The average person will spend 8-10 hours in bed asleep. But when you think about resting your head – just how clean is that pillow you lie on?
According to a nationwide study conducted by Silentnight, 41% of the nation is sleeping on unwashed pillows every night – leading to breakouts, allergy flareups and respiratory irritation. But a simple wash could avoid this.
That’s why Mary Futher, who is known to her fans as Madame Sweat, has shared her advice for how often you should clean yours. In the video, which has gained more then 7,000 likes, she questioned: “Why aren’t you washing these?
“Why aren’t you putting them in the washing machine? Well, that’s why I’m here. I’m the hygiene queen. And I’m here to tell you when and how you should be.”
She explained that your pillows harbour sweat, dust mites and bacteria so washing them is “almost as important as washing your clothes”. Mary continued: “I know some people are going to say I have those antimicrobial pillow protectors on, which is fine.
“But if you don’t have them on, you should be washing your pillow every three months. Not all pillows are the same. The way you wash them depends on what they’re made of.”
Instagram viewers were left stunned by the video – with some users confessing to never washing their pillows at all. One user said: “OMG! Guilty as charged. I never washed them. Thank you,” while another commented: “Yikes! I’m feeling personally attacked.”
Someone else added: “I love putting mine out in the sun after washing! The rays kill bacteria and I swear if there is a stain it’s like the sun zaps it away.” Meanwhile, a fourth argued: “They’re gonna get all clumpy though.”
High-quality pillows may cost more, but they usually resist dust better and last longer, Healthline explains. Pillows made from latex, buckwheat, or memory foam may only need to be replaced every three to four years.
In contrast, synthetic pillows are cheaper and easier to clean but don’t last as long. Polyester pillows, for example, may need to be replaced every six months to two years.
