Mystery specks on pillow cases

[Boduryan]

What on Earth are these black specks on our pillow cases?

First off, I’m fairly confident they are not from bedbugs. I did freak out initially thinking that might be the case but we’ve never found any other evidence of bugs whatsoever (believe me, we’ve looked). Looking closely, they are quite black rather than brown & they don’t streak or smudge.

We’ve had them occur several times over last few years. They don’t come out in the wash even with prewash soak. I now only buy cheapo pillow cases & chuck them out if marks occur, which I don’t like doing as it’s very wasteful.

My best guess is they’re from my mascara. But I always wash my face before bed. DH also not convinced as they appear on his pillow too - but pillows can get mixed up?

We also considered they were from washing machine but we’ve moved house and a have a new (came with the house) machine. Plus we ONLY get them on pillow cases.

Is there some other obvious cause I’m overlooking?

Mould from the pillows?

I don’t think it’s mould but I don’t know enough to rule it out. (Pillows & pillow protectors are in very good condition.)

Mascara.

I also clean my face thoroughly before bed but you never get all the mascara fibres off.

All my pillow cases have the same spots and for some reason a really hot wash and stain removers wont get rid of them.

Headlice poo?

Have you dyed your hair dark? I recently had mine done and I thought it was all washed out, went to bed with damp hair and woke up to find little flecks of dye on pillow case.

Mascara! I have them on my pillowscases but not my husbands.

Do you have a cat? Flea poo looks a bit like that, wet it and if it turns red it's poo. Or could it be fluff from black clothing?

Thanks for all the suggestions. Hearing others had similar experiences, I’m now pretty convinced it’s my mascara - specifically a tubing mascara I use intermittently. I’ve just tried some very patient scrubbing & managed to get most of it out. No more wasting pillow cases!