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Why does my pillow smell musty?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 17, 2026

Pillows stashed away in a non-breathable material such as plastic, or left in a humid, dark environment for a while, may develop a musty smell. This odor indicates the presence of mildew and sometimes mold.

How do you get the musty smell out of pillows?

If your pillow has a strong odor, spray a 50/50 vinegar and water mix to eliminate the smell. Be sure to spray lightly and let the mix stand for five minutes before blotting the pillow dry with a towel.

Why does my bed smell so musty?

Dust — Dust is made up of all kinds of gross things: dead skin, pollen, pet hair and dander, insects, insect droppings, and dirt. And that's just the start. Not only does dust make your room look and feel dirty, it also affects the quality of your air and can cause a musty smell.

Why does bedroom smell after sleeping?

Why Does My Room Smell After Sleeping? During sleep, your body is trying hard to regulate its temperature which can lead to sweat production. This often causes body odor, so we wake up in a bit of a stinky room. Your mattress and pillows also can absorb a lot of liquid, which can end up smelly, too.

Why do I wake up smelly?

Bad Breath

Waking up with smelly breath is normal. Your body puts out way less saliva, or spit, when you're asleep. Saliva helps get rid of bacteria that cause odors, so your breath might also smell bad when you're hungry or dehydrated. That's because chewing signals the body to make saliva.

18 related questions found

Why do new pillows smell?

Off-Gassing Emissions and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Certain pillows release a chemical smell when you first purchase them, known as “off-gassing.” Memory foam pillows in particular are known for off-gassing. This happens when the chemicals present in the pillow break down and disperse in the air.

Can Old pillows make you sick?

What's Hiding in Your Dirty Pillows and Upholstery? (And Can It Make You Sick?) Pillows and upholstery can carry bacteria, allergens and tiny insects such as dust mites, bed bugs and fleas. Here's how to minimize germs in your home's comfiest places.

Can your pillow make you sick?

Your Pillow

After a long, hard day, you probably let out a sigh of relief when your head hits the pillow. Unfortunately, pillows quickly build up excessive amounts of health busters such as bacteria, mold spores, and dust mites.

Why does my sleep easy pillow smell?

Memory foam is manufactured using polyurethane and several other chemicals, so it isn't surprising that it emits a chemical odor. This “off gassing” of volatile organic compounds is a common and well-documented property of memory foam pillows and mattresses.

Does my pillow have an odor?

Everything from yoga mats to new kayaks will have a significant off-gassing odor upon unboxing, and it is nothing to worry about. However, some products have a stronger odor than others, and MyPillow is one of those products. The smell is strong, we will admit that, but it is not particularly offensive or worrisome.

Do all foam pillows smell?

Simply: no. Memory foam mattresses or sleeping pillows you get right out of the box might first introduce itself with an unpleasant odor. This is resolved with time and ventilation. In a room where the air can vent out (i.e. air conditioning, open windows), the smell will go away naturally in three to seven days.

Why do my pillows smell after washing?

The reason why for instance pillows develop an unpleasant smell after they have been washed and dried, might be that the down and feathers have not been dried completely. In this case it is advisable to wash them again and dry them thoroughly until they are completely dry.

When should you throw away pillows?

Although Greatist suggests you swap out pillows every six months, the National Sleep Foundation has a compromise for you, if you're fully unwilling to purchase a new pillow that often: Wash your pillow (yes, the full pillow, not just the pillowcase) once every six months, and then throw it out and buy a new one every ...

Do pillows get mold?

Pillows left in storage or in damp environments for long periods may end up with ugly and potentially harmful mold and mildew spots that you need to remove before you can use the pillow again. Prevent mold and mildew on pillows by drying completely before using and airing them out in humid environments.

Why do pillows turn yellow?

Pillows turn yellow because of sweat. There are other reasons why a pillow may start to turn yellow including falling asleep with wet hair, lotions and oils on the skin, and moisture. When moisture or sweat remains on the pillow for long periods of time, the pillow will turn yellow.

How do you get the smell out of new pillows?

Baking Soda Solution Baking soda — the same type used to deodorize a refrigerator — also helps de-fume memory foam. After airing out the memory foam, sprinkle baking soda all over the mattress, topper or pillow and allow it to sit for an hour or so. Vacuum away the baking soda with an upholstery brush attachment.

How much bacteria is on your pillow?

Across the study, an average pillow had more than 350,000 potentially live bacteria colonies. While most of those bacteria are harmless, the researchers did find some pillows with live bacteria colonies that are known to be highly toxic and even fatal.

How often should you wash your bedroom pillows?

How Frequently Should Pillows Be Washed? The consensus among experts seems to be that the average person should throw their pillow in the washing machine two to three times per year (so about once every four to six months).

Why does my bedroom smell sour in the morning?

Dirty clothes, pet urine, moisture, sweat, mildew, inadequate ventilation, dirty trash cans, and mold spores could be causing your room to smell sour.

Why am I waking up with musty?

Sleeping In A Dry Room Causes Excess Oil Production

Sleeping in a room that's dry and arid actually forces your body to make more oil, which makes you feel clammy and unclean upon awakening.

Why does my husband smell like vinegar?

A person's sweat may smell like vinegar because of health conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, or skin infections. A person's diet may also influence the way their sweat smells.

Does mold smell like mildew?

The smell of mold is typically described as “musty.” It's a stale and damp scent that lingers in the air. It's one of the first and the clearest sign of mold or mildew. If the initial scent is not very pungent, then it's likely that the mold has just started to form.

Why does my daughter's room smell?

Most kid smells are caused by the buildup of bacteria and sweat. To keep those smells from compounding on themselves, you need to air out your child's bedroom regularly. Opening their bedroom door will help, but it will also drag those bad smells into the rest of your home.

How do you wake up smelling good?

How to Smell Good: 18 Ways to Smell Fresh All Day

  1. Drink Plenty of Water. ...
  2. Spritz in the Closet. ...
  3. Store a Scented Sachet in Your Underwear Drawer. ...
  4. Perfume Your Hairbrush. ...
  5. Spray Your Bare Torso with Fragrance. ...
  6. Blend with Other Favorite Scents. ...
  7. Apply Lightly Scented Deodorant. ...
  8. Use Shoe Spray.