Sweet Dreams? Not With That Old Pillow

Some Pillows Have Fungi, Mites, Mold -- 'Worse Than Your Bathroom,' Experts Say

(CBS)  Ellen Bass is fastidious about cleanliness because her children are among the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies. She cleans her house about five days a week, but never realized that bedroom pillows can be a hotbed for germs, even more so than the bathroom.

"I've seen people with pillows that were loaded with microorganisms," NYU microbiologist Dr. Philip Tierno told The Early Show consumer correspondent Susan Koeppen.

Tierno says as pillows absorb germs from our skin and the air, they become a breeding ground for mold, bacteria and dust mites.

"It's a literal zoo," he said.

And the older your pillows, the more likely they're contaminated. The Bass family hasn't replaced their pillows in eight years. Experts say you should replace your pillows every two years, but that can be costly. Instead, buy pillow protectors that usually cost between $10 and $20.

"It just makes me sick, it makes me feel dirty," Bass said.

Tierno tested the Bass family pillows and inside the children's' pillows he found fungal mold. Tierno says this is what they're inhaling every time their heads hit the pillow, which cold be playing a role in allergies.

On the parents' pillows he found lots of bacteria.

"I would say from this, all of them have dust mites," Tierno said.

When the Bass family heard the results, they were not pleased.

"I think it's disgusting that I actually slept on it," daughter Melanie said.

"I just feel nauseous," Ellen Bass said. "I've taken her to allergists and doctors for her allergies, and all this stuff in the meantime is growing in her pillow that she's sleeping on."

Covers are very effective at preventing contact with mold and bacteria, Tierno, said.

"What's out the pillow can't get into the pillow, what's in the pillow can't get out of the pillow in your face," he said.

Koeppen gave the Basses brand new pillows with protectors to help them breath easier.

"To see those Petri dishes, and my kids are breathing that in every day," Bass said, "it's really an eye-opener."

For more information:
www.fabrictech.com
www.allergycontrol.com
National Institutes of Health

I think it is irresponsible to publish this story with no mention of laundering the pillows. Someone wants to sell a lot of new pillows.

[michellem99-2009]

I have my pillows for back sleepers and they are 9 years old. I put a towel on mine. The new ones are not made that well and I aint paying high price as mine are just fine. wash your pillow case / and or towel if used.

[bequialife]

I highly recommend seeing an accupuncturist to rid allergies. I was on allergy shots for YEARS when I was a kid and they never worked. And I was allergic to everything. Accupuncture is covered under most medical plans. I love it; got rid of my asthma too.

[citizenusa-2009]

According to curent administration, those little critters in our pillows are probably mini Al Queda operatives! Therefore, we must "smoke em out"!

[nolalj]

Don't people wash their pillows? I wash mine all the time and they come out fresh, clean and fluffy. Seems silly to buy new pillows when you can just wash them.

[shelby7211]

I hear everyone say it's crazy to cover everything but I at least try to sanitize my home where I can. My allergies have decreased by 50% since I bought the pillowbarrier and Bedliner online. Dust mites do make people sick and it's only makes sense to protect yourself when you can. The only way to help yourself is to educate yourself. Just getting used to germs is not the answer.

[justmoi1-2009]

Don't people wash their pillows? I do...

[justsane-2009]

we are healthy--and not in the least bit worried about dust mites. (if only dust mites were the most serious thing we all had to worry about...)

seriously though, my point was that by trying to protect ourselves from all of these naturally occurring organisms, we are probably making ourselves more allergic, more vulnerable, and in the end, less healthy.

[jetlizhan]

i'm going to k-mart after work and get me some new martha stewart pillows!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cwarriorx]

I can accept microorganisms living in my carpet and my couch. I don't sleep with my face on the carpet or the couch (nights of heavy drinking aside). Most people spend 8 hours a night with their face buried in their pillows and mattresses breathing in dust mites and their feces. With more and more people suffering from allergies and asthma don't you think there is at least some truth behind these findings? Wouldn't you want to do everything you could to keep your family healthy?

[justsane-2009]

please...you're never going to get rid of all these little buggies--they live everywhere!! after our pillows and mattresses, shall we encase our bedding? how about chairs and couches? car seats? by trying to kill all the germs and bugs that co-exist with us, we are actually destroying the very things that keep us healthy.

we are part of this world--not in charge of it.

[cwarriorx]

I encased my pillows and starved the little critters to death.

[shoujoboy-2009]

I'll just douse my pillows in hand sanatizer. That stuff kills everything.

[petesis]

Gee a hypochondriac whose children have allergies. Who would have guessed.
Just sleep on the *** things and let your body adapt to the local flora and fauna. Too much cleanliness actually decreases resistance.

[dukeudevil]

Good story and info. Funny, but having these very thoughts in mind, I threw away my old pillows just yesterday.

SayWhyNot, visit your local library for videos about all the microscopic cooties which make your bed (and your body) a very comfy home. After removing any ignorances, you'll probably take the article a bit more seriously afterward.

[saywhynot]

Absolutely ludicrous. Save your money on a new pillow and donate it to a charity who is helping starving children in Darfur. This does nothing but aid paranoia and self-centeredness. Great marketing, CBS, but why not deal with serious problems? Where'd Susan Koeppen get the story? Sears? Walmart?