What’s in your Pillow & Why You Need to Switch to a Non-Toxic Pillow
*this blog post may contain affiliate links to support more content just like this!
Today is International Pillow Fight Day! What a fun way to get active with the kids, or relieve some stress with a loved one/roommate. Buuuut, before you go tossing your pillows around, you might want to consider the last time you washed your pillow but also what your pillow is made of.
I know, what is she talking about washing my pillow, pretty sure she meant to say pillowcase. Nope! I meant it, when’s the last time you washed your p-i-l-l-o-w? If we’re in the same boat you may have answered along the lines of “uhm, never…”
Well, maybe it’s time to reevaluate your pillow situation. We spend (ideally) 8 hours a day with our heads on these puffy clouds inhaling and exhaling, snoring, and drooling. Do we even know what material our pillow is made from? And shouldn’t we consider a deep clean every once in a while? In short, YES.
Some culprits that might make you more inclined to wash your pillow: microscopic bugs, dead skin, mold, fungi, dust mites, and their droppings. Some culprits that might make you more inclined to invest in a non-toxic pillow: Phthalates, VOCs, and EDCs.
How Often You Should Wash Your Pillows
Since we have a protective cover aka pillowcases on our pillows we can certainly get away with washing our pillows less frequently than our regular bedding. It is recommended that every six months at the bare minimum to keep our sleep fresh and clean.
Optimally our pillows are washed every 3 months/4 times a year1. Pillowcases can be washed on a weekly basis with bedding or biweekly depending on your hygiene and whether you have pets that sleep on the bed with you.
How to Wash Your Pillows
Overall many types of pillows can be put in the washer on a gentle or delicate cycle and air dried or on the fluff cycle if you have it. Be sure to look at the tag on your pillow before you put all faith in this blog as you may end up ruining your pillow and have nothing to sleep on for the next couple of nights. Each pillow is made differently and some should not be machine washed.
Generally, cotton filled and feather/down pillows can be machine washed. Foam is another story as the fibers can break down in the machine and the pillow will lose its form. Foam pillows can be vacuumed with a handheld attachment to remove dirt and dust held inside the pillow. Sometimes these pillows also have a removable cover that can be washed according to the instructions.
How Often You Should Replace Your Pillows
Unfortunately, pillows don’t last forever. Due to the frequency of use it is important to know when to replace your pillows. It is often recommended to do so every 1-2 years.
However, there are ways to extend the lifespan of a pillow.
- Don’t go to bed with wet hair! Moisture will allow for mold and bacteria to grow and fester within your pillow.
- Pillow protectors are perfect for keeping your pillow free from unwanted bugs, dust, mold, and fungi. Be sure to look for a waterproof pillow protector as the moisture from drool and sweat is what allows mold growth in your pillow. You also want a pillow protector that has a zipper that keeps all tiny critters and dust out. That way you can wash your pillow protector along with regular bedding and don’t have to worry as much about washing your pillow every 3 months. After all, the more you wash something the faster it will deteriorate. Having an appropriate pillow protector can potentially double the lifespan of your pillow, it is certainly worth the investment.
- Wash your pillowcases and bedding on high temperature every once in a while to kill bacteria, dust mites, and other allergens
- Wash your pillow when you see fit, every pillow is different and depending on how you care for it determines how often you need to wash your pillow
Other Toxins That Live in Your Pillow
Have you ever considered that you might be getting into bed with the wrong pillow? Much like other unsuspecting household products such as your carpet and your yoga mat, your pillow very likely contains chemicals that you aren’t aware of.
Depending on the type of pillow you purchased you may be sleeping with these harmful chemicals every night. If you haven’t invested in a non-toxic pillow yet then this commonly happens through what is called “off-gassing” wherein chemicals escape your pillow and are inhaled (whether there is a smell or not). These are not the only things to look out for, here are a list of chemicals you should know about:
- Phthalates
- Volatile Organic Compounds aka VOCs
- Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals aka EDCs
To learn more about each one and the benefits and disadvantages of different materials we recommend you read this Guide to Choosing a Safe, Non-Toxic Pillow.
The Best Non-Toxic Pillows
The Fave: Sweet ZZZ Buckwheat Pillow
- The most natural and sustainable option we’ve found thus far
- A 100% organic GOTS certified cotton cover
- Non-GMO organic buckwheat hull filling
- Choose your fill amount based on the firmness you enjoy
- 1-year warranty
- 50-day trial
- Giving Back: 1% for the Planet
Saatva Latex Pillow
- An inner core made of 100% latex for support and comfort (bonus: latex is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and mildew)
- Filled with 100% organic cotton microdenier fiber (breathable and also hypoallergenic)
- A 100% organic cotton pillow cover (wicks away moisture)
- 45-day trial
PlushBeds Organic Shredded Latex Pillow
- GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standards) certified organic latex, meeting environmental and human health standards
- Provides bounce and molds to your needs
- Organic cotton cover to keep cool
- 3-year warranty
Essentia Organic Memory Foam Pillows
- Made from natural memory foam or latex foam blends in GOLS & GOTS certified organic factory
- Several different options you can choose from based on personal preference
- Travel pillow & body pillow options
- 1-year warranty
Looking for more options? Here is a great list of 15 Sustainable and Non–Toxic Pillow Brands to explore.
