Home → Blog → Resources → How to Get Bad Odors Out of Pillows – 12 Effective Solutions
Your bed is the place you rest and recuperate at the end of the day. It should be comfortable, cosy, and relaxing. But bedware often starts to smell all too quickly, turning that cosy pre-sleep snuggle into something a lot less pleasant. While odors can accumulate in any piece of bedware, whether it’s sheets or duvets, smelly pillows are most noticeable. And not just because your nose is pushed up against them a lot of the time. It’s also due to the fact that they’re in direct contact with our skin, hair, and breath for several hours every night, and easily accumulate sweat, oils, bacteria, and moisture.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent and remove odors in your pillows. The first step is understanding how pillow odors develop. Whether they’re caused by high humidity in the bedroom or heavy perspiration at night, identifying the root cause allows you to plan effective preventative action.
In this guide, we explore what causes pillow odors, the science behind how these smells form, and the potential health and comfort impacts of sleeping on a smelly pillow. We’ll also look at how to remove odor from pillows with washing techniques, natural deodorizers, and modern innovations, such as Polygiene StayFresh technology.
Smelly pillows are more common than many people realize. Since pillows are used nightly and often go longer between washes than other bedding items, they can quickly accumulate substances that contribute to unpleasant smells.
Some of the most common causes of smelly pillows include:
Sweat
During sleep, the body naturally releases moisture through perspiration. Even if you don’t wake up feeling sweaty, your pillow absorbs moisture from your skin and scalp. Over time, trapped moisture can lead to bacterial growth and musty odors.
Natural oils from the skin and hair
The scalp and skin produce a natural oil known as sebum. As you move during the night, this oil is transferred to the pillow fabric. Over time, it oxidizes, producing a stale or rancid smell.
Mouth moisture
It’s not uncommon for people to dribble and drool during the night, and much of the liquid will end up on your pillow. At the same time, our breath also contains moisture. Both will accumulate on textile fibers, soaking into the pillow and contributing to odor build-up.
Dead skin cells
Our bodies shed thousands of skin cells every day. When these accumulate in bedding, they provide bacteria with a ready source of nutrition, enabling the microorganisms to thrive, multiply, and produce smelly metabolic by-products.
Bacteria from the scalp
Hair naturally retains bacteria from the scalp and the surrounding environment. When transferred to pillowcases and pillows, these microbes can multiply, especially in dark, warm, and humid conditions. The folds in your pillow’s fabric provide the perfect environment.
Hair products
Hair products such as sprays, gels, oils, and conditioners can leave residue on pillowcases and pillows. Over time, these residues break down and produce odors.
Humidity and damp conditions
High humidity levels or sleeping with wet hair leave pillows damp. Moist environments promote bacterial growth and can result in mold or mildew developing and over time lead to smelly pillows.
Dust mites
Dust mites are microscopic insect-like pests that feed on dead skin cells and thrive in warm, humid environments. They also contribute to odor build-up as they release waste that’s often described as having a musty, pungent, or sour smell.
To understand why pillows develop unpleasant smells, it helps to look at the chemistry involved.
Smelly pillows are caused by bacteria breaking down organic materials such as sweat, oils, and skin cells. Most of these substances are odorless initially. However, when bacteria begin to metabolize the compounds in sweat and natural oils, they produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a by-product. These VOCs are responsible for the unpleasant smells. There are several VOCs that can be particularly odorous. These include:
Moisture is one of the main problems when it comes to bacteria and odors on pillows and bedding. Textiles tend to absorb oils and moisture, providing an ideal surface for bacteria to grow. As bacteria continue breaking down these substances, odors intensify. If pillows remain damp for an extended period, there’s also a chance that mold and mildew may develop, resulting in that distinctive musty smell.
To stop odors in pillows, we need to tackle the root cause. Moisture and bacteria. While we can manage moisture by ensuring we don’t go to bed with wet hair, we cannot eliminate it entirely. Consequently, the best solution is to tackle bacterial growth. This is why antibacterial odor control technologies, such as Polygiene StayFresh, are increasingly popular in pillow fabrics and an effective way to avoid smelly pillows.
An unpleasant smell isn’t the only downside of an unclean pillow. Over time, odor buildup can lead to several comfort and health-related issues.
Triggering allergies and asthma
If not washed regularly or treated with the appropriate technology, pillows can accumulate dust mites, bacteria, and mold spores. For those with respiratory sensitivities, these particles and microorganisms may aggravate allergies or asthma symptoms, resulting in uncomfortable sleep.
Skin irritation and acne
Pillowcases that contain oils, sweat, and bacteria can contribute to clogged pores and skin irritation. Dermatologists often recommend regularly washing pillowcases to reduce acne breakouts.
Reduced sleep comfort
Even mild odors can affect sleep quality. An unpleasant smell near your face may make it harder to relax and fall asleep. Knowing that bedding isn’t as clean as it could be can also impact comfort, turning your cosy bed into something far less pleasant.
