Alison Burke
While most of us throw pillowcases in the laundry every week as part of our household chores, we don't replace the pillows we sleep on every night. In fact, some pillows are used repeatedly for years without being replaced or even aired out. Unpleasant as the thought may be, changing your pillow case daily will still not eradicate the allergens probably lurking within the pillow stuffing.
What kind of microscopic creatures might be sharing our beds with us? Dust mites, bacteria, fungus, and mold number among the unwanted guests in our bedding. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences states that 45 percent of U.S. bedrooms harbor dust mite concentrations that exceed allergic sensitivity levels.
Do we need to be alarmed about the possible presence of millions of microscopic bugs and bacteria within our homes? Not necessarily, but it may be a good idea to take some precautions to keep your home as clean and aired-out as possible, particularly if anyone living there suffers from chronic allergies and respiratory problems.
To combat this problem, allergists and other health experts recommend that pillows be replaced frequently to prevent a buildup of dust and bacteria and subsequent chronic allergies. Beth Mack, Senior VP of Pillows at Hollander Home Fashions, recommends changing your pillow every one to two years to ensure maximum comfort and minimal buildup of allergens. Allergen-barrier bedding protectors are another option and can protect the sleeper from irritants in both the mattress and pillow. Other recommendations are to wash all bedding weekly in hot water, 130-160 degrees, and steam-clean the bedroom carpet and curtains frequently.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology published a study in January 2003 that addresses the effect of mattress and pillow casings on children with asthma and dust mite allergies. House dust mite allergy is a frequent cause of allergic asthma in children. The study tested 60 children in Denmark, and concludes that children with allergy asthma could significantly reduce asthma symptoms and the need for medication after changing to bedding encased in allergy-proof materials.
Thus in addition to replacing pillows every six months to two years, many doctors also recommend allergen-resistant pillow and mattress coverings. Thomas J. Fischer, MD, professor of Clinical Pediatrics at University of Cincinnati, suggests encasing pillows with zippered plastic or vapor permeable fabrics. Hypoallergenic pillows made from polyester fibers are also a good option. Polyurethane-covered mattress and bedding encasings are impermeable to allergens but absorb perspiration, allowing the body to "breathe." Even allergy sufferers can use down pillows as long as the down is classified as hypoallergenic, which means the down was extensively cleaned with specialized soaps.
Where you live and the airtight quality of your home bears on the potential level of dust mites and other allergens in your bedding. The more well-sealed the home, the greater potential that allergens will be trapped inside. On the other hand, dusty climates and poorly sealed homes allow more dust to blow inside. Those living in particularly dusty or humid and moldy regions will want to replace their pillows more frequently than every one to two years.
The general consensus among experts is to replace pillows every one to two years, and more frequently for allergy and asthma sufferers. Regular laundering of bedding in hot water will combat additional buildup of dust mites in the meantime.
Alison Burke is a freelance writer based in Lemoore, CA. She writes regularly for national magazines and newspapers, including "The Christian Science Monitor", "The World & I", and "The Philadelphia Inquirer."
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