Last updated on November 23rd, 2021
Fact: We spend a third of each day on our pillows, which is a whole lot of time. But if you can’t remember when you last changed your pillow, you aren’t alone. For almost all of us, pillows are an afterthought.
But there’s more to replacing your pillows than just basic hygiene. Find out more, in this short and dare we say interesting(!) read.
Why Should You Replace Your Pillows At All?
While we dream sweet dreams every night on our pillow, our body is busy shedding dead skin cells, hair, and body oils, which our pillows uncomplainingly absorb. This doesn’t just cause stains and smells, but also forms a perfect breeding ground for dust-mites, tempting them to make your pillow their home. Now, these dust-mites aren’t just flat-out gross to be sharing your sleeping space with, but people prone to allergies can find their symptoms worsening. Even with regular washing, (yes, you can toss most pillows into the washer), pillows can’t last forever. Our heavy heads are a big weight to carry night after night and they eventually give in and start to flatten out in spots.
Hope that was convincing enough!
Signs Your Pillow Needs To Go
It’s time to go pillow shopping if you notice any of these things with your old pillow:
• Your pillow has noticeable lumps.
• Your pillow has stains of sweat and/or oil.
• You wake up sneezing every morning.
• You wake up with aches and pains around your neck and shoulders.
• You have to re-fluff your pillow very often to get comfortable. (in case of feather pillows)
• If you fold your pillow in half, it doesn’t bounce back into shape. (in case of feather pillows)
How Often Should You Replace Your Pillows?
The general rule of thumb is to think of replacing your pillows every two years. A plain polyester pillow, however, should be replaced every six months. And a memory foam pillow, if used well, can last for up to 36 months. But if you suffer from allergies, you’ll need to replace your pillow more regularly because you might be overly sensitive to dust-mites.
