Sleeping hygiene: monitoring cleanliness of pillows and bedding
Even though microbes are a natural and vital part of daily life, microbial growth in the wrong places can cause problems. The cleanliness of our pillows, bedding, and sleeping environment can impact our health. People spend several hours each day in bed, and while sleeping, sweat and skin particles inevitably transfer from our bodies to bedding and other sleep textiles.
What kind of pillow are you sleeping on?
Unikulma, a Finnish company specializing in sleep and individually tailored beds, has conducted research on pillow hygiene over several years. These studies reveal that the majority of Finnish people either don’t wash their pillows at all or wash them too infrequently. Unikulma has also performed microbial tests on pillows using e.g. Hygicult tests and detected several types of mold on the pillows1.
In a recently published article, a journalist from Yle tested the hygiene of two pillows together with Aidian. The test was done using Hygicult tests. Both pillows showed some bacterial growth, and mold was found on the pillow used by a person who went to bed with wet hair2.
Molds in bedding may cause health problems
Fungal contamination in bedding was also investigated in a UK study by Woodcock et al., which found several types of mold on test pillows. The most common one isolated was Aspergillus fumigatus, a well-known allergen3.
If someone shows allergy symptoms at home, it may raise questions about indoor air quality. Before taking further action, it could be useful to test for microbial contamination in the mattress or pillows. Although microbes are a natural part of our environment, the close contact of a pillow to our respiratory system each night should be considered. In addition to washing bed linens, regularly washing the pillow—ideally once every three months—and replacing it every two years is advisable1.
Hygicult tests for monitoring microbial hygiene on surfaces
Hygicult dipslides are intended for rapid monitoring of microbial hygiene on surfaces. They are available in versions for detecting common bacteria, yeasts, molds, and specific bacteria like Enterobacteriaceae or Escherichia coli. These tests are easy to use on-site or can serve as convenient transport media for cultured samples.
References
- Vanha tai likainen sänky voi olla terveysriski (Kaleva). Available at: https://sivustot.kaleva.fi/unikulma/2017/12/12/vanha-tai-likainen-sanky-voi-olla-terveysriski/ Accessed 29 October 2024
- Monen suomalaisen arkinen tapa saa tyynyn homehtumaan – et kai sinäkin nuku bakteeripesässä? (Yle). Available at: https://yle.fi/a/74-20104741 Accessed 29 October 2024
- Woodcock, AA & Steel, N & Moore, Caroline & Howard, Susan & Custovic, Adnan & Denning, David. (2006). Fungal contamination of bedding. Allergy. 61. 140-2.