I'd read some place that you should wash your pillows twice a year. Really? Do you? Ummm... I've never washed our pillows.
I also read somewhere that it's a good idea to air dry your pillows in the sun every so often to dry it out and kill mites feeding on your dead scalp cells or whatever. Luckily, living in Hawaii, I can do this all year long if I wanted to. I never have... until now. Does sunlight really kill mites? How do you know they don't love the sun and warmth?
I set my pillow out in the sun and turned them every hour or so for about 4 hours. It really did freshen it. I then did the same thing for Art and he said he thought it the pillows felt fresh too. I really think they were fluffier.
Then again... maybe it's all in our heads.
I also read somewhere that it's a good idea to air dry your pillows in the sun every so often to dry it out and kill mites feeding on your dead scalp cells or whatever. Luckily, living in Hawaii, I can do this all year long if I wanted to. I never have... until now. Does sunlight really kill mites? How do you know they don't love the sun and warmth?
I set my pillow out in the sun and turned them every hour or so for about 4 hours. It really did freshen it. I then did the same thing for Art and he said he thought it the pillows felt fresh too. I really think they were fluffier.
Then again... maybe it's all in our heads.
It makes sense to air them out, but I don't. And I use them for years! I will try it when we have a nice warm day. I do have a little travel pillow that I've washed. :-)
ReplyDeleteNah, I don't believe that the sun will kill mites. We always buy new pillows from Costco once a year.
ReplyDeletehi Kay, I put our pillows out side, in winter, it was minus 35 below zero here yesterday, that really freshens them up!
ReplyDeleteI tried to wash a pillow once. The fiberfill clumped up and I ended up throwing it away.
ReplyDeleteI think it's easier to buy new pillows but I don't...lol!
ReplyDeleteHello, Kay! I never washed our pillows but I did wash my little boy's small pillow and it got all deformed and clumpy. I will try to put our pillows outside to freshen it up once the snow stops.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm... never done that either ---but I'd love my pillow after being outside in the sunshine. I used to love to hang my sheets on the line --and then put them back on the bed. LOVED that smell.... I'll have to try that with our pillows --come summer!!!! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
i wash my pillows all the time. i use borox and it makes them white and nice and fresh.
ReplyDeleteI have washed pillows with success and I have also had the clumping problem. I guess I really loved that pillow because I opened a seam and fluffed the filling by hand. It is a whole lot easier to buy new pillows. I try not to think about the dust mites, but if they get discolored by body oil--OUT it goes.
ReplyDeleteWhen the allergy doc told me that it wasn't the dust mites but the dust mite poop humans are allergic to....the mite detritus begins to weigh a lot too, I began washing everything regularly. Heat kills dust mites. Into the dryer the pillows go regularly even when I don't wash them. Bedding too. I cough less, my nose doesn't run, and I feel a lot better all around.
ReplyDeleteI still air my pillows in the sun from time to time, like I was taught when I first moved to Israel. Our sun can kill *anything*!
ReplyDeleteIn the old days we didn't wash the pillows, though, because they were stuffed with feathers.
We are having a really nice day. Think I will give "airing" a try. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSunlight is magical, Kay. Was just thinking today of washing our pillows. . . . . nope, never have. Just replace them when they look like civil war bandages in a museum
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu - Side
ComfortSpiral
<3
I keep meaning to buy new pillows to replace our old ones. Some of them are washable but I've never washed them.
ReplyDeleteI wash our down pillows in the washer, they come out looking like a deflated tire, then into the dryer for several cycles. Then onto the line to dry in the sun. Takes awhile, but a fresh clean pillow is heavenly.
ReplyDeleteSunlight is great for cleaning/bleaching without stressing the item. If it is a natural fiber (cotton, linen) and has those age spots, I open the fabric on our grass and wet it in the sun. Repeat as it dries off in the sun, sometimes takes days, but the stains go away, like magic! Was taught that one by my favorite college professor, Orpha Herrick. Works really well on crocheted doilies, linens, not so well on thicker stuff like towels, but better than before. The worse thing that happens is when your dogs walk on them as they are laid out in the yard.
Thank you so much, Honolulu Aunty. It's fabulous meeting you. I just tried what you mentioned because I have a pillow case that has those awful brown stains. I did as you said and.... By golly! You're right! It's like magic! It cleaned it. I wish I'd know this years ago!!!
DeleteI've read you can put pillows in the freezer to kill dust mites. I put mine in the dryer periodically. I figure the heat will kill 'em just as dead. Either way, it's better to do something proactive to them than let nasty mites thrive in your pillows!
ReplyDeleteI just get a new one
ReplyDeleteI can't see washing pillows. How would you ever dry them.Now airing them out is the smart thing to do.
ReplyDeleteI think it's time to buy new pillows.
ReplyDeleteIt's all in your head. LOL
ReplyDeleteI just get new pillows.
I'd have to wait til Spring I also tend to get new pillows
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed with asthma caused by a severe allergy to dust mites when I was a kid. It is the dust mite poo that causes respiratory problems. I ended the problem by buying a special pillow & mattress protectors endorsed by the Allergy & Immunology Foundation. These pillow & mattress protectors are woven to prevent microscopic dust mites from being able to get into your pillow or mattress. I can easily throw the special covers in the wash each week when I change my linens rather than having to frequently wash & dry my actual pillows & mattress pad. In order to kill dust mites & remove their poo requires that you put the pillows through a cycle in a med. hot dryer because the wash cycle is not hot enough to sanitize your sheets/pillow cases. One of the booklets my doctor gave me said that the average mattress after 10 yrs. of normal use contains 13 pounds of dust mite poop. The reality is that we all drool, sneeze, cough, perspire, are ill and who knows what else on our pillows. After one year of use the average bed pillow contains far more bacteria than the average pair of underpants when worn for 24 hours. Would you be fine with wearing the same pair of underpants day after day for however many years you have used the same pillows? I would hope not. Pillows are not meant to be used forever. If you bend your pillow in half & it doesn't spring back into shape then it is no longer capable of providing any support for your head or neck which is the whole purpose of using a pillow. I don't understand why people are so reluctant to buy a new pillow for themselves every year. You can get 2 down alternative pillows at Costco for around $16. Isn't your health & a good night's sleep worth spending that each year? Some people take great pride in being able to say they have used the same pillow for 35 years like it is a badge of honor. Having a degree in microbiology I know it is just plain gross & unhealthy. Sunlight & fresh air will make your old pillows smell fresher for a day or two,make them look whiter, but that's about all it does. Treat yourself to new pillows every now & then. And don't even think about putting your useless old pillows on the bed in your guestroom either - unless you never want them to stay overnight again.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! 13 pounds of poo? Yikes! You've just motivated me to go out and get new pillows!
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