What are Pillow Cases?
Pillow cases are covers which are designed to be slipped over pillows. There are a number of reasons to use pillow cases, ranging from the desire to maintain a hygienic environment to a cheap way to switch up interior décor. Many home supply stores sell pillow cases, and it is also possible to make pillow cases by hand, for people who want to use specific fabrics or create special designs. There are a wide range of styles and types of pillow case available.
One of the main reasons to use pillow cases rather than using pillows as-is is hygiene. A pillow case can easily be removed for washing or replacement, while pillows are challenging to wash. Pillow cases trap grease from hair along with dirt and other materials, preventing them from reaching the pillow filling. Using pillow cases also reduces the risk of spreading certain diseases, as the cases can be changed between users so that people don't pick up lice, scabies, colds, and a wide variety of other unpleasant medical problems from used pillows.
People with allergies may use specialized pillow cases which are designed to reduce allergies. These pillow cases can include hypoallergenic pillow covers which prevent dust mites from getting out of the pillow filling, along with pillow cases made from hypoallergenic materials which will not trigger an allergic event.
Aesthetic reasons can be another factor in the use of pillow cases. A typical pillow is not very exciting to look at, since it's simply a stuffed packet of plain material. A pillow case can totally change the look and feel of a pillow, and people can change pillow cases on ornamental pillows to create a change of mood in a public room. For example, people might use colorful silk pillow cases on throw pillows in the living room to liven the room up for guests, or change the pillow cases on bed pillows to match a change of bedding.
Some pillow cases zip up, snugly covering the pillow inside. Pillow cases with velcro, ties, and other fastenings are available. Others may be open, or designed with a small flap which folds over the pillow once it has been inserted into the pillow case. An advantage to pillow cases that close is that the pillow will not be exposed during use, which can be a problem with open pillow cases. However, open pillow cases fit a range of pillow types and sizes, since they are not designed for a snug fit, so they can be more versatile.
Written by S.E. Smith
