# Poll: Pillowcase Orientation and more **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 15, 2011, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515 "2011-06-15T02:05:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/21 "2011-06-15T12:59:26Z")
Zipper? WTH? I never in my life had a pillow case with a zipper on it. šŸ˜• The only thing I prefer is to have the tag of the pillow down in the closed end of the pillow case. Even that isnā€™t a ā€œmustā€ but a mild preference. Seriously, Iā€™ll have my eyes closed when youā€™re sleeping on it. None of this kind of stuff matters. I donā€™t even care if the sheets match, as long as theyā€™re clean. ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/22 "2011-06-15T13:05:41Z")
The zipper probably isnā€™t on the pillowCASE itself, but rather a separate pillow PROTECTOR which is usually an unadorned white cotton thing that goes over the pillow itself and under the case. You can use them to protect expensive pillows from getting grubby from hair oils etc. or some are made to block allergens (like dust mites) from getting into your pillows. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/23 "2011-06-15T13:06:03Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > You forgot ā€œtoward the outside of the bed.ā€ > > And itā€™s ā€œorient,ā€ not ā€œorientate.ā€ > > The Dope, where no nit goes unpicked. What she said. Really? Now that I say it out loud, ā€œorientateā€ does sound odd. Nitpick: The Straight Dope. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/24 "2011-06-15T13:09:53Z")
ā€œā€¦when Iā€™m sleeping on itā€. Gah! ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/25 "2011-06-15T13:13:14Z")
As for the poll, I like to have the pillow tag (although I usually snip them off) or the zipper side of a pillow protector stuffed into the closed side of the pillowcase. Once on the bed I donā€™t care if the open end faces left or right. TP, however, must unroll from the top. At work, if the cleaning lady puts the TP in backwards I will feel compelled to pop the roll out and put it back the right way because Iā€™m just that crazy. I also did vote for _thereā€™s something wrong with worrying about it._ ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/26 "2011-06-15T13:19:11Z")
> [@chizzuk](#): > > This has never occurred to me before in my entire life. This. Thereā€™s no right or wrong on the toilet paper issue, but I can understand why people have their preferences. Thereā€™s no right or wrong on the pillowcase issue either, and I canā€™t even fathom why anybody would care one little bit. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/27 "2011-06-15T17:03:13Z")
The open end of the pillowcase should be on the side you donā€™t see when you enter the room, e.g. if you enter the room from the left, the opening should be on the right. That way a visitor isnā€™t traumatized by the sight of the naked end of the pillow. And regarding the pillow itself: The end that contains a zipper or a tag should go into the pillowcase first, so it is hidden. And the toilet paper comes over the top. ---
**Author:** ![Kyrie\_Eleison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kyrie_eleison/32/7682_2.png) [@Kyrie\_Eleison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyrie_Eleison)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/28 "2011-06-15T18:20:49Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Metal zipper? You put the pillow inside a zippered case and then inside \*another \*case? Yup, the ā€œpillow protectorā€ things that **ugly ripe tomato** mentioned. I didnā€™t know such things existed until I got married, but, oh boy, do I know all about the proper way to make a bed now. And by ā€œproperā€ of course I mean ā€œthe way the missus wants it.ā€ ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/29 "2011-06-15T20:58:23Z")
I flip my pillows all the time. I donā€™t care which way the case is facing. One of my pillows (I sleep with 2 under my head) doesnā€™t even have a case. Donā€™t care. But the TP should come down the front, so itā€™s easier to reach. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/30 "2011-06-15T23:58:58Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > Thereā€™s no right or wrong on the pillowcase issue either, and I canā€™t even fathom why anybody would care one little bit. I suspect most of us donā€™t care one little bit, but that doesnā€™t mean there isnā€™t a right and wrong. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/31 "2011-06-16T01:26:55Z")
> [@Kyrie\_Eleison](#): > > I didnā€™t know such things existed until I got married, but, oh boy, do I know all about the proper way to make a bed now. Man. In all my 51 years of living, I have never heard of such. I couldnā€™t have a nekkid pillow on my bed. The scalp secretes oils and whatnot which make 'em yellow if theyā€™re not covered. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/32 "2011-06-16T02:54:02Z")
Many years ago I worked in a hospital wing that was not air-conditioned. The nurses on the floor instructed me to place the open end of the pillow case facing away from the window, so that dust and pollen blowing in from outside wouldnā€™t lodge in the pillow and annoy patients with allergies. (As in, you could close their window and change their sheets, but it would be harder to get crud out of the pillow.) But thatā€™s a pretty specific and technical reason for anyone to have a preference. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/33 "2011-06-16T06:15:26Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > How does left or right not cover your own pillow? If I was asking about all the pillows on the bed I could see your point, butā€¦ I have two pillows, partially overlapping to sleep on. The open ends of the pillowcases are facing the outsides of the bed. So, one right, one left. That better? šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/34 "2011-06-16T15:20:16Z")
I answered either is fine. I do, on the other hand, have to have my pillowcase opening away from the fan blowing at my wifeā€™s face, otherwise it will inflate. Even without the wind, I prefer pillow cases that button down. (Be sure to have the pillowā€™s zipper on the inside. Itā€™s not fun waking up with ā€œYKKā€ imprinted on your face.) ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/35 "2011-06-16T18:52:46Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > Open ends to the outside of the bed. Iā€™m the only one sleeping in this bed, with four pillows, so when I get ready to sleep, two pillows go in the middle, opening to the right, and one pillow on each side, opening towards the bottom. Sort of an upside-down U. > > And toilet paper goes over the top, not down the back where it hangs against the wall and you have to scrabble around for it. **kittenblue** , we were separated at birth. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515/36 "2011-06-16T19:35:08Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > Open to the outside of the bed. Pillows on the right to the right; left toward left side of bed. This is how my wife does it. She who makes the bed can arrange things however she wants. I like my pillow the opposite way (openning to the inside) so I flip it when I get in bed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-pillowcase-orientation-and-more/585515.md?page=1)