What’s Really Inside Your Pillow? A Houston Guide to Healthier Sleep
What’s Living in Your Pillow Every night, you shed thousands of dead skin cells that become food for dust mites – microscopic bugs invisible to the naked eye. Add in moisture from sweat, and you’ve created the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Not the most pleasant thought to have right before bed, I know. After about two to three years, these contaminants can make up a surprisingly large portion of your pillow’s weight. What Scientists Found Researchers at the University of Manchester studied ten used pillows and published their findings in the medical journal Allergy. The results? Every…
photo by Krzysztof Szkurlatowski Off-gassing is when toxic chemicals evaporate from your mattress into the air. As traditional mattresses with polyurethane foam and chemical flame retardants age, they off-gas these carcinogenic chemicals into the air you and your family breathe. These mattresses can contain fire-retardant formaldehyde, other chemicals, and toxic glues, stains, and coatings made from petroleum, oil-based polyurethane foam. Over time, these chemicals off-gas their ingredients into your bedroom air. You Can’t Smell Off-Gassing You can’t always smell it. Bacteria and fungus can consume…
