There's nothing better than crawling into a nice warm bed after a long day, and a comfy bed aside, that feeling of nirvana often lies with the pillows we perch ourselves upon.

However, a skin expert is here to tell us that we may need a closer inspection of our pillows before we can enjoy a peaceful night's rest.

In a video online, board-certified dermatologist Dr Lindsey Zubritsky highlighted the problem with dirty pillows.

She made it known that those old pillows we snuggle up at night—maybe yellowed or darkened—may contain some unsavoury and potentially even dangerous contaminants.

Dr Zubritsky shared the health risks of sleeping on a yellow pillow. Credit @dermguru / TikTok

Dr Zubritsky said, 'If you're sleeping on a dirty, old, yellow-stained pillow like this, this could be hazardous to your health.'

‘It's actually an accumulation of dirt, grime, and moisture that can lead to problems with your skin and your respiratory system and sleep health,’ she said.

She explained further that moisture was the ‘number one’ cause of yellow stains, caused by sleeping with wet hair, drooling, oil from your skin, makeup, and dead skin cells.

‘If your pillow is yellow, that can put you at risk for clogged pores and cause breakouts and acne like this,’ she said.

‘If you have sensitive skin, it could cause flares of things like atopic dermatitis, eczema, and rosacea.’

But what else lies hidden behind the pillowcase?

Dr Zubritsky warned us that those pillowcases can also provide a breeding ground for dust mites.

‘These little mites love to eat up our dead skin,' she said.

'Your pillow is covered in them. It means you could be inhaling them, their urine or their faeces.’

If you inhale dust mites, it may ‘inflame’ or ‘irritate’ your airways, especially if you are asthmatic.

Dr Zubritsky concluded her video, 'If your pillow looks like this, I'm sorry, but you've gotta get rid of it.'

Watch her video below:

​

Commenters have mixed reactions to Dr Zubritsky’s video.

'I'LL NEVER PART WITH [IT],' one wrote.

Another said, 'It's yellow [because] I sleep on it [because] it's my fave.'

'I ain never givin' up my yellow pillow,' a third commented.

Others shared how they prevent their pillows from having yellow stains.

'I switch out my pillow case like twice a week!' the user wrote.

One commenter added, 'Pillows should be laundered every 4 months at least and have a protector.'

As if Dr Zubrinski’s warning wasn’t enough, there might be yet another nasty inhabitant old pillows may harbour.

According to Pediatric Allergist Dr Zachary Rubin, yellowing pillows could have mould!

‘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 mould,’ he said.

'Plus, as these pillows wear off over time, they don't give you the kind of neck support that you need.'

Good thing that a laundry expert suggested how often we should wash and how to wash our pillows.

She said washing them frequently can significantly decrease the risk of exposure to dust mites and other health hazards. Learn more about the cleaning technique here.

Key Takeaways

• Dermatologist Dr Lindsey Zubritsky has warned about the health risks of sleeping on old, yellow-stained pillows.
• She stated that these pillows can accumulate dirt, grime and moisture, causing problems for skin health and the respiratory system.
• Sleeping on these pillows can lead to clogged pores, acne, and flares of conditions such as eczema and rosacea and are a 'breeding ground' for dust mites, leading to potential respiratory irritation or inflammation.
• Some users reacted with resistance to the idea of discarding their well-loved yellow pillows, while others suggested preventing the yellowing by changing the pillow case twice a week or laundering the pillow every four months.

Members, do you wash your pillows frequently, or do you discard them and buy a new one instead? Share them with us in the comments below!

 

[mummygoth]

I update pillows & cushion inserts every couple of years & donate the old ones to the local animal refuge. If I have towels past their best then they're added to the pile. Always much appreciated.

 

[Jest]

There's nothing better than crawling into a nice warm bed after a long day, and a comfy bed aside, that feeling of nirvana often lies with the pillows we perch ourselves upon.

However, a skin expert is here to tell us that we may need a closer inspection of our pillows before we can enjoy a peaceful night's rest.

In a video online, board-certified dermatologist Dr Lindsey Zubritsky highlighted the problem with dirty pillows.

She made it known that those old pillows we snuggle up at night—maybe yellowed or darkened—may contain some unsavoury and potentially even dangerous contaminants.

