Is TikTok's Trick For Putting A Pillowcase On Genius Or Common Sense?

Has putting on a pillowcase always been second nature? One day you just pop your pillow into the fabric, and that's how you do it forever. Like other habitual tasks, your chosen method for assembling your bedding rarely seems to require change. However, what if you found an even easier way to insert your pillows into their cases — one so clever that it makes you question why you never tried it before?  

The latest TikTok hack involves applying a chopping motion to "pinch" the portion of the pillow you're inserting first. Put your hand in a flat position, turn it perpendicular to your pillow, and use the edge of your hand to make a chopping motion, similar to the popular pillow chop method used on throw pillows. Next, grab the taco-shaped pillow, and slide it into the case quickly and efficiently, saving a little extra shimmying in the process. All you have to do is pull it up the rest of the way, and your task is finished.

Now, here's the big question: Is this a revolutionary trick, or just the commonsense approach you've already been doing all these years? If the internet is any indication, there's no one, single answer to the question of what the "right" way to dress your pillow is, but let's compare it to a few other methods. 

So, how does this hack compare to other pillowcase applications? One of the most popular methods is to turn your pillowcase inside out, then grab each corner of one end of the cushion and flip the fabric over onto it, removing the need to shove your pillow down into the far end of the case. This option is certainly effective, but it does still require you to tug the material down over your fluffy head rest, creating the need for a little extra elbow grease if you have an especially thick pillow. 

Some people recommend scrunching all of the fabric up so you're holding the top and bottom opening together in each hand. Then, tuck two corners of the pillow into the corners of the case. This is a similar tactic to the inside out method, but you don't need take the extra step of flipping the case inside out. Again, this option leaves a lot to be desired, as you're still stuck tugging the whole thing down and around the cushion. 

The chop style already gets the majority of your work done for you, making it super quick to finish the job and move on to the next. If you are someone who covets saving time, this is definitely a practice you want to incorporate into your tidying cache. Anything that saves you extra energy, especially if you have a lot of pillows to get through, is worth a try.

The chop-style TikTok hack is so simple it seems unbelievable this wasn't how more people were taught to put on a pillow case. It will probably work best with down stuffing or polyester filling. It can work with memory foam and buckwheat, but the minute you lift your buckwheat the hulls will shift so you should lay it flat before chopping, and then shimmy it in. Keep in mind that the latex foam will quickly reshape into its original form, so you will need to insert it quickly to take advantage of the narrow end.

Overall, it seems the Internet wins again: If you, like so many of us, have just been shoving your pillow into the case with sheer muscle and gravity, this method hopefully feels like a lifesaver. Meanwhile, if you've been doing it already? Well, looks like you should keep it up. Along with other tricks like Nate Berkus' duvet hack, you will want to add this one to your stockpile of bedding application and tidying techniques.