What Is A Pillow Protector? 🛏️ What You Need To Know

Most people think of sheets, pillowcases, and comforters when they think of bedding, but there are other pieces of bedding that you can get. A pillow protector is an important item to get because it can help your pillow last longer. Your pillow goes inside, and it zips closed, which gives you a barrier for allergens and more. 

A pillow protector is a protective case that zips shut and holds your pillow inside. People who suffer from allergies already use them because they provide a barrier to allergens, but there are other benefits. It protects the pillow from sweat, oil, and dead skin cells, making pillows turn yellow. 

You may want to know everything about pillow protectors so that you can decide whether you should add them to your bedding collection. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know.

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What Is a Pillow Protector?

A pillow protector resembles a pillowcase, but it doesn’t have an open side. Instead, it zips shut on the side. The pillow is completely protected from anything on the outside. You can still use a pillowcase over the pillow protector, and many people do. 

Since the entire pillow is enclosed in the pillow protector, it is shielded from allergens such as pet dander or dust. These particles can’t blow into the side of the pillowcase and land on the pillow. This type of pillow protection is often used by people who have allergies because it protects them from allergens. 

For people who don’t suffer from allergies, the pillow protector gives the pillow an extra layer of protection. A nice pillow is expensive today, and using this piece of bedding helps to extend the life of the pillows. 

First of all, the pillow will stay clean longer. In addition, the pillow protector adds a barrier that prevents your body’s natural oils, dead skin cells, sweat, and any other dirt from getting on or in the pillow. Not only does your pillow stay clean, but these are all the things that cause pillows to turn yellow, so they are protected from that as well. 

How Do Pillow Protectors Reduce Allergens?

When you go to sleep at night, you lay down on your pillow. You may not realize that something that everyone does every night could have an impact on your health. However, there could be dust mites inside. 

Dust mites and their droppings are common in houses, and they are most often found in mattresses, upholstery, curtains, and bedding. Mostly these are places where there are dead skin cells and moisture. Pillows are one of the most common places where they accumulate. 

When you sleep at night, the natural oils from your hair, along with dead skin cells, dirt, and other microscopic particles, accumulate on your pillow. Many people sweat or drool, which adds the moisture that dust mites thrive in. Dust mites can trigger asthma and allergies. You can have a runny nose, itchy eyes, difficulty breathing, and more. 

If you are already allergic to dust mites or have asthma, you may be using a pillow protector. If you simply suffer irritation, you can start using a pillow protector to get rid of it. Dust mites need a food source to live in your pillow, and you can prevent this by encasing your pillow in a pillow protector. 

What Are the Different Types of Pillow Protectors?

When you decide to get a pillow protector, you have different types to choose from. Take a look at the following:

Hypoallergenic Pillow Protectors

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This type of pillow protector is designed to prevent the pillow from absorbing any allergens. This includes dust, pollen, pet dander, dead skin cells, and more. All of these particles can cause congestion for people while they are sleeping. As a result, the quality of their sleep is reduced. This type of pillow protector can reduce allergies for anyone, especially people who suffer from allergies or asthma.

Waterproof Pillow Protectors

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Another type of pillow protector is waterproof. This type has a soft outside layer, but the inner layer is waterproof, so the pillow won’t absorb any liquid from sweat, saliva, spills, or other sources. This helps to prevent staining, and it keeps your pillow clean and odor-free. 

Temperature-Regulating Pillow Protectors

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Some pillow protectors are made for breathability, but they also block any allergens that can get trapped in the pillow. They are made of fabric with a weave so that they have excellent airflow. This is especially good for people who live in hot or warm environments because this type of pillow protector won’t trap heat inside. It is designed for temperature regulation to help you keep cool while you are sleeping. 

What Materials Are Pillow Protectors Made Of?

Pillow protectors are made of many different types of materials, including natural fabrics and vinyl. Natural fabrics are more breathable, and the way it is woven can make them sufficiently protective. Natural fabrics include cotton or silk, and some are actually certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly products. 

They are also made with synthetic materials, such as polyester blends or microfibers. Microfiber fabrics are woven very tightly, and they are known to have allergy-blocking benefits. They can also be made with other materials, such as terry. Some are made with vinyl, which is great if you are worried about spills. However, this material can cause you to sweat. 

Who Should Use a Pillow Protector?

The fact is that anyone will benefit from using a pillow protector. It keeps your pillow clean, keeps you healthier, and prevents anything from getting into your pillow. The best ones have a zipper up the side, and it completely seals the pillow from anything outside. That means that liquids, dust mites, fungi, and more won’t start living inside your pillow. 

When you realize what can get into your pillow and attract other microorganisms while you are sleeping, it makes you understand why you should get a pillow protector. Pillows don’t have a very long lifespan, and it is recommended to replace them every few years. However, if you use the pillow protector, you can extend that time.