View attachment 35865

Dr Zubritsky shared the health risks of sleeping on a yellow pillow. Credit @dermguru / TikTok

Dr Zubritsky said, 'If you're sleeping on a dirty, old, yellow-stained pillow like this, this could be hazardous to your health.'

‘It's actually an accumulation of dirt, grime, and moisture that can lead to problems with your skin and your respiratory system and sleep health,’ she said.

She explained further that moisture was the ‘number one’ cause of yellow stains, caused by sleeping with wet hair, drooling, oil from your skin, makeup, and dead skin cells.

‘If your pillow is yellow, that can put you at risk for clogged pores and cause breakouts and acne like this,’ she said.

‘If you have sensitive skin, it could cause flares of things like atopic dermatitis, eczema, and rosacea.’

But what else lies hidden behind the pillowcase?

Dr Zubritsky warned us that those pillowcases can also provide a breeding ground for dust mites.

‘These little mites love to eat up our dead skin,' she said.

'Your pillow is covered in them. It means you could be inhaling them, their urine or their faeces.’

If you inhale dust mites, it may ‘inflame’ or ‘irritate’ your airways, especially if you are asthmatic.

Dr Zubritsky concluded her video, 'If your pillow looks like this, I'm sorry, but you've gotta get rid of it.'

Watch her video below:

​

Commenters have mixed reactions to Dr Zubritsky’s video.

'I'LL NEVER PART WITH [IT],' one wrote.

Another said, 'It's yellow [because] I sleep on it [because] it's my fave.'

'I ain never givin' up my yellow pillow,' a third commented.

Others shared how they prevent their pillows from having yellow stains.

'I switch out my pillow case like twice a week!' the user wrote.

One commenter added, 'Pillows should be laundered every 4 months at least and have a protector.'

As if Dr Zubrinski’s warning wasn’t enough, there might be yet another nasty inhabitant old pillows may harbour.

According to Pediatric Allergist Dr Zachary Rubin, yellowing pillows could have mould!

‘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 mould,’ he said.

'Plus, as these pillows wear off over time, they don't give you the kind of neck support that you need.'

Good thing that a laundry expert suggested how often we should wash and how to wash our pillows.

She said washing them frequently can significantly decrease the risk of exposure to dust mites and other health hazards. Learn more about the cleaning technique here.

Key Takeaways

• Dermatologist Dr Lindsey Zubritsky has warned about the health risks of sleeping on old, yellow-stained pillows.
• She stated that these pillows can accumulate dirt, grime and moisture, causing problems for skin health and the respiratory system.
• Sleeping on these pillows can lead to clogged pores, acne, and flares of conditions such as eczema and rosacea and are a 'breeding ground' for dust mites, leading to potential respiratory irritation or inflammation.
• Some users reacted with resistance to the idea of discarding their well-loved yellow pillows, while others suggested preventing the yellowing by changing the pillow case twice a week or laundering the pillow every four months.

Members, do you wash your pillows frequently, or do you discard them and buy a new one instead? Share them with us in the comments below!

to those who disagree, keep sleeping on your stinking pillows.

 

[Barbara V]

Haven't we been told about pillow hygiene from the cradle

 

[Tygie]

There's nothing better than crawling into a nice warm bed after a long day, and a comfy bed aside, that feeling of nirvana often lies with the pillows we perch ourselves upon.

However, a skin expert is here to tell us that we may need a closer inspection of our pillows before we can enjoy a peaceful night's rest.

In a video online, board-certified dermatologist Dr Lindsey Zubritsky highlighted the problem with dirty pillows.

She made it known that those old pillows we snuggle up at night—maybe yellowed or darkened—may contain some unsavoury and potentially even dangerous contaminants.

View attachment 35865

Dr Zubritsky shared the health risks of sleeping on a yellow pillow. Credit @dermguru / TikTok

Dr Zubritsky said, 'If you're sleeping on a dirty, old, yellow-stained pillow like this, this could be hazardous to your health.'

‘It's actually an accumulation of dirt, grime, and moisture that can lead to problems with your skin and your respiratory system and sleep health,’ she said.