Shorter pillow lifespan
Both oils and bacteria can degrade fiber integrity and compromise fabric integrity over time. This may cause pillows to lose their structure, support, and freshness more quickly.
Fortunately, there are several effective ways to eliminate that unpleasant down pillow smell. Some methods require nothing more than widely available household ingredients, while others involve specialized products. If one method doesn’t get results straight away, try combining it with another.
Wash pillows regularly
Machine washing pillows at a high temperature is the easiest and most immediate method of removing pillow odors. However, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions, as not all textiles can be hot-washed. Many synthetic and down pillows can be machine-washed using warm or hot water with a mild detergent. Higher temperatures kill bacteria more effectively, preventing odor formation and smelly pillows.
Use baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
Baking soda is an effective natural deodorizer. Sprinkling it over a pillow and leaving it for several hours will allow it to absorb moisture and odors and refresh the pillow. Vacuum the pillow afterward to remove the baking soda residue.
Try white vinegar
White vinegar is also extremely effective when it comes to neutralizing odor-causing bacteria on pillows. Add a small amount to the washing machine during the rinse cycle, and it should help to remove lingering smells.
Air out pillows in sunlight
Fresh air and sunlight naturally help eliminate pillow odors and reduce moisture. UV rays from the sun can also inhibit bacterial growth. Whenever possible, dry out your pillows and pillowcases in fresh air and sun.
Use enzyme-based detergents
Some laundry detergents contain enzymes that break down organic materials like sweat and oils, making them particularly effective at removing stubborn smells.
Apply fabric refreshers
Specialized textile sprays can neutralize odors, refresh pillows between washes, and ensure you get a comfortable night’s sleep.
While the tips above are ideal if you already have smells in your pillow, it’s also a good idea to take preventative action so they don’t return.
Below are several practical ways to keep pillows smelling fresh.
Use an antibacterial pillowcase
Pillowcases treated with Polygiene StayFresh are one of the most effective means of preventing bacterial odors in pillows. The technology prevents bacterial growth between washes, stopping associated smells in their tracks, and keeping your pillow fresher for longer.
Wash hair regularly, but avoid sleeping with wet hair
Since hair oils and styling products transfer easily to pillows, keeping your hair clean can reduce residue build-up on bedding considerably. That said, going to bed with damp hair can introduce significant moisture into pillow fabrics. Moisture encourages bacterial growth and can lead to musty odors or mildew. Allow hair to dry fully before sleeping whenever possible.
Rotate pillows
Using multiple pillows and rotating them regularly allows each pillow to air out more thoroughly. This helps reduce moisture accumulation and bacterial growth.
Use pillow protectors
Say goodbye to smelly pillows for good with a pillow protector. Waterproof or moisture-resistant protectors prevent sweat and oils from penetrating the pillow core. Protectors are a relatively simple and inexpensive way of protecting a good pillow and are highly recommended if you’ve invested in a more premium product.
Keep bedrooms well-ventilated
Air circulation helps prevent humidity build-up in bedding materials. Opening windows regularly or using a fan can help reduce moisture accumulation. Even “burping” your room – opening the windows for a few minutes every day – can really help with air circulation and humidity.
Replace old pillows
Even with proper care, pillows eventually accumulate debris and bacteria that become difficult to remove. Most sleep experts recommend replacing pillows every one to two years.
How often should I clean my pillow?
Most pillows need to be washed every three to six months. However, pillowcases usually need to be washed once per week to prevent oils and sweat from accumulating. If you’re unsure about best maintenance practices, contact your pillow manufacturer for guidance.
Can you machine wash memory foam pillows?
You can’t usually machine wash memory foam pillows, as the material can break down when submerged in water. Instead, try spot cleaning, vacuuming, and airing them out in sunlight. Many memory foam pillows also include removable, washable covers for easier maintenance.
What kills bacteria in pillows?
You can kill bacteria in pillows by:
How do I know when to replace a pillow?
You may need to replace your pillow if:
Can these tips be applied to other textiles?
Many of these tips can be applied to other fabrics and textile products. However, if you want specific guidance, check out our guides to removing bad odors from towels and getting odors out of mattresses.
Modern textile innovation is transforming the way we keep bedding fresh. Polygiene StayFresh technology is designed to prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria on fabrics, helping bedding stay fresh and smell-free between washes. Rather than masking smells, the technology tackles the root cause of unpleasant odors – bacteria. It does so by using skin-safe silver chloride to attack bacteria on three fronts:
By keeping textiles fresher for longer, Polygiene StayFresh reduces the need for frequent washing. In turn, this reduces energy, water, and detergent use, while extending the product’s expected lifespan by minimizing exposure to damaging machine washing.
Polygiene StayFresh in your pillows
If you’re interested in learning more about Polygiene StayFresh, you can head to our dedicated technology page. We also have more information on Polygiene’s inclusion in pillows, bedding, and other homeware products on our Home & Pets page.
If you’re a manufacturer looking to discuss the ways Polygiene StayFresh technology can benefit your brand, products, and customers, we recommend contacting our experienced team today.
