to allergens that like to call your yellow pillow home, namely dust mites, Rubin said.
Dust mites are microscopic bugs that like to eat tiny flakes of dead human skin. When you sleep on a dirty pillow, you are likely inhaling proteins from their poop, urine or decaying bodies, which can inflame and irritate your airways.
“Dust mites thrive in humidity, so you’re essentially sleeping with a major allergen,” Rubin said.
About 4 out of 5 homes in the U.S. have dust mite allergens in at least one bed, according to the American Lung Association. The critters are a major indoor trigger for people with asthma, and can live in upholstered furniture, carpets and curtains too.
Your immune system has a circadian rhythm, Rubin said, meaning certain conditions like allergies, eczema and asthma flare up on unique schedules according to the time of day, but mostly at night. If you have a dirty pillow, you’re likely aggravating those conditions even more when you’re trying to rest.
Poor sleep can lead to a host of health issues, such as chronic fatigue, stress, high blood pressure, depression and increased risks of infection.
Mold and pet dander are other irritants that can accumulate on your pillow, Rubin added.
How to keep up with pillow hygiene
The first step in keeping your pillows clean is to avoid sleeping on them without a pillowcase. Certain pillow cases are more gentle on skin and may discourage bacterial growth, she added, such as those made of bamboo and silk.
You can also buy a zippered covering that can be washed and goes in between your pillow and pillowcase for added protection, Rubin said.
How to properly clean and disinfect pillows:
- Remove pillowcases and sprinkle baking soda over your pillow to reduce odors.
- Vacuum the baking soda after at least 30 minutes.
- Spray your pillow with a fabric-safe sanitizer.
- Air pillows outside for a few hours every two weeks.
- Machine wash pillows in a delicate cycle every three months, preferably with detergents that are free of fragrances, perfumes or dyes.
- Air dry before replacing the pillowcase.
- Replace your pillows every one to two years.
These tips differ depending on the type of pillow you own, so read any labels before washing.
veryGood! (694)
Related
- Father, 5 children hurt in propane tank explosion while getting toys: 'Devastating accident'
- Suspended Orlando commissioner ordered to stay away from woman she’s accused of defrauding
- Florida Panhandle wildfire destroys 1 home and damages 15 others
- Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson run in and help Rey Mysterio grab WrestleMania 40 win
- Early Week 11 fantasy football rankings: 30 risers and fallers
- Caitlin Clark leads Iowa rally for 71-69 win over UConn in women’s Final Four. South Carolina awaits
- 3 migrants, including 2 from Cameroon, died in a truck accident in southern Mexico
- Is it safe to eat runny eggs amid the bird flu outbreak? Here's what the experts say.
- Ranked voting will decide a pivotal congressional race. How does that work?
- Messi ‘wanted to fight me’ and had ‘face of the devil,’ Monterrey coach says in audio leak
Ranking
- Trump's election has women swearing off sex with men. It's called the 4B movement.
- The Rock wins at WrestleMania 40 in first match since 2016: See what happened
- What Final Four games are today? Breaking down the NCAA Tournament semifinals of March Madness
- Where's accountability, transparency in women's officiating? Coaches want to know
- John Krasinski named People magazine’s 2024 Sexiest Man Alive
- Top Cryptocurrency Stocks on GalaxyCoin in March 2024
- Cooper DeJean will stand out as a white NFL cornerback. Labeling the Iowa star isn't easy.
- USWNT advances to SheBelieves Cup final after beating Japan in Columbus
Recommendation
-
Biden EPA to charge first-ever ‘methane fee’ for drilling waste by oil and gas companies
-
Baltimore bridge collapse: Body of third worker, Honduran father, found by divers
-
The total solar eclipse is Monday: Here's everything to know, including time, path, safety
-
A Nebraska bill to ban transgender students from the bathrooms and sports of their choice fails
-
Why have wildfires been erupting across the East Coast this fall?
-
Mexico severs diplomatic ties with Ecuador after police storm its embassy to arrest politician
-
How Whitty Books takes an unconventional approach to bookselling in Tulsa, Oklahoma
-
Student arrested at Georgia university after disrupting speech on Israel-Hamas war