She explained further that moisture was the ‘number one’ cause of yellow stains, caused by sleeping with wet hair, drooling, oil from your skin, makeup, and dead skin cells.

‘If your pillow is yellow, that can put you at risk for clogged pores and cause breakouts and acne like this,’ she said.

‘If you have sensitive skin, it could cause flares of things like atopic dermatitis, eczema, and rosacea.’

But what else lies hidden behind the pillowcase?

Dr Zubritsky warned us that those pillowcases can also provide a breeding ground for dust mites.

‘These little mites love to eat up our dead skin,' she said.

'Your pillow is covered in them. It means you could be inhaling them, their urine or their faeces.’

If you inhale dust mites, it may ‘inflame’ or ‘irritate’ your airways, especially if you are asthmatic.

Dr Zubritsky concluded her video, 'If your pillow looks like this, I'm sorry, but you've gotta get rid of it.'

Watch her video below:

​

Commenters have mixed reactions to Dr Zubritsky’s video.

'I'LL NEVER PART WITH [IT],' one wrote.

Another said, 'It's yellow [because] I sleep on it [because] it's my fave.'

'I ain never givin' up my yellow pillow,' a third commented.

Others shared how they prevent their pillows from having yellow stains.

'I switch out my pillow case like twice a week!' the user wrote.

One commenter added, 'Pillows should be laundered every 4 months at least and have a protector.'

As if Dr Zubrinski’s warning wasn’t enough, there might be yet another nasty inhabitant old pillows may harbour.

According to Pediatric Allergist Dr Zachary Rubin, yellowing pillows could have mould!

‘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 mould,’ he said.

'Plus, as these pillows wear off over time, they don't give you the kind of neck support that you need.'

Good thing that a laundry expert suggested how often we should wash and how to wash our pillows.

She said washing them frequently can significantly decrease the risk of exposure to dust mites and other health hazards. Learn more about the cleaning technique here.

Key Takeaways

• Dermatologist Dr Lindsey Zubritsky has warned about the health risks of sleeping on old, yellow-stained pillows.
• She stated that these pillows can accumulate dirt, grime and moisture, causing problems for skin health and the respiratory system.
• Sleeping on these pillows can lead to clogged pores, acne, and flares of conditions such as eczema and rosacea and are a 'breeding ground' for dust mites, leading to potential respiratory irritation or inflammation.
• Some users reacted with resistance to the idea of discarding their well-loved yellow pillows, while others suggested preventing the yellowing by changing the pillow case twice a week or laundering the pillow every four months.

Members, do you wash your pillows frequently, or do you discard them and buy a new one instead? Share them with us in the comments below!

Lost my Dad in 2009 and i still have 'HIS' old, flat, squashed to half longways (cause he used to ball it up and sleep on his tummy), yellow pillow that could have been an old one of mine or another family members (he hated new ones as they were never comfy for him and we all used to use pillow protectors which he'd strip off). It still smells of his Avon Black Suede After shave - after all these years and lives in a pillow case. I wash the pillow case but NEVER the pillow as the smell would go. The cat loves to lie on it, it was HIS cat, that was a kitten when he passed and she purrs and rubs all over the pillow case and sleeps with her head on it sometimes when i let her! She also loves to sleep on what was his favorite chair too! I guess she can still smell him on both since these two things make the moody girl happy and cat's have a much wider sense of smell ability to us mere humans. I grab the pillow every now and then and give it a hug when i feel i need a hug from Dad. I can't part with it, even though it is past it's prime. I won't use it to lie on as my heavy head would only flatten it further since it flattens the half flat already pillows the shops have these days in a few weeks to a couple of months max from which nothing makes them recover.
So NO, I won't be getting rid of it!! I handle the thing daily often for one reason or another and rub my face or scratch an itch and NOTHING has ever happened!
Screw some silly dermatologist/skin expert - they use scare tactics to hide general advice. if your happy with your pillow and don't want to lose it then don't bother getting rid of it.

 

[Gsr]

I use and love my old pillows all the time. a nice clean pillowslip helps keep the nasties at bay. When I do replace them they go to the garage or garden as kneeling pillows for so many jobs. They give many years of service before going in the bin.