Some people are attached to their pillows, and they don’t listen to this guidance. If you are one of them, then be sure to get a pillow protector. You can wash the pillow protector and keep your pillow as clean and free of particles as possible. 

What to Consider When You Choose a Pillow Protector

When you are looking for the best pillow protector for you, there are different factors to consider. This way, you can make sure that you get one that suits your needs. Take a look at the following:

Size

The first thing to consider is the size of your pillow protector. Pillows come in different sizes, including standard, queen, king, and a few others. Pillow protectors are made to fit snugly around the pillow, so you won’t use a king-sized pillow protector on a queen-sized pillow; you won’t be able to fit a king-sized pillow into a smaller pillow protector. 

Features

Pillow protectors are made using different techniques, so they have different features. You should consider thread counts for the fabric, pore sizes, membranes, and more. Remember that some pillow protectors are waterproof, while others are allergy-proof. You should consider the most important features so that you can find the perfect pillow protector. 

Comfort Level

Pillow protectors also have different levels of comfort. The type of material used to make the pillow protector will have a significant role in its comfort. They can be made with cotton, terry, polyester, vinyl, and more. You should consider which feels best on your skin. While you are sleeping, you will interact with the pillow more than you realize, and an uncomfortable pillow can severely reduce the quality of your sleep. 

Breathability

Next, you need to consider how breathable the pillow protector is. This will depend largely on what type of fabric the pillow protector is made out of. Some pillow protectors are made with fabrics that are tightly woven, and they are less breathable. However, those that have membranes are breathable and good for airflow. When you opt for a more breathable pillow protector, they will keep your pillow clean and free of odor longer than another. 

Material

Pillow protectors are made with different materials. They can be cotton, wool, terry, Tencel fabric, polyester, and more. This is an important consideration because the material dictates other features, such as the texture, thickness, washability, breathability, softness, and more of the pillow protector. 

Warranty and Sleep Trial

A lot of brands are starting to let customers take the pillow protector home on trial for a few nights. They can return it if they aren’t satisfied. This is a great option for people who aren’t sure whether they should get a pillow protector now. 

Once you are able to sleep on the pillow protector, you will know whether it is comfortable. The goal is to be able to sleep better, so go through the different considerations to make sure that you are satisfied with your pillow protector before you purchase it.

How to Take Care of Pillow Protectors

Once you have the pillow protector, you can place your pillow inside. You will keep your pillow clean with this outer layer. You should use a pillow protector under your pillowcase. You can still use your pillowcase, which gives you more flexibility when you choose the material for your pillow protector. 

It is a good idea to wash it regularly to get rid of any particles of dirt, dead skin cells, oils, and more. The cleaner you keep your pillow protector, the longer your pillow will last. 

Your pillow protector should last two to three years, and it is recommended that you wash it every six months. However, if you want it to last longer, you can wash it more frequently. When you wash it, you can usually throw it in the washing machine with cold water. You may want to hang it to dry so that it lasts longer. It is important to make sure that you let the pillow protector dry completely before you place it back on the pillow. 

If you use a pillow protector and wash it regularly, your pillow will last a lot longer. You will also sleep better and have reduced allergies. 

Do Pillow Protectors Prevent Pillows from Turning Yellow?

Most people know that pillows turn yellow over time. However, they don’t always know why. The primary reason this happens is from sweat throughout the night. Moisture seeps into the pillow, and this comes from sweat, saliva, and humidity. The problem is that all of these things work together to turn your pillow yellow. 

In addition, if you wash your hair before you go to bed and don’t dry it, this makes the situation worse. The moisture in your hair will wind up on the pillow protector. Everyone sweats a little bit overnight. Most people go to bed hydrated, and while you are sleeping, some of the liquid is processed so that you will need to go to the bathroom in the morning. 

At night, your sweat needs to go somewhere, so it finds its way onto your pillow. Not only can you use the pillow protector to prevent this, but you can also use a pillowcase. As long as you wash the bedding regularly, it won’t be able to penetrate into the pillows. 

Final Words

If you haven’t heard of a pillow protector, you may want to learn what one is. They are similar to pillowcases, but they enclose the pillow inside. They have a zipper to prevent any allergens from getting into your pillow. Your pillow will be cleaner, and it will last longer. Pillows are expensive today, so extending their lives is always a good thing. Some people like their pillows and avoid replacing them. You need to keep your pillow safe and clean so that you sleep well. 

Sources

• https://milkysheets.com/blogs/buying-guides/pillow-protectors-how-you-can-benefit-from-one
• https://www.downetc.com/stories/post/what-why-need-pillow-protector#:~:text=Pillow%20protectors%20help%20promote%20healthy,the%20spread%20of%20bed%20bugs.
• https://bargoosebedding.com/blogs/news/why-do-i-need-a-pillow-protector
• https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/3-kinda-gross-reasons-why-everyone-needs-pillow-covers-244106
• https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-pillow-protector/