Your pillowcase might be making you sick: Harvard-trained gut-doctor drops eye-opening hygiene checklist for a healthier, cleaner you

If you can’t recall the last time you cleaned your pillowcase or replaced your toothbrush, a Harvard-trained doctor says it’s probably long overdue. Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist, recently shared a simple yet revealing hygiene guide on Instagram — and it’s sparking conversations about how neglecting basic cleaning routines can quietly affect your health.

Hygiene starts at home
Dr. Sethi, who trained at Harvard and Stanford after completing his MBBS from AIIMS New Delhi, emphasized that cleanliness is more than a cosmetic habit — it’s a health necessity. “If you don’t remember the last time you cleaned these, you need to watch this,” he begins in the video.

From underwear to pillowcases, he laid out how often everyday items should be washed or replaced to prevent bacterial buildup, skin irritation, and even poor sleep quality.

The clean-up checklist
According to Dr. Sethi’s guide:

• Underwear should be washed after every wear. “No excuses,” he says.
• Bedsheets need cleaning once a week since they accumulate sweat and dead skin nightly.
• Pillowcases, often overlooked, should be washed every 3–4 days, particularly if you have oily skin or acne.
• Pillows themselves should be washed every 3–6 months and replaced every 1–2 years as they soak up sweat and drool.
• Blankets require washing every 1–2 months to remove dust and oils.
• Jeans can go for four wears before needing a wash — unless they smell or feel dirty.
• Towels should be washed after every three uses and replaced every six months.
• Toothbrushes must be replaced every three months or earlier if the bristles fray.

Why it matters
Dr. Sethi explained that these seemingly small habits have a big impact on gut and skin health. Items like pillowcases and towels harbor bacteria, fungi, and dust mites that can aggravate acne, allergies, and even digestive issues indirectly linked to microbial imbalance. “A wet towel is a germ magnet,” he warns in the post caption.

Experts often point out that maintaining personal hygiene routines is one of the easiest preventive health measures. Clean bedding supports better sleep, regularly washed towels prevent skin infections, and timely toothbrush replacement reduces oral bacteria that can affect digestion.

Dr. Sethi’s takeaway is clear — good health begins with clean surroundings. So before you hit the snooze button tonight, maybe check when you last changed that pillowcase.