How Often Should You Replace Your Pillow?

The cozy pillow you dream on every night harbors some unpleasant things, dried saliva, dead skin cells, dust mites, sweat, and pet fluff. You may not be able to see many of these things (apart from the stains) but they can harm your sleep health and physical health by activating allergies. If you’re wondering, how often should you replace your pillows? We delve into the topic further, here.  

What makes old pillows unhealthy is the accumulation of dead skin cells, saliva, dust mites, and dander

How Often Should Bed Pillows Be Replaced?  

Replacing your pillows every 1-2 years ensures you’re sleeping on a clean and healthy surface. Allowing saliva, sweat, and dust mites to accumulate on your pillows activate allergies and can cause skin problems. If it’s not providing adequate support, it may be time to replace it with a fresh supportive pillow. 

Why Is it Important to Replace Your Pillow?

You spend 7-9 hours enjoying your cozy pillow and mattresses every night. What makes old pillows unhealthy is the accumulation of dead skin cells, saliva, dust mites, and dander. Breathing this in and skin contact on the pillow can cause allergies and skin problems like acne. 

Consider replacing pillows if there is:

• Build-up of odors 
• You think dust-mites are present
• There is a lack of long-term neck support
• The pillow is flat and/or lumpy  

When Is it Time to Replace Your Pillow? 

How long should you keep a pillow? Take a good look at your pillow and how you feel when you wake up in the morning. If you notice any of the following, it may be time to consider replacing pillows.

• Permanent stains
• Noticeable lumps
• Waking up with a stiff or sore neck
• Sneezing related to dust mites
• Waking up with headaches
• Constantly having to fluff the pillow
• Pillow can be folded in half
• Increase in acne

How Long Are Pillows Supposed to Last?

Average Lifespan of Different Brands of Pillows

• Nolah: 3+ years 
• Purple: 2-3 years 
• Nectar: 2-3 years 
• Casper: 2-3 years 
• Leesa: 2-3 years 
• Layla: 2-3 years 

How often should you buy new pillows will be determined on the type of pillow and how it’s being treated

How Choosing the Right Pillow Can Improve Your Sleep

Changing pillows:

• Reduces allergies
• Improves neck and back pain
• Better quality sleep
• Alleviate neck and back strain 
• Could improve headaches 

How often should you buy new pillows will be determined on the type of pillow and how it’s being treated. How often should you replace bed pillows will be much less if you’re using a pillow protector and cleaning bedding regularly.  If you suffer from neck pain choosing the best pillow for neck pain will be important.  Like our Nolah Squishy Pillow which features flexible foam cut into small cubes for maximum breathability and complete customization. 

How to Take Good Care of a Pillow 

• Wash your pillows regularly if machine washable, every 3-6 months 
• Wash your pillowcases regularly in hot water
• Use a pillow protector and wash regularly 
• Change your pillowcases every 3 days if you suffer from skin problems like acne and psoriasis 

How Often Should You Clean Your Pillow?

Cleaning your pillow regularly keeps allergies at bay and can prolong the lifespan of the pillow. Wash your pillows every 3-6 months. Check the label and machine wash on a hot cycle or dry clean if necessary. A clean pillow could also improve skin problems by sleeping on a clean surface every night.  

How to Properly Clean Your Pillow

How long do pillows last will depend on how often you wash your pillow? To clean adequately, remove the pillowcase and wash it on a hot setting. Vacuum the pillow, treat any stains, and machine wash on a hot setting if possible. Otherwise a professional dry clean will remove stains and freshen the pillow     

How to Protect Your Pillow 

When should you throw away a pillow will be less of a concern if your pillow is protected. A pillow protector can prolong the lifespan of your pillow and limit allergies and skin conditions. A mattress protector, clean sheets, and pillowcases can also keep your pillow clean, comfortable, and could prolong its lifespan.   

What to Do with Old Pillows

• Donate old pillows
• Use the interior for protection when storing fragile items
• Re-purpose them as knee pads 
• Create pet bedding from an old pillow
• Re-purpose to a comfy floor cushion

Bonus: How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress and Bedsheets?

Washing your sheets once per week ensures a clean and healthy sleep surface. Replace your sheets when they become uncomfortable, worn out, or have stains that can not be removed.  Consider a pair of sheets made out of bamboo such as the Nolah Bamboo Sheet Set which are moisture wicking,  hypoallergenic and antimicrobial.  There are many different bedding types that offer different benefits and feel.

How often should you replace a memory foam pillow is a concern for those wondering how long do memory foam pillows last. if you live in a cold climate, memory foam can get firm and uncomfortable. To counteract this, you can ensure your bedroom is kept at a cozy temperature. A bedroom of 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit is an optimal and comfortable sleep temperature.  

Memory foam pillow lifespan can be prolonged with regular cleaning and the use of a pillow protector

Conclusion 

Memory foam pillow lifespan can be prolonged with regular cleaning and the use of a pillow protector. How long do feather pillows last will be determined on how you treat your pillows and bedding. Using mattress and pillow protectors, regular washing of bedclothes and regular mattress cleaning is vital to prolonging your bedding system’s lifespan. 

If you’re wondering how often should you replace your pillows if you have allergies? You may need to replace them more regularly. If your allergies are triggered by aging bedding, wash your pillows, mattress, and sheets. A mattress and pillow protector are crucial to keeping allergies at bay. Keeping your bedding clean and enjoying fresh clean sheets creates a cozy sleep space. Sleeping well is vital to your overall health and wellbeing that starts with a clean and comfortable mattress and clean bedding.