A seemingly innocent bedtime ritual has sparked global debate after a popular U.S. influencer described the common pajama-storage habit as “gross.” The viral TikTok video revealed that many Australians routinely store their pajamas under their pillows, a practice that left thousands of Americans stunned.
The TikTok That Started It All
Brett Chody, a 25-year-old content creator with over 200,000 followers, posted a clip reacting to a poll shared by the podcast We Met At Acme, hosted by Lindsey Metselaar. The poll asked people what they do with their pajamas after wearing them — with options including washing them, putting them back in a drawer, or placing them under or behind their pillow.
To Brett’s surprise, the under-the-pillow option was winning by a wide margin.
“I have genuinely never once in my life heard of anyone putting pajamas under or behind their pillow after you wear them,” Chody said in her viral video. “Can someone explain? Because I feel like I’m going insane… I’m shook over this.”
Within hours, the clip racked up hundreds of thousands of views and divided viewers along cultural lines.
According to The New York Post, many commenters insisted the practice was completely normal — particularly among Australians.
Cultural Divide Over Pajama Storage
The comment section quickly turned into a cultural showdown. Australians flocked to defend the practice as a longstanding household habit, while Americans found it baffling.
“Thought this was an Australian thing,” one commenter wrote.
“Aussie here. Pjs go under my pillow,” another replied.
Others questioned what the alternative would be.
“Wait, where are you putting them then? Why would you put pjs you’ve already worn back in your wardrobe??” one user asked.
Still, many sided with Chody, calling the idea “unhygienic” and “weird.”
“I feel like I’m being gaslit. No way this is real,” one viewer said.
Another added, “Why aren’t we washing them?”
Expert Weighs In: Is It Really Unhygienic?
While the internet remains divided, cleaning expert Chantel Mila, known online as @mama_mila_au, says there’s nothing wrong with keeping pajamas under the pillow — within reason.
“I’ve heard of people keeping their pj’s under their pillow and honestly, it can be a handy little bedtime hack to save time at night,” Mila told news.com.au. “Particularly with kids, it helps make the night-time routine a little quicker.”
However, she cautioned that personal hygiene and sleeping habits should guide the choice.
“If you tend to get hot or sweaty while you sleep, you might prefer to wash your pj’s after every wear,” she said. “Generally, washing them every two to three wears is a good balance and keeps things fresh and hygienic.”
Hygiene Tips for Pajama Lovers
Experts recommend a few simple steps for maintaining bedtime hygiene:
- Wash pajamas every two to three wears to prevent bacteria build-up.
- Avoid storing sleepwear under pillows if you sweat at night or have allergies.
- Rotate sets of pajamas to keep fabrics fresh and breathable.
- Keep pillowcases clean by washing them weekly, especially if storing clothing underneath.
The viral video continues to fuel lighthearted debate online, with Australians proudly defending their tradition and Americans wondering if they’ve been missing out on a global bedtime hack.
What do you think — is storing pajamas under your pillow clever or a little gross? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