 

[Royal Watcher]

There's nothing better than crawling into a nice warm bed after a long day, and a comfy bed aside, that feeling of nirvana often lies with the pillows we perch ourselves upon.

However, a skin expert is here to tell us that we may need a closer inspection of our pillows before we can enjoy a peaceful night's rest.

In a video online, board-certified dermatologist Dr Lindsey Zubritsky highlighted the problem with dirty pillows.

She made it known that those old pillows we snuggle up at night—maybe yellowed or darkened—may contain some unsavoury and potentially even dangerous contaminants.

View attachment 35865

Dr Zubritsky shared the health risks of sleeping on a yellow pillow. Credit @dermguru / TikTok

Dr Zubritsky said, 'If you're sleeping on a dirty, old, yellow-stained pillow like this, this could be hazardous to your health.'

‘It's actually an accumulation of dirt, grime, and moisture that can lead to problems with your skin and your respiratory system and sleep health,’ she said.

She explained further that moisture was the ‘number one’ cause of yellow stains, caused by sleeping with wet hair, drooling, oil from your skin, makeup, and dead skin cells.

‘If your pillow is yellow, that can put you at risk for clogged pores and cause breakouts and acne like this,’ she said.

‘If you have sensitive skin, it could cause flares of things like atopic dermatitis, eczema, and rosacea.’

But what else lies hidden behind the pillowcase?

Dr Zubritsky warned us that those pillowcases can also provide a breeding ground for dust mites.

‘These little mites love to eat up our dead skin,' she said.

'Your pillow is covered in them. It means you could be inhaling them, their urine or their faeces.’

If you inhale dust mites, it may ‘inflame’ or ‘irritate’ your airways, especially if you are asthmatic.

Dr Zubritsky concluded her video, 'If your pillow looks like this, I'm sorry, but you've gotta get rid of it.'

Watch her video below:

​

Commenters have mixed reactions to Dr Zubritsky’s video.

'I'LL NEVER PART WITH [IT],' one wrote.

Another said, 'It's yellow [because] I sleep on it [because] it's my fave.'

'I ain never givin' up my yellow pillow,' a third commented.

Others shared how they prevent their pillows from having yellow stains.

'I switch out my pillow case like twice a week!' the user wrote.

One commenter added, 'Pillows should be laundered every 4 months at least and have a protector.'

As if Dr Zubrinski’s warning wasn’t enough, there might be yet another nasty inhabitant old pillows may harbour.

According to Pediatric Allergist Dr Zachary Rubin, yellowing pillows could have mould!

‘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 mould,’ he said.

'Plus, as these pillows wear off over time, they don't give you the kind of neck support that you need.'

Good thing that a laundry expert suggested how often we should wash and how to wash our pillows.

She said washing them frequently can significantly decrease the risk of exposure to dust mites and other health hazards. Learn more about the cleaning technique here.

Key Takeaways

• Dermatologist Dr Lindsey Zubritsky has warned about the health risks of sleeping on old, yellow-stained pillows.
• She stated that these pillows can accumulate dirt, grime and moisture, causing problems for skin health and the respiratory system.
• Sleeping on these pillows can lead to clogged pores, acne, and flares of conditions such as eczema and rosacea and are a 'breeding ground' for dust mites, leading to potential respiratory irritation or inflammation.
• Some users reacted with resistance to the idea of discarding their well-loved yellow pillows, while others suggested preventing the yellowing by changing the pillow case twice a week or laundering the pillow every four months.

Members, do you wash your pillows frequently, or do you discard them and buy a new one instead? Share them with us in the comments below!

Working in Manchester retailers I’ve seen some revolting pillows - people have actually returned dunlopillow pillows complaining that they’ve started to lose pieces off them etc etc!
There is a simple solution - USE A GOOD PILLOW PROTECTOR!!
If you spend over $100 on your pillow then spend a bit xtra to protect it!
If you buy cheaper pillows then still use a protector but you should wash them on regular basis (unless they’re foam or feathers)! Sleeping on the floor w your face on it is prob cleaner than a yellow, unwashed pillow!!! Very unhealthy!!
Your pillow is as important as your mattress - you spend a great deal of your life on both, have some care!!

