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You change your bedsheets every two weeks. But, when it comes to pillowcases, some people don’t think about. The only part of your body that comes into contact with them is your head, so how dirty can they actually get? You might be surprised at the amount of germs and dirt that can accumulate on your pillowcases if you don’t change them regularly. So how often should you change pillowcases anyway? We have the scoop.
How Often Should You Change Pillowcases
If you want a simple answer, you should change your pillowcase every two weeks. A good rule of thumb to follow is that every time you change your bedsheets, you should also change your pillowcases.
However, there are other factors that decide how often you should wash or change your pillowcases. It can depend on what kind of hair and skin type you have, the material of your pillow and what kind of products you use on your hair and face.
Based on these factors, you might have to change your pillowcases more often. If most of these factors apply to you, you should consider changing your pillowcases more than once a week.
Skin Type
Do you have oily skin? If you’re used to sleeping on your side, the oil from your face will definitely seep into your pillowcases. This will cause residues to build up on them, which means you might have to clean and change your pillowcases more often.
Another aspect of skin type is how prone you are to acne. Do you often get those annoying little breakouts on your face? Nobody wants their face to look less than perfect, and your dirty pillow case might not be helping your situation. You might notice a significant reduction in breakouts if you change your pillowcase more often.
Allergies
Ever had one of those days when you wake up in the morning with a runny nose, itchy eyes, and a sore throat even when the weather seems perfect outside? It’s not always pollen or dust in the air. It might just as easily be your pillowcase making your life more difficult.
Dust mites have a tendency to stick to your pillowcase. You also shed dead skin cells on a daily basis, which can accumulate in the form of dust in your room and on your pillowcase. If you’re prone to allergies, make sure you change your pillowcases more often to help you breathe easier.
Pets
If you have a pet, they might be shedding hair and dust all over your bed. If your pet sleeps in bed with you, it’s better to change your pillow cases and bedsheets more often. This will provide a healthier experience for both you and your best friend.
Products
If you wear makeup and sometimes forget to take it off before bed, or just can’t be bothered after a long day, you might end up giving yourself more skin problems if you do not clean your pillowcases often. Makeup not only causes clogged pores if left on for long periods of time, but it can make your pillowcase dirty and susceptible to germs.
Keep in mind that it’s not just makeup either. Everything you put on your face, including lotions, creams, and moisturizers can rub off onto your pillowcase. This, again, can cause clogged pores and even more serious skin problems.
Similar to skin products, hair products also have the tendency to get into your pillowcase. This includes gel, pomade, mousse, and leave-in conditioners. If you want that sheen and volume in your hair, you might want to change your pillowcases more often.
Pillow Case Material
Your pillowcases should be made of natural fibers, such as cotton, in order for them to be breathable. However, if you use pillowcases made out of synthetic fibers, you will definitely experience more clogged pores. This is a sign that you need to change them every week.
Eating in Bed
No matter how careful you are with your food, eating in bed will cause crumbs to build up. You can use a tablecloth and sweep your bed after you eat, but crumbs will still enter your threads. This food is a breeding ground for dust mites and tiny bacteria that can cause skin and hair issues.
If none of these apply to you, congratulations! You are truly one of a kind, and you can get by with washing and changing your pillowcases every 10 days without any consequences. Your hair, skin, and overall lifestyle allows you the privilege of not changing your pillowcases too often.
However, if most or all of these apply to you, you might have to either make serious changes to your lifestyle or change your pillowcases more often. People with oily skin and hair, pets, and synthetic fabrics should ideally change their pillowcases every other day in order to avoid the health effects of the buildups mentioned in this article.
Bottom Line
While it might not be very obvious why you need to clean or change your pillowcases so often, your lifestyle, skin, and hair type can have a significant impact on them. Keeping your pillowcases unwashed for long periods of time can cause hair fall, breakouts, and other skin issues that you’d be better off without.