Can We Put A Pillowcase On A Cooling Pillow (Makes Sense!?)

By / Tips & Bits

So you may have purchased one of those cooling pillows to combat the heat. But a “big question mark moment” suddenly appears – Does it even make sense to put a pillowcase on a cooling pillow? Won’t that affect or reduce the cooling?

We can and should put a pillowcase on a cooling pillow, it is recommended to do so for better hygiene. It protects the pillow from dust and dirt, extends the life span, and makes it easier to clean.

Yes, a cooling pillow is still a pillow. There’s no reason to not use a pillowcase. But of course, if you use a pillow protector and pillowcase together, the thickness may still take some of the cooling away. Just how should we protect the pillow then? Read on for more!

 

 

DOES A PILLOWCASE REDUCE THE COOLING?

First, here’s an upfront confession – This is only a personal experience of mine, not some conclusive research or results of an extensive poll. Being a huge fan of cleanliness, I have once put a (waterproof) pillow cover and pillowcase over a gel cooling pillow.

Not being in direct contact with the gel pad seems to somewhat “dampen” the cooling effect. But overall, the gel pillow is still cooler than the “normal pillows”. My simple educated conclusion is – Thick materials do somewhat reduce the cooling effect, but it’s not bad enough to turn a cooling pillow into a “normal pillow”.

 

WHY IT’S WISE TO USE A PILLOWCASE

  • A pillowcase will protect the pillow by absorbing some sweat, oil, dirt, and dandruff.
  • Regularly changing/washing the pillowcase will slow down bacteria growth and prevents dust mites.
  • Meaning, better health, and hygiene.
  • Also, it is much easier to wash the pillowcase, rather than cleaning the entire pillow.
  • As a result of all of the above, it prolongs the pillow’s lifespan.

Long story short, it’s smarter and better to use pillowcases. It’s that simple of an answer.

 

 

CAN’T WE JUST SLEEP WITHOUT A PILLOWCASE?

Well, nobody is stopping you if you really insist. But just why?

  • Dust, dirt, oils, drool, and sweat will accumulate faster on the pillow.
  • That will attract dust mites, promote bacteria growth, and maybe even mold.
  • All kinds of health and hygiene issues will pursue – Skin rashes, allergic reactions, acne, irritation, headaches, etc…
  • It’s difficult to clean the pillow properly.
  • Even with regular cleaning, it will just ruin and wear the pillow out faster.

Using a pillowcase simply comes with more benefits – It’s cleaner, healthier, easier to clean, and it extends the pillow lifespan. They don’t really reduce the cooling that much anyway. If you are really concerned, then choose a good “cooling pillowcase” to complement the cooling pillow.

 

FABRICS THAT COMPLEMENT THE COOLING PILLOW

So which fabrics will better complement a cooling pillow?

  • Cotton – One of the most commonly used fabrics in the world. While cotton is not the “softest and most luxurious” fabric, it is very affordable and works well for hot climates. It absorbs moisture and is breathable.
  • Linen – Another common fabric. Linen is often said to be “more durable cotton, at the expense of being not as smooth”. That said, linen absorbs moisture fast, it dries fast too. No sweaty icky sticky feeling.
  • Bamboo Fiber – A natural fabric that touts itself as “renewable and eco-friendly”. Popular for its durability, becomes softer with usage, and is breathable.

 

 

FABRICS THAT ARE NOT IDEAL FOR THE COOLING PILLOW

Which fabrics are not good for hot climates then? Which are the ones to avoid for a cooling pillow?

  • Silk – Silk has a reputation for being “soft and luxurious”, and “good for skin and hair”. But there’s a problem, it does not do that well with sweat. Beads of sweat will literally “stick” on the fabric. Skip the silk entirely, unless you are willing to wash and air the silk pillowcase very often.
  • Synthetic (Nylon, Polyester) – For the uninitiated, synthetic fabrics are man-made. That is, made from plastics. As you may already know, plastics repel moisture. Although some synthetic fabrics have some natural cotton/linen/bamboo mixed in, they are still not as breathable.
  • Velvet – Let’s just say that velvet traps heat. Period.

 

HOW TO CHOOSE A PILLOWCASE

Still confused about which pillowcase to get? Here’s a quick “checklist”.

  • Captain Obvious at your service, what is the size of your pillow? The common sizes are:
    • Standard (20 X 26″ or  51 X 66 cm)
    • Super Standard (20 X 28″ or 51 X 71 cm)
    • Queen (20 X 30″ or 51 X 76 cm)
    • King (20 X 36″ or 51 X 92 cm)
  • Cotton, linen, or bamboo fiber will do fine, just get one in your budget range.
  • Look for the pillowcases that specifically say “hypoallergenic” if you are sensitive to dust and dirt.
  • Look for “cooling pillowcase” or “cool touch pillowcase”. Those will go with the cooling pillow really well.

 

 

THE END

Thank you for reading, and we have come to the end of this short guide. I hope it has helped to answer your doubts. Good luck and have better nights of sleep!

 

LINKS & REFERENCES