Pillow covers are one of the most common household items you’ll see, but have you ever given them much thought? Why do so many people use pillow covers? Are they truly necessary in the first place? If you’ve ever asked yourself any of these questions, you’ve come to the right place.
Pillow covers are common for a reason. They’re essential for keeping you and your bed clean while you sleep. This guide takes a closer look at thy pillow covers are necessary, the benefits of using them, and which pillow covers may be right for you. Keep reading to learn more.
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Pillow Covers Keep Pillows Clean
Perhaps the most obvious reason why pillow covers are necessary is that they help keep your pillows clean. Our skin and hair goes through a lot during the day, and even if you bathe before you go to bed, there are still ways your pillow can get dirty.
Dead skin cells can accumulate on pillows, oil from our skin, and dirt and oil from hair tend to build up on our pillows while we sleep. Pillows tend to be porous, and when they’re unprotected without pillow covers, the sweat, dirt, and oils can build up deep in our pillows. In turn, this can lead to bacteria, dust mites, and eventually damage the quality of our pillows.
Make Your Pillows Last Longer
Pillow covers also help your pillows last longer. By shielding your pillows from sweat, dirt, oil, and bacteria build up, they help your pillows stay in prime condition. These particles can not only break down the materials that make up your pillows, but also attract things like bugs, bacteria, dust mites, and even bed bugs.
Using pillow covers helps you keep your pillows clean, which helps them last longer and keeps them in the best condition for as long as possible. It also means you don’t have to wash them as often, keeping them fluffy, looking good, and feeling good as you sleep.
Help Improve Sleep Quality
Failing to get enough sleep can have serious implications on our physical and mental health. In the short term, sleep deprivation can lead to irritability, lack of concentration and focus, lack of energy throughout the day, and impacted cognitive functions. In the long term, sleep deprivation can lead to memory impairment, illness or disease, and have negative consequences on the brain and heart. Getting enough sleep is also vital for mental health and wellness.
Without pillow covers, pillows are likely to collect bacteria and dust mites, which can contribute to allergies and poor sleep quality. Nobody likes feeling oily or dirty while they sleep either, so using pillow covers to keep your pillows clean and free of dust mites and bugs can help improve your sleep quality and make you more comfortable while you fall asleep.
Help Your Skin
Pillow covers can also help keep your skin clean and acne free. If you don’t use pillow covers, your pillows are likely to trap all sorts of unwanted particles. Our skin tends to be sensitive to dirt, bacteria, oil, and grime, so this sort of build up can lead to skin irritation, discomfort, and reaction, over time.
If unaddressed, skin can even collect these particles in pores, clogging them and leading to acne and breakouts. Using a pillow cover prevents this build up in the first place, so you won’t have to worry about what’s on your skin.
Which Pillow Cover to Choose
The benefits of pillow covers are many, but how can you choose which pillow covers are best for you? Here are a few qualities to look for and how to find the best pillow covers for you.
Waterproof
One of the most important qualities to look for is whether or not it’s waterproof. This will help it repel sweat, oil, saliva, and moisture from the air more effectively, protecting the pillow inside from things like mildew and bacteria.
Zippered Pillowcase
It’s no secret that pillowcases can be difficult to remove. A zippered pillowcase is easy to remove and put back on so you can wash it however often you’d like.
Machine Washable
If you weren’t able to wash your pillow covers, they would end up with all kinds of build up on them over time. It’s important to find pillow covers that are machine washable so you can keep them clean and get a clean, quality night’s sleep.
Protect Your Pillows, Protect Your Sleep
Taking care of your pillows is easy with the right pillow covers, and it also helps you take care of your sleep. Plus, you can bring your pillow covers with you to help you stay comfortable all night long, no matter where you’re spending the night.