 

[POG]

There's nothing better than crawling into a nice warm bed after a long day, and a comfy bed aside, that feeling of nirvana often lies with the pillows we perch ourselves upon.

However, a skin expert is here to tell us that we may need a closer inspection of our pillows before we can enjoy a peaceful night's rest.

In a video online, board-certified dermatologist Dr Lindsey Zubritsky highlighted the problem with dirty pillows.

She made it known that those old pillows we snuggle up at night—maybe yellowed or darkened—may contain some unsavoury and potentially even dangerous contaminants.

View attachment 35865

Dr Zubritsky shared the health risks of sleeping on a yellow pillow. Credit @dermguru / TikTok

Dr Zubritsky said, 'If you're sleeping on a dirty, old, yellow-stained pillow like this, this could be hazardous to your health.'

‘It's actually an accumulation of dirt, grime, and moisture that can lead to problems with your skin and your respiratory system and sleep health,’ she said.

She explained further that moisture was the ‘number one’ cause of yellow stains, caused by sleeping with wet hair, drooling, oil from your skin, makeup, and dead skin cells.

‘If your pillow is yellow, that can put you at risk for clogged pores and cause breakouts and acne like this,’ she said.

‘If you have sensitive skin, it could cause flares of things like atopic dermatitis, eczema, and rosacea.’

But what else lies hidden behind the pillowcase?

Dr Zubritsky warned us that those pillowcases can also provide a breeding ground for dust mites.

‘These little mites love to eat up our dead skin,' she said.

'Your pillow is covered in them. It means you could be inhaling them, their urine or their faeces.’

If you inhale dust mites, it may ‘inflame’ or ‘irritate’ your airways, especially if you are asthmatic.

Dr Zubritsky concluded her video, 'If your pillow looks like this, I'm sorry, but you've gotta get rid of it.'

Watch her video below:

​

Commenters have mixed reactions to Dr Zubritsky’s video.

'I'LL NEVER PART WITH [IT],' one wrote.

Another said, 'It's yellow [because] I sleep on it [because] it's my fave.'

'I ain never givin' up my yellow pillow,' a third commented.

Others shared how they prevent their pillows from having yellow stains.

'I switch out my pillow case like twice a week!' the user wrote.

One commenter added, 'Pillows should be laundered every 4 months at least and have a protector.'

As if Dr Zubrinski’s warning wasn’t enough, there might be yet another nasty inhabitant old pillows may harbour.

According to Pediatric Allergist Dr Zachary Rubin, yellowing pillows could have mould!

‘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 mould,’ he said.

'Plus, as these pillows wear off over time, they don't give you the kind of neck support that you need.'

Good thing that a laundry expert suggested how often we should wash and how to wash our pillows.

She said washing them frequently can significantly decrease the risk of exposure to dust mites and other health hazards. Learn more about the cleaning technique here.

Key Takeaways

• Dermatologist Dr Lindsey Zubritsky has warned about the health risks of sleeping on old, yellow-stained pillows.
• She stated that these pillows can accumulate dirt, grime and moisture, causing problems for skin health and the respiratory system.
• Sleeping on these pillows can lead to clogged pores, acne, and flares of conditions such as eczema and rosacea and are a 'breeding ground' for dust mites, leading to potential respiratory irritation or inflammation.
• Some users reacted with resistance to the idea of discarding their well-loved yellow pillows, while others suggested preventing the yellowing by changing the pillow case twice a week or laundering the pillow every four months.

Members, do you wash your pillows frequently, or do you discard them and buy a new one instead? Share them with us in the comments below!

You don't discard them if they turn yellow, for Christ's sake, just wash them. I wash mine in summer and dry them under the strong sun. The strong UV sun sterilizes them. It's not a matter of saving money, it's not creating extra landfill waste. Stop polluting this planet unnecessarily. I put 2 pillows in the washing machine for balance during the rinse/spin cycle.,.....easy. The above doctor must have invested money in a pillow company.

 

[marni]

Just use a good steam cleaner on your pillow - or wash with disinfectant/deoderiser. Stop filling up waste management places with things that are reusable - if cleaned properly, as it only fills the coffers of retailers