How to keep your pillows from making you sick

Mai Martinez, WBBM

Tools

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Mar 26, 2008 at 1:37 PM EST

Story Updated: Mar 26, 2008 at 1:37 PM EST

(CBS) Sure they're soft and fluffy, and most of us have one or two we love, but your pillow could be making you sick. That's because pillows are the perfect place for dust mites and fungi to grow and multiply.

"These things live off the scales of our skin,” said Dr. Robert Naclerio of the University of Chicago Medical Center.

The idea of all the unwelcome bed mates was disturbing to many people looking forward to cuddling up with their favorite pillow tonight.

"14 years I've had it,” said Imad Elkhativ of his pillow. ”I can't give it up right now."

"I have horrible allergies, and I will not be sleeping on those pillows tomorrow night,” said Lisa Drucker.

"Tonight when I get home, I'm going to take my pillows off the bed and fold a couple of sheets and use that instead,” said Danny Johnson.

But if you just can't bear to part with your favorite pillow there are things you can do. One option is to stick it in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer to kill the mites and other germs.

"By freezing them you take away their food and water and they die,” explained Dr. Naclerio.

But some folks say the freezer just isn't an option.

“I have pretty big down pillows you know, and I'm not quite sure if my pillow would fit in the freezer at this point,” said Harriet Blattner.

If you're in that same boat, don't worry, doctors say you can also wash your pillows in very hot water to kill the germs and mites or buy special impermeable pillow cases to keep them out.

But some folks say they're not taking any chances.

“I'm going shopping tomorrow to buy new pillows,” Drucker said.

More Good Stuff

WSBT Weather

Current Temp 35.0

More Weather

WSBT Weather

More Weather

On Demand

iPhone
Get the WSBT News and Irish Sports Report apps for your iPhone! Read more »
On DVD
Order a DVD of a WSBT news story! Read more »
Twitter
Follow us on Twitter! Read more »
Facebook
Connect with us on Facebook! Read more »
WSBT E-News
Daily StormTracker e-mails right to your Inbox! Read more »
Video On Demand
Miss a story on WSBT News? Watch it here! Read more »
CBS Shows
Watch CBS shows and news online, free! Read more »
WSBT Alert
Breaking News & Weather right to your cell phone! Read more »
Mobile
WSBT News on the go for your cell phone or PDA. Read more »
RSS Feeds
Get news and updates as soon as they're published. Read more »

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.